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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,359

West Salem Grade School — Students at West Salem Grade School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
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
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
52%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in IL
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Edwards County CUSD 1
District Enrollment
820
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,485
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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