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Clara Peterson Elementary School

Q: Is Clara Peterson Elementary School a good school?

Clara Peterson Elementary School ranks 1161 st of 1737 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1161^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,737 Illinois Elementary Schools

Better than 33% of Illinois elementary schools

Summary

In Paxton, Illinois, Clara Peterson Elementary School serves 564 students from pre-K through grade 5, the largest enrollment among the nearby schools compared. Its results point to a specific grade-level concern, not a uniform weakness in math: fifth-grade math proficiency was 19%, compared with 36% statewide and 28% at GCMS Elementary School, 35% at Iroquois West Elementary School/Thawville and 59% at Cissna Park Elementary School. The clearest concern is fifth-grade math: Clara was 17 points below the state, despite stronger math results in earlier grades.

Across all grades, math is Clara’s strongest subject relative to the state: 39.8% proficiency versus 39.6%, a 0.2-point edge, though the result was 1 point below the district. ELA was weaker, at 47% compared with 56% statewide and 57% in the district. Fifth-grade science was also below the state: 34% versus 48%; nearby results were 49% at Iroquois West, 64% at GCMS and 70% at Cissna Park. Clara’s third-grade math was 55%, above the state’s 49%, while fourth-grade math was 44% versus 42% statewide. Nearby schools serve different grade spans, so comparisons are not always like-for-like.

Clara’s math has improved substantially: all-grade proficiency rose from 24% in 2023–2024 to 40% in 2025–2026, moving from 5 points below the state to essentially level with it. ELA rose from 33% to 47%, but the state gap widened from 8 to 9 points. SchoolDigger gives Clara a 2025–2026 statewide percentile of 33 (2 stars), down 25 percentile points from 58 in 2020–2021. Its statewide measure for Female Students, indicating how well the school serves this group, fell to the 15th percentile from 57 in 2023–2024. The 2024–2025 student–teacher ratio was 12.7, among the higher reported nearby ratios. That year, 40% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible, compared with a 67% average among ten nearby schools reporting the same measure; these figures offer context, not an explanation of test results.

564

Students ?

12.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,484

Per pupil spending ?

39.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

96.7%

Measles protection (all grades) (2025-26)

580 E Franklin St
Paxton, IL 60957-1670

(217) 379-2531

District: Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10

Students who attend Clara Peterson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High School
High:	Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.4%

Hispanic:

10.1%

Two or more races:

5.9%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Clara Peterson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 58th percentile in 2021 → 33rd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (40% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 25 percentile points since 2021

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg44%

Illinois avg48%

1,161^st of 1,737

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 25 pts since 2021

From top 42% (2021) to bottom 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

400^th of 738Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	31.7	1161 of 1737	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	43.2	1136 of 2056	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.6	1030 of 2067	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	42.2	1131 of 2077	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	50.7	922 of 2082	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.3	824 of 1948	57.7%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	58.3	326 of 1049	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.6	433 of 886	51.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	17.2	1099 of 1286	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.7	1209 of 1942	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.6	826 of 1942	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.8	875 of 1957	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.1	833 of 1970	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.7	744 of 1680	55.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	50.9	440 of 982	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.9	503 of 970	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	58.5	291 of 954	69.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	34.3	666 of 1001	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.4	933 of 1800	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.2	976 of 1793	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.2	1189 of 1808	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	60.6	540 of 1763	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.5	466 of 1514	69.2%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	27.8	980 of 1311	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	47.3	1000 of 1947	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.0	1085 of 1959	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.4	1225 of 1984	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	48.8	905 of 1977	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.6	829 of 1707	51.4%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	45.0	618 of 1292	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	35.0	737 of 1195	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	44.7	487 of 1113	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.9	291 of 640	54.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	11.8	1074 of 1149	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	21.5	1152 of 1389	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.3	1049 of 1392	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.6	1136 of 1419	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.2	1004 of 1425	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	34.0	904 of 1308	30.9%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2025)69th percentile+24 vs school

Hispanic (2025)55th percentile+10 vs school

Special Education (2025)52nd percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)33rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)25th percentile-8 vs school

Female (2026)15th percentile-19 vs school

White (2026)7th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts47%-9 vs state

