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North Ward Elementary School

Q: Is North Ward Elementary School a good school?

North Ward Elementary School ranks 1226 th of 2056 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

1226^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,056 Illinois Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of Illinois elementary schools

Summary

North Ward Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Tuscola, Illinois, serving grades PK-4 with a total enrollment of 326 students. The school is part of the Tuscola CUSD 301 district, which is ranked 444 out of 811 districts in Illinois and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

North Ward Elementary School has consistently underperformed compared to the state and district averages in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) exams. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 46.2% of all grades were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 63.4% for the Tuscola CUSD 301 district and 53.1% for the state of Illinois. In Mathematics, the school's proficiency rate was even lower at 29.2%, compared to 35% for the district and 38.5% for the state. Additionally, the school has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 15.6% to 26.3% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average.

When comparing North Ward Elementary School to nearby schools, it becomes evident that the school is underperforming compared to its peers. For example, Bement Elementary School, located 17.55 miles away, outperformed North Ward in both ELA and Mathematics proficiency rates, with 52.6% and 45.6% proficiency, respectively, in the 2024-2025 school year. Despite the higher per-student spending at North Ward Elementary School, the school has seen a decrease in its student-to-teacher ratio, suggesting that the school may be allocating resources towards smaller class sizes, which could potentially benefit student learning.

334

Students ?

11.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,302

Per pupil spending ?

44.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1201 N Prairie St
Tuscola, IL 61953-9255

(217) 253-2712

District: Tuscola CUSD 301

Students who attend North Ward Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	East Prairie Middle School
High:	Tuscola High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.1%

Hispanic:

7.8%

Two or more races:

3.0%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare North Ward Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 41st percentile in 2015 → 40th in 2025

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (38% vs 46% meeting standards)

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school38%

District avg49%

Illinois avg46%

1,226^th of 2,056

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

444^th of 811Tuscola CUSD 301 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
2025	39.4	1226 of 2056	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.4	879 of 2067	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.2	775 of 2077	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.9	882 of 2082	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.0	694 of 1948	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.0	1128 of 2086	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	47.7	985 of 2037	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	29.0	1443 of 2044	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	55.3	845 of 2046	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	36.8	1214 of 2052	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	51.3	1063 of 2093	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	70.1	658 of 2167	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	80.8	325 of 2166	85.0%	★★★★☆
2011	82.3	264 of 2147	87.7%	★★★★☆
2010	81.8	270 of 2139	87.4%	★★★★☆
2009	79.6	359 of 2120	83.1%	★★★★☆
2008	83.8	195 of 2092	90.7%	★★★★★
2007	78.3	348 of 2095	83.4%	★★★★☆
2006	79.3	326 of 2086	84.4%	★★★★☆
2005	87.7	60 of 2022	97.0%	★★★★★
2004	81.8	276 of 2030	86.4%	★★★★☆
2003	80.9	319 of 2020	84.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	50.4	924 of 1942	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.9	820 of 1942	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.4	833 of 1957	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.7	795 of 1970	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.0	734 of 1680	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	41.2	1146 of 2019	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.0	1018 of 1964	48.2%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	42.3	1057 of 1800	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	54.9	677 of 1793	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.3	858 of 1808	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.7	960 of 1763	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	53.8	548 of 1514	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	33.4	1286 of 1816	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	52.4	747 of 1765	57.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	28.5	1378 of 1947	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	53.1	819 of 1959	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.6	666 of 1984	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.3	847 of 1977	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.7	593 of 1707	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	45.2	1026 of 2019	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.5	904 of 1972	54.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2022	24.4	946 of 1113	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	42.8	579 of 1194	51.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	21.3	1157 of 1389	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	33.4	976 of 1392	29.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	38.5	905 of 1419	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.3	985 of 1425	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.0	803 of 1308	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.8	1113 of 1462	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.5	1047 of 1463	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Female (2025)52nd percentile+12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)41st percentile~ school

Male (2025)29th percentile-11 vs school

White (2025)17th percentile-24 vs school

Special Education (2022)15th percentile-43 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts46%-7 vs state

Mathematics29%-9 vs state

★

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Schools Near North Ward Elementary School

