Average
#2459 of 3,813 schools in IL
West Salem Grade School
Elementary School · Edwards County CUSD 1
105 E School St, West Salem, IL 62476
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois elementary schools
#1,476 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 3
Edwards County CUSD 1
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About West Salem Grade School
West Salem Grade School serves 178 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of West Salem, Illinois. This public elementary school maintains a favorable 13.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #411 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide.
With an impressive 9.0 out of 10 academic score, West Salem Grade School significantly outperforms many of its peers across the state. In English Language Arts and Reading, 52% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels. The school draws from a close-knit community where the median household income is $62,829 and median home values are $88,200.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 7.9%, reflecting the stability of this rural Edwards County community. With a ZIP code population of just 1,385 residents, West Salem Grade School serves as an educational cornerstone in this remote rural setting, where families value the personal connections and community atmosphere that smaller schools can provide.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 178 students, West Salem 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.
Located in a rural area, West Salem 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
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Data not available for this school
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West Salem Grade School — Students at West Salem Grade School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
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: 3.8/10.
How West Salem Grade School Compares
See how West Salem Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
105 E School St, West Salem, IL 62476
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Salem Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mount Erie Elem School (rated 9.2/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Erie), which scores notably higher. Another option is Albion Grade School (rated 8.4/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Albion), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EAST ORCHARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Olney), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Salem, see our West Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Albion Grade School Albion | 10.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Edwards County High School Albion | 10.7 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Olney | 14.8 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH Olney | 14.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Richland County High School Olney | 15.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Richland County Elementary School Olney | 15.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Mount Erie Elem School Mount Erie | 12.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Richland County Middle School Olney | 15.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Sumner Attendance Center Sumner | 15.3 mi | 5.2 |
| EAST ORCHARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olney | 16.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Mt Carmel Grade School Mount Carmel | 14.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Mt Carmel Elementary School Mount Carmel | 14.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Grayville Jr Sr High School Grayville | 18.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Wells Elementary School Grayville | 18.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mount Carmel | 15.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Mount Carmel High School Mount Carmel | 15.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Mt Carmel Junior High School Mount Carmel | 15.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Allendale Elementary School Allendale | 16.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Bridgeport Grade School Bridgeport | 18.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Red Hill Jr/Sr High School Bridgeport | 18.7 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62476 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,354
Median Home Value
$88,900
Median Rent
$805/mo
Population
1,279
College Educated
11.1%
Homeownership
88.1%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
48.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Salem Grade School has a median household income of $61,354. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $88,900, with a median rent of $805/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Dan H Pietrini Elem School Franklin Park, IL | 5.7 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL - EXCHANGE Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Kimberly Heights Elem School Tinley Park, IL | 5.7 |
| Lane Elem School Alsip, IL | 5.7 |
| Neoga Elementary School Neoga, IL | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Salem Grade School
What grades does West Salem Grade School serve?
West Salem Grade School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend West Salem Grade School?
West Salem Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Salem Grade School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Salem Grade School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Salem Grade School rank in IL?
West Salem Grade School is ranked #2459 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is West Salem Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Salem Grade School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Salem Grade School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Salem Grade School has 34.5% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Salem Grade School a charter school?
No, West Salem Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Salem Grade School a Title I school?
No, West Salem Grade School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Salem Grade School?
60.7% of students at West Salem 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
- County Safety
- Low (49/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 178
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Edwards County
- Phone
- (618) 456-8881
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Edwards County CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 820
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,485
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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