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Nelson Ridge School

Public Grades 4-6

Summary

Nelson Ridge School is a public middle school serving grades 4-6 in New Lenox, Illinois, with an enrollment of 455 students. This school is part of the New Lenox School District 122.

Nelson Ridge School consistently outperforms the state average in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics proficiency across all grades. In 2024-2025, 67.8% of Nelson Ridge students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 53.1% statewide, and 54.4% were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 38.5% statewide. The school's 6th-grade ELA proficiency rate of 76.5% was significantly higher than the state's 54.3%. Additionally, Nelson Ridge has seen a significant decrease in chronic absenteeism, from 26.3% in 2023-2024 to 10.6% in 2024-2025, which is notably better than the district and state averages.

While Nelson Ridge School outperforms the other middle schools in the New Lenox School District 122, it falls short when compared to the higher-performing Hickory Creek Middle School in the Frankfort CCSD 157C district, particularly in Mathematics. This suggests that while Nelson Ridge is a strong performer within its own district, there is room for improvement to reach the level of the top-performing schools in the region. The school's relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 12.98% to 14.72% over the past three years, indicates a more affluent student population compared to the district and state averages, which may contribute to its academic success.

432

Students ?

19.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,472

Per pupil spending ?

11.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2470 Nelson Rd
New Lenox, IL 60451-8586

(815) 462-2870

District: New Lenox School District 122

Students who attend Nelson Ridge School usually attend:

High:

Lincoln Way West

Feeder schools for Nelson Ridge School:

Elementary:

Nelson Prairie School

Racial breakdown:

White:

80.8%

Hispanic:

14.4%

Two or more races:

3.0%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 88th percentile in 2023 → 80th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Illinois average (59% vs 44% meeting standards)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 88th-percentile peak (2023) to 80th (2025)

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school59%

District avg59%

Illinois avg44%

405^th of 2,056

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Top 20%▲ up 6 pts since 2015

From top 26% (2015) to top 20% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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
2025	79.7	405 of 2056	80.3%	★★★★☆
2024	84.2	278 of 2067	86.6%	★★★★☆
2023	85.8	255 of 2077	87.7%	★★★★☆
2022	84.9	285 of 2082	86.3%	★★★★☆
2021	83.5	267 of 1948	86.3%	★★★★☆
2019	84.9	266 of 2086	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	81.6	321 of 2037	84.2%	★★★★☆
2017	84.2	272 of 2044	86.7%	★★★★☆
2016	79.7	362 of 2046	82.3%	★★★★☆
2015	70.1	530 of 2052	74.2%	★★★★☆
2014	69.1	648 of 2093	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	72.5	597 of 2167	72.5%	★★★★☆
2012	66.1	863 of 2166	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	71.4	684 of 2147	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2010	69.1	768 of 2139	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	68.2	798 of 2120	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	71.2	675 of 2092	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	68.7	758 of 2095	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	57.3	1132 of 2086	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2005	67.6	769 of 2022	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2004	69.4	711 of 2030	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2003	73.9	581 of 2020	71.2%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	69.9	201 of 1049	80.8%	★★★★☆
2024	76.0	100 of 886	88.7%	★★★★☆
2023	71.1	161 of 907	82.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	74.3	456 of 1942	76.5%	★★★★☆
2024	83.5	264 of 1942	86.4%	★★★★☆
2023	86.0	224 of 1957	88.6%	★★★★☆
2022	86.7	221 of 1970	88.8%	★★★★☆
2021	86.9	148 of 1680	91.2%	★★★★★
2019	84.7	229 of 2019	88.7%	★★★★☆
2018	85.2	233 of 1964	88.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	75.2	164 of 982	83.3%	★★★★☆
2024	80.7	99 of 959	89.7%	★★★★☆
2023	91.1	49 of 970	94.9%	★★★★★
2022	89.4	45 of 954	95.3%	★★★★★
2021	83.1	54 of 742	92.7%	★★★★★
2019	91.9	22 of 955	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	76.7	134 of 938	85.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	84.5	140 of 1800	92.2%	★★★★★
2024	86.7	107 of 1793	94.0%	★★★★★
2023	81.5	163 of 1808	91.0%	★★★★★
2022	85.6	101 of 1763	94.3%	★★★★★
2021	81.6	112 of 1514	92.6%	★★★★★
2019	82.7	138 of 1816	92.4%	★★★★★
2018	65.2	439 of 1765	75.1%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	82.0	316 of 1947	83.8%	★★★★☆
2024	81.6	311 of 1959	84.1%	★★★★☆
2023	83.2	263 of 1984	86.7%	★★★★☆
2022	79.1	354 of 1977	82.1%	★★★★☆
2021	73.2	381 of 1707	77.7%	★★★★☆
2019	83.6	263 of 2019	87.0%	★★★★☆
2018	75.5	425 of 1972	78.4%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	70.7	278 of 1292	78.5%	★★★★☆
2024	76.7	185 of 1195	84.5%	★★★★☆
2023	70.4	234 of 1156	79.8%	★★★★☆
2022	59.8	285 of 1113	74.4%	★★★★☆
2021	60.9	177 of 640	72.3%	★★★★☆
2019	51.3	449 of 1194	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	38.9	403 of 763	47.2%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	62.7	502 of 1389	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.6	338 of 1392	75.7%	★★★★☆
2023	74.9	276 of 1419	80.5%	★★★★☆
2022	72.6	307 of 1425	78.5%	★★★★☆
2021	73.5	262 of 1308	80.0%	★★★★☆
2019	69.7	376 of 1462	74.3%	★★★★☆
2018	65.9	453 of 1463	69.0%	★★★☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)92nd percentile+12 vs school