Mathematics40%~ state avg

Science34%-13 vs state

★

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Schools Near Clara Peterson Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ISA Science (2026)		IAR English Language Arts (2026)							IAR Mathematics (2026)							Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2026)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	ISA Science 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	IAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	IAR Mathematics 4th Grade	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Measles protection (all grades)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Clara Peterson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	580 E Franklin St	Paxton	60957	Ford County	Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 379-2531	564	44	12.7	39.9%	465 (82.4%)	5 (0.9%)	57 (10.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	33 (5.9%)	31.7	1161^st of 1737 public elementary schools	33.2%		43.2	1136^th of 2056 public elementary schools	44.7%	25	34.4		42.2	50.0	48.9				46.9	54.9	43.6	19.4				39.8	96.7%		$13,484	$1,343	$12,141
Ludlow Elementary School	Public	K-8	245 S Orange St	Ludlow	60949	Champaign County	Ludlow CCSD 142	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 396-5261	52	9	5.7	82.7%	17 (32.7%)	2 (3.8%)	25 (48.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (15.4%)								(n/a)									27.5								90.6%		$26,218	$3,347	$22,872
Eastlawn Elementary School	Public	3-5	650 N Maplewood Dr	Rantoul	61866	Champaign County	Rantoul City School District 137	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 893-5404	276	29	9.5	89.1%	39 (14.1%)	57 (20.7%)	154 (55.8%)	2 (0.7%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (8.0%)								(n/a)	14.7				16.0				10.6							4.3	100%		$18,131	$1,995	$16,136
Northview Elementary School	Public	K-2	400 N Sheldon St	Rantoul	61866	Champaign County	Rantoul City School District 137	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 893-5403	218	21	10.3	85.3%	70 (32.1%)	60 (27.5%)	48 (22.0%)	2 (0.9%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (16.5%)								(n/a)																	98.8%		$21,073	$2,804	$18,270
Pleasant Acres Elementary School	Public	K-2	1625 Short St	Rantoul	61866	Champaign County	Rantoul City School District 137	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 893-5402	293	26	11.2	94.5%	32 (10.9%)	78 (26.6%)	148 (50.5%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	31 (10.6%)								(n/a)																	98.9%		$20,239	$2,058	$18,181
Gifford Grade School	Public	K-8	406 S Main St	Gifford	61847	Champaign County	Gifford CCSD 188	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 568-7733	151	14	10.7	33.8%	137 (90.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (5.3%)	66.5	549^th of 1737 public elementary schools	68.4%		67.5	657^th of 2056 public elementary schools	68.0%	108			52.2	57.1		76.2		68.8	63.7	60.9	66.7		52.4			54.9	94.9%		$14,860	$153	$14,706
Broadmeadow Elementary School	Public	3-5	500 Sunview Rd	Rantoul	61866	Champaign County	Rantoul City School District 137	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 893-5405	231	21	11.0	93.9%	69 (29.9%)	84 (36.4%)	31 (13.4%)	5 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (18.2%)	3.4	1724^th of 1737 public elementary schools	0.7%		8.3	1986^th of 2056 public elementary schools	3.4%	262	18.4		17.2	27.2	14.5				19.7	14.9						9.8	99.6%		$19,038	$1,450	$17,588
Cissna Park Elementary School	Public	K-5	511 N 2nd St	Cissna Park	60924	Iroquois County	Cissna Park CUSD 6	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 457-2171	128	10	13.1	30.5%	106 (82.8%)	3 (2.3%)	14 (10.9%)	2 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.3%)	82.4	254^th of 1737 public elementary schools	85.4%		66.5	677^th of 2056 public elementary schools	67.1%	423	70.4		81.8	64.7	70.4				72.7	86.4		59.3				59.1	100%		$15,174	$300	$14,875
GCMS Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	902 N Church St	Gibson City	60936	Ford County	Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 784-4278	489	44	11.1	50.1%	411 (84.0%)	3 (0.6%)	51 (10.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (4.7%)	54.1	767^th of 1737 public elementary schools	55.8%		63.5	734^th of 2056 public elementary schools	64.3%	33	64.3		57.6	59.7	64.8				60.8	62.1	38.9	28.2				42.6	97.6%		$18,736	$946	$17,790
Armstrong-Ellis Elementary School	Public	K-8	3571 Gifford Ave	Armstrong	61812	Vermilion County	Armstrong-Ellis Cons School District 61	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 569-2115	81	11	7.7	40.7%	72 (88.9%)	2 (2.5%)	1 (1.2%)	1 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (6.2%)								(n/a)									72.9							50.0	98.6%		$21,159	$355	$20,804

Frequently Asked Questions about Clara Peterson Elementary School

Is Clara Peterson Elementary School a good school?

Clara Peterson Elementary School ranks 1161^st of 1737 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Clara Peterson Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Clara Peterson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High School
High : Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School

What is the racial makeup of Clara Peterson Elementary School?

Students at Clara Peterson Elementary School are 82% White, 10% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

What district is Clara Peterson Elementary School in?

Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10

How many students attend Clara Peterson Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 564 students attended Clara Peterson Elementary School.

Rate Clara Peterson Elementary School!

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Latest Illinois data All new data »

2025–26 school spending dataNewOct 30, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 30, 2026

2025–26 ACT, IAR, ISA & PreACT Secure test scoresNewOct 30, 2026

2013–14 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.