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Excellent

#11 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 1% in state

West Prairie South Elementary Sch

Elementary School · West Prairie CUSD 103

310 S Coal St, Colchester, IL 62326

Enrollment

178

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

9.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colchester

#1 of 3

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#10 of 2,326

In district

#1 of 4

West Prairie CUSD 103

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About West Prairie South Elementary Sch

West Prairie South Elementary School serves 178 students in grades PK through 6 in Colchester, Illinois. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, class sizes stay small — a practical advantage for families who want their children to get consistent attention from teachers. The school's academic performance stands out at a state level.

It ranks 11th out of 3,813 public schools in Illinois and 10th out of 2,326 elementary schools statewide, placing it among the top handful of elementary programs in the entire state. MySchoolScout rates it Exceptional, with a composite score of 9.7 out of 10, a 9.5 in academics, and a perfect 10.0 in growth — meaning students here are not just performing well, they are improving at a rate that outpaces virtually every other school in Illinois. For families in Colchester comparing local options, West Prairie South Elementary is the top-ranked of the three schools in town.

What makes these numbers particularly meaningful is the growth score: a 10.0 signals that students are making measurable academic progress year over year, regardless of where they start. That combination of high achievement and strong growth is rare and worth weighing heavily when evaluating elementary school options.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 178 students, West Prairie South Elementary Sch 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.

Located in a rural area, West Prairie South Elementary Sch 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 Progress10.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+9.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+21.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,253

West Prairie South Elementary Sch — Students at West Prairie South Elementary Sch score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
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
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
ELA
32%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How West Prairie South Elementary Sch Compares

See how West Prairie South Elementary Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.7/10
100th percentile in IL
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

310 S Coal St, Colchester, IL 62326

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Prairie South Elementary Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. La Harpe Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby La Harpe), a more accessible option. Another option is Lincoln Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Macomb), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Prairie North Elementary Sch (rated 7.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Good Hope), a more accessible option. For more schools in Colchester, see our Colchester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
West Prairie Senior High School Colchester 0.2 mi 6.3
West Prairie Junior High School Colchester 0.2 mi 6.0
MacArthur Early Childhood Center Macomb 6.4 mi 5.0
Macomb Middle School Macomb 6.4 mi 6.5
Macomb Senior High School Macomb 6.4 mi 5.5
FIELDS LAB SCHOOL Macomb 7.2 mi
Edison Elementary School Macomb 7.3 mi 5.9
Lincoln Elem School Macomb 7.7 mi 7.3
West Prairie North Elementary Sch Good Hope 11.3 mi 7.2
TRINITY ACADEMY Industry 12.1 mi 6.7
La Harpe Elementary School La Harpe 14.7 mi 8.2
Southeastern Jr/Sr High School Augusta 15.9 mi 5.3
Bushnell-Prairie City High Sch Bushnell 17.4 mi 5.5
Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch Bushnell 17.4 mi 7.0
Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell 17.9 mi 5.9
Southeastern Elementary School Bowen 19.3 mi 5.3
Monmouth-Roseville Jr High Sch Roseville 22.1 mi 4.5
West Central Middle School Stronghurst 22.9 mi 5.0
Illini West High School Carthage 17.9 mi 5.9
Carthage Primary School Carthage 17.9 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62326 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,048

Median Home Value

$116,400

Median Rent

$654/mo

Population

2,317

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

79.2%

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Prairie South Elementary Sch has a median household income of $65,048. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,400, with a median rent of $654/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% 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
Akin Comm Cons Elem School Akin, IL 9.5
C E Miller Elem School Westmont, IL 9.5
Rondout Elem School Lake Forest, IL 9.9
Union Elementary School Joliet, IL 9.9
Cowden-Herrick Grade School Herrick, IL 9.3
Greenview Elementary School Greenview, IL 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Prairie South Elementary Sch

What grades does West Prairie South Elementary Sch serve?

West Prairie South Elementary Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend West Prairie South Elementary Sch?

West Prairie South Elementary Sch has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Prairie South Elementary Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at West Prairie South Elementary Sch is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Prairie South Elementary Sch rank in IL?

West Prairie South Elementary Sch is ranked #11 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is West Prairie South Elementary Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

West Prairie South Elementary Sch has a composite rating of 9.7 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 West Prairie South Elementary Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Prairie South Elementary Sch has 45.8% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Prairie South Elementary Sch a charter school?

No, West Prairie South Elementary Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Prairie South Elementary Sch a Title I school?

No, West Prairie South Elementary Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Prairie South Elementary Sch?

47.8% of students at West Prairie South Elementary Sch 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
McDonough County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Prairie CUSD 103
District Enrollment
590
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,021
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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