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Below Average

#3604 of 3,813 schools in IL

Towanda Elem School

Elementary School · McLean County USD 5

304 S East St, Towanda, IL 61776

Enrollment

198

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#2,168 of 2,326

In district

#19 of 23

McLean County USD 5

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Towanda Elem School

Towanda Elementary School serves 198 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in this close-knit McLean County community. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 and 15 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive personalized attention in their academic journey. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #495 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools.

With an academic score of 8.6 out of 10, Towanda Elementary shows particular strength in providing quality education to its students. In English Language Arts and Reading, 47% of students perform at proficient levels or above across grade levels. The school serves a community where families are invested in education, with 36% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood reflects stability and opportunity, with a median household income of $103,026 and a low poverty rate of just 5.1%. Median home values of $189,100 indicate an affordable yet desirable area for families. Towanda Elementary School operates in a mid-size suburban setting that combines small-town charm with access to broader educational and community resources, creating an environment where students can thrive academically while being part of a supportive community of just over 1,300 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 198 students, Towanda Elem 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-10.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,528

Towanda Elem School — Students at Towanda Elem School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
47%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Towanda Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
6th percentile in IL
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

304 S East St, Towanda, IL 61776

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Towanda Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hudson Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Hudson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stevenson Elem School (rated 7.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Bloomington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colene Hoose Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Normal), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Towanda, see our Towanda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Normal Community High School Normal 2.2 mi 5.7
Grove Elementary School Normal 2.9 mi 5.4
Northpoint Elementary School Bloomington 4.1 mi 6.5
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Bloomington 5.0 mi 6.4
Prairieland Elementary School Normal 4.3 mi 6.0
Sugar Creek Elem School Normal 4.8 mi 6.4
Stevenson Elem School Bloomington 5.4 mi 7.1
BLOOM COMMUNITY SCHOOL Normal 5.1 mi 4.9
MULBERRY SCHOOL Normal 5.1 mi
EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal 5.4 mi 6.8
Colene Hoose Elem School Normal 5.7 mi 7.0
Chiddix Jr High School Normal 5.8 mi 5.8
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Normal 5.7 mi 5.9
Hudson Elem School Hudson 5.7 mi 7.9
Fairview Elem School Normal 5.7 mi 3.1
Benjamin Elem School Bloomington 7.3 mi 6.2
Bloomington High School Bloomington 6.7 mi 6.5
Bloomington Jr High School Bloomington 6.7 mi 6.1
University High School Normal 6.2 mi 7.3
Glenn Elem School Normal 6.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61776 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,354

Median Home Value

$197,600

Median Rent

$942/mo

Population

1,208

College Educated

49.3%

Homeownership

89.9%

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Towanda Elem School has a median household income of $111,354. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,600, with a median rent of $942/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alden Hebron Elem School Hebron, IL 4.2
Carlinville Intermediate School Carlinville, IL 4.2
Centennial School El Paso, IL 4.2
Coles Elem Language Academy Chicago, IL 4.2
Hamel Elementary School Hamel, IL 4.2
Harding Primary School Monmouth, IL 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Towanda Elem School

What grades does Towanda Elem School serve?

Towanda Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Towanda Elem School?

Towanda Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Towanda Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Towanda Elem School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Towanda Elem School rank in IL?

Towanda Elem School is ranked #3604 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Towanda Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Towanda Elem School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Towanda Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Towanda Elem School has 52.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Towanda Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Towanda Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

14.1% of students at Towanda 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

County Safety
Low (68/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
McLean County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McLean County USD 5
District Enrollment
12,518
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,620
District Rank
#19 of 23

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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