Summary:
The 62451 zip code in Illinois is home to a single elementary school, Palestine Grade School, which serves grades PK-8 and is part of the Palestine CUSD 3 district. While the school has a lower student-teacher ratio than the state average, its academic performance is consistently below state benchmarks, with only about a third of students proficient in English Language Arts and Math. The school also faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism and a large population of economically disadvantaged students, which may contribute to its struggles.
Palestine Grade School's statewide ranking has fluctuated in recent years, going from 1815 out of 2077 Illinois elementary schools in 2022-2023 to 1454 out of 2056 in 2024-2025, with a 1-star rating. The school's performance is particularly low in 6th and 7th grade English Language Arts and Math, with only 13.3% of students meeting proficiency standards. Science proficiency is also a concern, with just 11.1% of 5th graders and 56.7% of 8th graders meeting or exceeding state standards.
Despite the higher spending per student and lower student-teacher ratio, Palestine Grade School is not seeing commensurate improvements in student achievement. The school's ranking and rating within the district and state suggest that it is one of the lower-performing elementary schools in Illinois, and may require significant interventions and support to improve student learning and outcomes. Addressing the root causes of the low academic performance, high absenteeism, and economic disadvantage will be crucial for ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
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