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#2418 of 3,813 schools in IL

Thomas Paine Elem School

Elementary School · Urbana SD 116

1801 James Cherry Dr, Urbana, IL 61802

Enrollment

362

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Urbana

#6 of 9

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,453 of 2,326

In district

#5 of 8

Urbana SD 116

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Thomas Paine Elem School

Thomas Paine Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Urbana, Illinois. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 362 students and employs 27 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1. Thomas Paine Elem School is situated in a small city setting within Champaign County.

While the school's MySchoolScout Rating stands at 5.0 out of 10, placing it around the 40th percentile among Illinois schools, there are areas for improvement, particularly in academic performance where the rating is just 3.1 out of 10. Students show proficiency rates of 15% in ELA/Reading and 11% in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, Thomas Paine Elem School continues to focus on student development and growth.

The school's location in a small city like Urbana means that it is part of a community rich with educational resources and local support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,850

Thomas Paine Elem School — Students at Thomas Paine Elem School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 14.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
ELA
17%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Thomas Paine Elem School Compares

See how Thomas Paine Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in IL
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

1801 James Cherry Dr, Urbana, IL 61802

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Paine Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carrie Busey Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Savoy), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Champaign), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dr Preston L Williams Jr Elem Sch (rated 6.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Urbana, see our Urbana schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Dr Preston L Williams Jr Elem Sch Urbana 0.7 mi 6.4
Urbana Early Childhood Ctr Urbana 0.7 mi 5.5
Yankee Ridge Elem School Urbana 0.9 mi 4.9
CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Urbana 1.3 mi 5.4
Urbana Middle School Urbana 1.2 mi 6.1
Urbana High School Urbana 1.3 mi 7.1
Leal Elem School Urbana 1.6 mi 5.1
CIRCLE ACADEMY Urbana 2.2 mi 7.0
KINGSWOOD SCHOOL Urbana 2.7 mi
University of Illinois High Sch Urbana 2.4 mi 6.2
M L King Jr Elem School Urbana 2.6 mi 6.3
Washington Elem School Champaign 3.0 mi 5.0
Edison Middle School Champaign 3.5 mi 7.5
ACADEMY HIGH Champaign 3.5 mi 7.2
Champaign Early Chldhd Cntr Champaign 3.7 mi 5.4
Stratton Elementary School Champaign 3.7 mi 5.0
HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Champaign 3.6 mi 6.7
Carrie Busey Elem School Savoy 4.1 mi 7.8
Central High School Champaign 3.9 mi 7.4
South Side Elementary School Champaign 3.8 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61802 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,588

Median Home Value

$158,300

Median Rent

$996/mo

Population

19,502

College Educated

37.8%

Homeownership

55.7%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thomas Paine Elem School has a median household income of $58,588. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,300, with a median rent of $996/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago, IL 5.8
Burley Elem School Chicago, IL 5.8
CICS - Bond Campus Chicago, IL 5.8
Chatham Elem School Chatham, IL 5.8
Chauncey H Duker School Mchenry, IL 5.8
Clissold Elem School Chicago, IL 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Paine Elem School

What grades does Thomas Paine Elem School serve?

Thomas Paine Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Thomas Paine Elem School?

Thomas Paine Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Paine Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Paine Elem School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Paine Elem School rank in IL?

Thomas Paine Elem School is ranked #2418 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Thomas Paine Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Paine Elem School has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Thomas Paine Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Paine Elem School has 11.0% math proficiency and 14.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thomas Paine Elem School a charter school?

No, Thomas Paine Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas Paine Elem School a Title I school?

No, Thomas Paine Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Paine Elem School?

69.9% of students at Thomas Paine Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,049/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Urbana). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Champaign County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Urbana SD 116
District Enrollment
4,393
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,461
District Rank
#5 of 8

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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