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Below Average

#3380 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

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,380 of 3,813

In Urbana

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Urbana SD 116

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Thomas Paine Elem School

4.3/10

Elementary School in Urbana · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dr Preston L Williams JR Elem Sch

3.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Urbana Early Childhood Ctr

5.5/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas Paine Elem School

Thomas Paine Elem School is a public elementary school in Urbana, IL, part of Urbana SD 116. Thomas Paine Elem School serves approximately 362 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Paine Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,380 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Paine Elem School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Thomas Paine Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,461
Chronic Absenteeism31.8%

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 39.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
47%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
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: 3.2/10.

How Thomas Paine Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
11th percentile in IL
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

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 9.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Savoy), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elem School (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Champaign), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Champaign), which scores notably 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 3.8
Urbana Early Childhood Ctr Urbana 0.7 mi 5.5
Yankee Ridge Elem School Urbana 0.9 mi 3.7
CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Urbana 1.3 mi 5.4
Urbana Middle School Urbana 1.2 mi 3.7
Urbana High School Urbana 1.3 mi 6.3
Leal Elem School Urbana 1.6 mi 5.5
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 4.1
Washington Elem School Champaign 3.0 mi 7.1
Edison Middle School Champaign 3.5 mi 5.7
ACADEMY HIGH Champaign 3.5 mi 7.2
Champaign Early Chldhd Cntr Champaign 3.7 mi 5.5
Stratton Elementary School Champaign 3.7 mi 5.1
HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Champaign 3.6 mi 6.7
Carrie Busey Elem School Savoy 4.1 mi 9.2
Central High School Champaign 3.9 mi 7.8
South Side Elementary School Champaign 3.8 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Annette Officer Elementary East Saint Louis, IL 4.3
Barack Obama Sch of Ldership Chicago Heights, IL 4.3
CROSS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Yorkville, IL 4.3
Clissold Elem School Chicago, IL 4.3
Eastwood Elem School East Alton, IL 4.3
Edison Elementary School Macomb, IL 4.3

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 ranks #3,380 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Thomas Paine Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Paine Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Thomas Paine Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Paine Elem School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

District

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

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