Very Good
#714 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 19% in state
Tonica Grade School
Elementary School · Tonica CCSD 79
535 N 1981st Rd, Tonica, IL 61370
Enrollment
123
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
123
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois elementary schools
#467 of 2,326
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Tonica Grade School
Tonica Grade School is a charming elementary school located in the rural community of Tonica, Illinois. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 123 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Tonica Grade School ensures that each child receives individualized attention and support.
The academic performance at Tonica Grade School reflects areas where the school can continue to grow. The MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the state's 54th percentile with a ranking of #1761 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. In terms of proficiency scores, 20% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 14% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school's small size and dedicated staff make it a nurturing environment where students can grow both academically and socially. Tonica Grade School is set amidst the quiet beauty of rural Illinois, offering its students a peaceful and supportive setting for learning.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 123 students, Tonica Grade School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Tonica Grade School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Tonica Grade School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Tonica Grade School — Students at Tonica Grade School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Tonica Grade School Compares
See how Tonica Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
535 N 1981st Rd, Tonica, IL 61370
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tonica Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lostant Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Lostant), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park C C Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Ottawa), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Waltham Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Utica), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tonica, see our Tonica schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Elem School Oglesby | 5.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Lostant Elem School Lostant | 5.4 mi | 8.7 |
| HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oglesby | 5.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincoln Elem School Oglesby | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Deer Park C C Elem School Ottawa | 6.2 mi | 8.3 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC ACADEMY La Salle | 8.0 mi | 7.1 |
| LIGHTED WAY ASSOCIATION La Salle | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| La Salle-Peru Twp High School La Salle | 8.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Lincoln Jr High School La Salle | 8.6 mi | 6.4 |
| PERU CATHOLIC SCHOOL Peru | 8.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Northwest Elem School La Salle | 9.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Northview Elem School Peru | 9.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Parkside Middle School Peru | 9.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Waltham Elementary School Utica | 9.7 mi | 8.1 |
| ST BEDE ACADEMY Peru | 9.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Fieldcrest Middle School Wenona | 11.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Putnam County High School Granville | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Putnam Co Primary Sch Granville | 9.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Putnam County Jr High School Mc Nabb | 9.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Dalzell Grade School Dalzell | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61370 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,917
Median Home Value
$153,300
Median Rent
$850/mo
Population
1,250
College Educated
16.9%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tonica Grade School has a median household income of $82,917. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $850/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Dallas City Elem School Dallas City, IL | 7.6 |
| Emden Elementary School Emden, IL | 7.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Peoria, IL | 7.6 |
| Iroquois West Elem Sch/Thawville Thawville, IL | 7.6 |
| Jefferson Elem School Metropolis, IL | 7.6 |
| Navajo Heights Elem School Palos Heights, IL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tonica Grade School
What grades does Tonica Grade School serve?
Tonica Grade School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Tonica Grade School?
Tonica Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 123 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tonica Grade School?
The student-teacher ratio at Tonica Grade School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tonica Grade School rank in IL?
Tonica Grade School is ranked #714 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Tonica Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tonica Grade School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Tonica Grade School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tonica Grade School has 14.5% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tonica Grade School a charter school?
No, Tonica Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tonica Grade School a Title I school?
No, Tonica Grade School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tonica Grade School?
48.0% of students at Tonica Grade 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 123
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- LaSalle County
- Phone
- (815) 442-3420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tonica CCSD 79- District Enrollment
- 123
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,764
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.