Male (2025)84th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2025)83rd percentile+3 vs school

Disabled (2025)81st percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)78th percentile~ school

Female (2025)77th percentile-4 vs school

White (2025)64th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts68%+15 vs state

Mathematics54%+16 vs state

Science54%+13 vs state

★

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Schools Near Nelson Ridge 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 Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)		IAR English Language Arts (2025)						IAR Mathematics (2025)						% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	ISA Science 8th 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 4th Grade	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Nelson Ridge School	Public	4-6	2470 Nelson Rd	New Lenox	60451	Will County	New Lenox School District 122	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 462-2870	432	22	19.6	11.1%	349 (80.8%)	5 (1.2%)	62 (14.4%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.0%)								(n/a)	53.8		62.2	63.9	76.5			67.8	56.3	59.0	48.4			54.4	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	34.4	$12,472	$389	$12,083
Spencer Crossing	Public	4-6	1711 Spencer Rd	New Lenox	60451	Will County	New Lenox School District 122	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 462-7997	544	25	21.5	7.2%	465 (85.5%)	14 (2.6%)	29 (5.3%)	14 (2.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.5%)								(n/a)	49.7		64.4	70.9	60.7			65.2	61.3	55.9	45.4			53.7	98.3	98.1	98.1	98.1	98.3	98.1	98.3	29.1	$11,480	$389	$11,091
Bentley Elementary School	Public	4-6	513 E Illinois Hwy	New Lenox	60451	Will County	New Lenox School District 122	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 485-4451	380	19	20.0	16.8%	299 (78.7%)	4 (1.1%)	57 (15.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.0%)								(n/a)	59.4		73.8	79.6	86.4			79.8	63.1	59.9	63.6			62.1	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	33.4	$12,000	$389	$11,611
Manhattan Junior High School	Public	6-8	15414 W Smith Rd	Manhattan	60442	Will County	Manhattan School District 114	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 418-6299	615	44	13.9	16.9%	515 (83.7%)	20 (3.3%)	63 (10.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (2.4%)	83.3	200^th of 1368 public middle schools	85.4%		84.7	180^th of 1363 public middle schools	86.8%	20		46.9			76.8	77.4	77.6	77.3			47.8	52.4	58.9	53.2	97.9	98.0	98.0	98.0	98.3	97.7	98.7	96.5	$11,297	$262	$11,035
Alex M Martino Junior High School	Public	7-8	731 E Joliet Hwy	New Lenox	60451	Will County	New Lenox School District 122	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 485-7593	591	38	15.5	10.8%	498 (84.3%)	5 (0.8%)	62 (10.5%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.2%)	80.8	241^st of 1368 public middle schools	82.4%		79	237^th of 1363 public middle schools	82.6%	4		52.0				74.7	65.0	70.0				57.2	54.1	55.7	98.2	98.2	98.2	98.2	98.2	98.2	98.4	98.0	$13,724	$389	$13,334
