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Excellent

#390 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 10% in state

Waltham Elementary School

Elementary School · Waltham CCSD 185

2902 N Il Route 178, Utica, IL 61373

Enrollment

254

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#275 of 2,326

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Waltham Elementary School

Waltham Elementary School serves 254 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in rural Utica, Illinois. This highly-rated public school maintains an impressive 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an 8.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 177th out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 95th percentile statewide.

With an outstanding 9.3 academic score, Waltham Elementary shows particular strength in literacy, with 57% of students across all grades achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading. Located on North Illinois Route 178, the school serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $100,231 and the poverty rate remains low at just 3.4%. The area's median home value of $211,900 reflects the community's investment in their neighborhood, while 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Waltham Elementary School operates in LaSalle County's peaceful rural setting, where just over 2,100 residents call this close-knit ZIP code home. The combination of small-town values, strong academic achievement, and rural tranquility creates an ideal learning environment for students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Waltham Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,744

Waltham Elementary School — Students at Waltham Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
ELA
57%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Waltham Elementary School Compares

See how Waltham Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in IL
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Location

2902 N Il Route 178, Utica, IL 61373

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waltham Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Deer Park C C Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Ottawa), with a very similar rating. Another option is Jefferson Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Ottawa), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tonica Grade School (rated 7.6/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Tonica), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Utica, see our Utica schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oglesby 4.6 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elem School Oglesby 4.7 mi 5.9
Washington Elem School Oglesby 5.0 mi 5.9
LIGHTED WAY ASSOCIATION La Salle 4.6 mi 6.6
Lincoln Jr High School La Salle 4.7 mi 6.4
TRINITY CATHOLIC ACADEMY La Salle 4.8 mi 7.1
Deer Park C C Elem School Ottawa 6.0 mi 8.3
Northwest Elem School La Salle 4.9 mi 6.5
La Salle-Peru Twp High School La Salle 5.2 mi 6.7
Dimmick Comm Cons SD 175 La Salle 6.5 mi 5.5
Northview Elem School Peru 6.1 mi 4.6
PERU CATHOLIC SCHOOL Peru 6.6 mi 6.7
Parkside Middle School Peru 6.9 mi 5.8
Wallace Elem School Ottawa 7.8 mi 4.3
Tonica Grade School Tonica 9.7 mi 7.6
Lincoln Elem School Ottawa 7.9 mi 3.8
ST BEDE ACADEMY Peru 8.5 mi 7.0
Dalzell Grade School Dalzell 8.5 mi 5.2
MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa 8.6 mi 5.0
Jefferson Elem School Ottawa 8.7 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61373 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,639

Median Home Value

$222,600

Median Rent

$1,310/mo

Population

2,120

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

91.5%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

43.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waltham Elementary School has a median household income of $102,639. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,600, with a median rent of $1,310/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Bernard Long Elem Sch Madison, IL 8.1
Coal City Intermediate School Coal City, IL 8.1
Eagle Ridge School Silvis, IL 8.1
Emerson Elem School Wheaton, IL 8.1
Greenbriar Elem School Chicago Heights, IL 8.1
Huffman Elem School Cahokia, IL 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waltham Elementary School

What grades does Waltham Elementary School serve?

Waltham Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Waltham Elementary School?

Waltham Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waltham Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Waltham Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waltham Elementary School rank in IL?

Waltham Elementary School is ranked #390 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Waltham Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waltham Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Waltham Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waltham Elementary School has 29.5% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waltham Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Waltham Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Waltham Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
LaSalle County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waltham CCSD 185
District Enrollment
254
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,420
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 methodology

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