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
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
9.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.8%
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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 64.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (309) 776-3790
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Prairie CUSD 103- District Enrollment
- 590
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,021
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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
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