Oster-Oakview School	Public	4-6	809 N Cedar Rd	New Lenox	60451	Will County	New Lenox School District 122	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 485-2125	373	26	14.3	19.8%	280 (75.1%)	8 (2.1%)	68 (18.2%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.0%)								(n/a)	47.9		52.2	45.8	53.9			50.6	55.7	43.7	34.8			44.7	97.0	96.8	96.8	96.8	96.8	96.8	97.3	31.4	$14,278	$389	$13,889
Liberty Junior High School	Public	7-8	151 Lenox St	New Lenox	60451	Will County	New Lenox School District 122	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 462-7951	573	45	12.7	16.8%	445 (77.7%)	12 (2.1%)	97 (16.9%)	6 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.9%)	82.4	213^th of 1368 public middle schools	84.4%		84.2	189^th of 1363 public middle schools	86.1%	24		54.1				74.1	69.5	71.8				61.5	49.3	55.3	99.1	99.0	99.0	99.0	99.3	98.8	99.1	98.1	$13,867	$389	$13,478
Hickory Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	22150 S Owens Rd	Frankfort	60423	Will County	Frankfort CCSD 157C	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 469-4474	943	63	14.8		663 (70.3%)	95 (10.1%)	82 (8.7%)	28 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	75 (8.0%)	98.1	12^th of 1368 public middle schools	99.1%		98.9	11^th of 1363 public middle schools	99.2%	1		81.2			90.8	94.7	94.4	93.3			80.9	85.9	80.5	82.5									$14,164	$392	$13,772
Gompers Junior High School	Public	6-8	1501 Copperfield Ave	Joliet	60432	Will County	Joliet PSD 86	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 727-5276	615	61	10.0	99.2%	5 (0.8%)	50 (8.1%)	548 (89.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.0%)	22.2	1066^th of 1368 public middle schools	22.1%		28	941^st of 1363 public middle schools	31.0%	125		23.9			32.2	35.2	38.9	35.5			7.1	17.3	13.4	12.8	97.0	98.0	98.0	98.0	97.5	97.3	99.0	95.5	$21,008	$1,585	$19,423
Washington Junior High & Academy Prgm	Public	6-8	402 Richards St	Joliet	60433	Will County	Joliet PSD 86	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 727-5271	724	51	14.1	98.5%	28 (3.9%)	144 (19.9%)	532 (73.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.8%)	19	1139^th of 1368 public middle schools	16.7%		19.8	1100^th of 1363 public middle schools	19.3%	39		21.9			29.8	30.0	34.1	31.4			9.7	13.8	11.8	11.7	99.0	99.0	99.0	99.0	99.1	99.0	99.0	94.0	$20,028	$1,528	$18,499

Frequently Asked Questions about Nelson Ridge School

What district is Nelson Ridge School in?

New Lenox School District 122

What is the racial makeup of Nelson Ridge School?

Students at Nelson Ridge School are 81% White, 14% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 1% African American.

What high school do graduates of Nelson Ridge School attend?

Students who attend Nelson Ridge School usually go on to attend Lincoln Way West

How many students attend Nelson Ridge School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 432 students attended Nelson Ridge School.

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Latest Illinois data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 30, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 30, 2025

2024–25 ACT, IAR, ISA & PreACT Secure test scoresOct 30, 2025

2023–24 school spending dataOct 30, 2024

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.