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)	% Pneumococcal (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 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	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Pneumococcal All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
North Ward Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1201 N Prairie St	Tuscola	61953	Douglas County	Tuscola CUSD 301	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 253-2712	334	28	11.7	44.3%	291 (87.1%)	6 (1.8%)	26 (7.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.0%)	39.4	1226^th of 2056 public elementary schools	40.4%		52.4	879^th of 2067 public elementary schools	57.5%	347			52.0	41.1					46.2	40.0	19.6					29.2	97.4	97.4	97.4	97.4	97.4	97.4	97.4	14.6		$13,302	$543	$12,758
Villa Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	400 N Sycamore St	Villa Grove	61956	Douglas County	Villa Grove CUSD 302	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 832-2261	310	24	13.0	56.5%	277 (89.4%)	1 (0.3%)	17 (5.5%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.2%)	62	765^th of 2056 public elementary schools	62.8%		61.1	714^th of 2067 public elementary schools	65.5%	51	50.0		54.5	57.9	57.5	59.4			57.0	58.2	52.6	25.0	28.1			43.0	96.3	95.7	95.7	95.7	96.6	95.7	95.7	9.5	12.6	$13,312	$590	$12,722
Arcola Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	351 W Washington St	Arcola	61910	Douglas County	Arcola CUSD 306	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 268-4961	410	31	13.0	45.9%	190 (46.3%)	4 (1.0%)	207 (50.5%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.2%)	39.6	1222^nd of 2056 public elementary schools	40.6%		27.8	1465^th of 2067 public elementary schools	29.1%	243	42.9		35.3	36.0	47.6	56.4			42.9	19.6	32.0	28.6	23.1			25.8	98.3	97.1	97.1	97.1	98.8	97.3	98.6	17.0	12.4	$13,625	$861	$12,763
Atwood-Hammond Grade School	Public	PK, KG-8	316 N Illinois St	Atwood	61913	Piatt County	Arthur CUSD 305	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 578-2229	209	18	11.8	58.4%	193 (92.3%)	1 (0.5%)	5 (2.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.3%)	67.9	644^th of 2056 public elementary schools	68.7%		76	456^th of 2067 public elementary schools	77.9%	188	41.2	15.4	50.0	53.3	76.5	57.9	68.0	23.1	56.2	65.4	50.0	55.6	31.6	36.0	0.0	43.5	89.3	88.0	88.0	88.0	90.1	89.3	89.3	7.0	29.8	$14,721	$1,469	$13,252
Unity West	Public	K-5	1035 County Road 600 N	Tolono	61880	Champaign County	Tolono CUSD 7	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 485-3918	399	35	11.4	33.1%	334 (83.7%)	11 (2.8%)	16 (4.0%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (8.8%)	77.9	436^th of 2056 public elementary schools	78.8%		64.1	660^th of 2067 public elementary schools	68.1%	224	64.5		59.1	60.3	76.2				65.1	63.6	47.6	55.6				55.7	97.9	97.7	97.7	97.7	98.5	97.9	97.7			$14,140	$4,209	$9,930
Arthur Grade School	Public	PK, KG-8	126 E Lincoln St	Arthur	61911	Douglas County	Arthur CUSD 305	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 543-2109	258	21	12.0	55.8%	199 (77.1%)	1 (0.4%)	46 (17.8%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.9%)	64.6	709^th of 2056 public elementary schools	65.5%		66.7	614^th of 2067 public elementary schools	70.3%	95	44.8	34.6	68.0	56.7	48.3	66.7	63.6	61.5	60.5	64.0	36.7	27.6	50.0	31.8	26.9	39.5	92.7	93.1	93.1	93.4	94.2	93.1	92.7	7.3	29.0	$14,324	$1,519	$12,804
Unity East	Public	PK, KG-5	1638 County Road 1000 N	Philo	61864	Champaign County	Tolono CUSD 7	No	(n/a)	No	No	(217) 684-5218	241	20	11.7	20.3%	215 (89.2%)	5 (2.1%)	9 (3.7%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.3%)	81.2	370^th of 2056 public elementary schools	82.0%		83.6	296^th of 2067 public elementary schools	85.7%	74	69.4		73.9	69.4	58.3				67.8	73.9	50.0	55.6				61.0	99.5	99.5	99.5	99.5	99.5	99.5	99.5			$22,431	$6,447	$15,984
Lake Crest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	310 Teeter St	Oakland	61943	Coles County	Oakland CUSD 5	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 346-2166	185	19	9.7	47.0%	183 (98.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20.6	1658^th of 2056 public elementary schools	19.4%		34.2	1283^rd of 2067 public elementary schools	37.9%	375	0.0	28.6	31.8	50.0	19.0	28.6	40.0	19.0	30.3	27.3	16.7	4.8	19.0	36.0	14.3	20.5	96.8	96.2	96.2	96.2	97.3	96.2	95.7	9.2	34.6	$13,160	$1,175	$11,985
Carrie Busey Elementary School	Public	K-5	304 Prairie Rose Ln	Savoy	61874	Champaign County	Champaign CUSD 4	No	(n/a)	No	No	(217) 351-3811	444	31	14.2	42.1%	182 (41.0%)	97 (21.8%)	36 (8.1%)	70 (15.8%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.7%)	55 (12.4%)	62.7	749^th of 2056 public elementary schools	63.6%		59	750^th of 2067 public elementary schools	63.7%	1	41.1		54.8	50.0	61.6				55.6	46.6	50.0	50.7				49.1	99.3	99.3	99.3	99.3	99.3	99.3	99.3			$16,663	$571	$16,093
Bement Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	201 S Champaign St	Bement	61813	Piatt County	Bement CUSD 5	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 678-4200	143	13	11.2	65.7%	125 (87.4%)	2 (1.4%)	8 (5.6%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.9%)	63	740^th of 2056 public elementary schools	64.0%		54.7	824^th of 2067 public elementary schools	60.1%	84	61.1		33.3	61.1	66.7				52.6	52.4	44.4	38.9				45.6	98.5	97.8	97.8	97.8	98.5	97.8	98.5	24.8		$15,988	$1,229	$14,759

Frequently Asked Questions about North Ward Elementary School

What district is North Ward Elementary School in?

Tuscola CUSD 301

How many students attend North Ward Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 334 students attended North Ward Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of North Ward Elementary School attend?

Students who attend North Ward Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : East Prairie Middle School
High : Tuscola High School

Is North Ward Elementary School a good school?

North Ward Elementary School ranks 1226^th of 2056 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of North Ward Elementary School?

Students at North Ward Elementary School are 87% White, 8% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

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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.