Elementary Schools in McLean County Unified School District 5

The McLean County Unified School District 5 in Illinois is home to 16 elementary schools serving students from Bloomington, Normal, and Towanda. The district's schools exhibit a wide range of performance, with several standout institutions like Benjamin Elementary School, Grove Elementary School, and Towanda Elementary School consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the state.

The data reveals significant variations in key metrics across the district's elementary schools. Chronic absenteeism rates range from as low as 6.2% at Grove Elementary to as high as 33.6% at Cedar Ridge Elementary. Proficiency rates on state assessments also vary widely, with the top-performing schools outpacing the district and state averages by 10-20 percentage points in many subject areas. Factors such as per-student spending and student-teacher ratios do not always directly correlate with academic performance, as evidenced by the exceptional results of some lower-spending schools.

While the data suggests a relationship between socioeconomic status, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, and academic performance, there are notable exceptions. Some schools with higher proportions of economically disadvantaged students, such as Oakdale Elementary and Cedar Ridge Elementary, have struggled to match the achievements of their more affluent counterparts. Ultimately, the analysis highlights the need for a holistic evaluation of school performance, considering multiple factors beyond just test scores to understand the strengths and challenges within the McLean County Unified School District 5.