Mendota Ccsd 289, IL - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Mendota Ccsd 289

Mendota CCSD 289 is a school district serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade across three elementary and middle schools in LaSalle County, Illinois. The district enrolls a small-to-moderate population of students, with a majority white student body and a substantial Hispanic student population; no data on free or reduced price lunch or English learner enrollment were available. The district's 2024-25 state assessment results show uneven performance across grades and subjects, with particular challenges in mathematics at the middle grades.

In English language arts, the district shows a bifurcated profile. Third, fourth, and sixth graders score below the county median, with attainment in the low-to-mid range. Performance strengthens noticeably in grades seven and eight, where roughly two-thirds to three-fifths of students meet or exceed the state proficiency standard. Science results are limited to grades five and eight; both grades show moderate attainment, with eighth-grade science at roughly the county median.

Mathematics presents a more pressing concern. Proficiency drops substantially as students advance through the grades. Third graders score modestly; by fourth grade the proficiency rate drops sharply, and in sixth grade it falls to a low level. Seventh and eighth grades see a slight recovery, but all tested grades in mathematics sit well below the county median. A parent evaluating math readiness and support should discuss specific intervention and remediation strategies with the district, as this pattern suggests students may need additional targeted instruction to build foundational skills.

Overall, the district's proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile among LaSalle County's districts. Chronic absenteeism sits modestly below the county midpoint, which may reflect demographic and economic factors typical of the area rather than exceptional engagement or disengagement. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range for the county, though the district has recently undertaken a multi-year facilities modernization funded through recurring working capital bonds. That modernization has upgraded HVAC, secure entrances, and classroom spaces across the three schools, completed most recently in early 2025, so students will encounter meaningfully refreshed physical learning environments.

The district serves a diverse community. Median home values in the area are modest and have risen at a steady pace. Housing supply has tightened in recent months, but demand remains elevated, suggesting the community retains appeal even as affordability pressures build. The area's economic foundation is stable, with unemployment and median household income holding at levels broadly consistent with national patterns.

For families considering Mendota CCSD 289, the district offers consolidated K-8 instruction in upgraded facilities within a small-town setting. The trajectory of achievement, however, suggests parents should have clear expectations about academic support levels. English language arts instruction appears more robust than math instruction, and students requiring intensive math intervention may benefit from conversations about supplemental support or tutoring. The absence of data on special populations and free lunch participation makes it difficult to assess how well the district serves lower-income or identified special-needs learners; a parent in either category would do well to ask the district directly about available support structures.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

1,016

Grades

PK–08

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 41%

Black 3%

White 53%

Asian 0%

Two+ 4%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

37%

—

Gr 4

31%

—

Gr 5

55%

—

Gr 6

27%

—

Gr 7

59%

—

Gr 8

55%

—

Math

Gr 3

35%

—

Gr 4

24%

—

Gr 5

38%

—

Gr 6

—

Gr 7

27%

—

Gr 8

10%

—

Science

Gr 5

38%

—

Gr 8

36%

—

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

Lincoln Elem School

Northbrook School

Blackstone Elem School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

42%

Grade 3

29%

Grade 4

39%

Grade 5

14%

Grade 6

34%

Grade 7

22%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

39%

Grade 3

37%

Grade 4

54%

Grade 5

38%

Grade 6

68%

Grade 7

58%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

37%

Grade 5

50%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$205,979

Year-over-year change+9.6%

Range across 9 ZIP codes$164K to $282K

vs. state typical0.71x

vs. national typical0.56x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (9 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
61342	Mendota	$180K	+9.2%	53.8%
61378	West Brooklyn	$282K	+10.9%	14.4%
61318	Compton	$193K	+12.4%	10.8%
60518	Earlville	$248K	+9.2%	9.1%
61330	La Moille	$164K	+6.3%	4.0%
61373		$262K	+8.3%	3.8%
61367	Sublette	$209K	+6.2%	2.9%
61353	Paw Paw	$222K	+4.3%	0.5%
61350	Ottawa	$209K	+9.1%	0.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,425/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
61350	Ottawa	$1,425	—	0.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,039/mo

Home price / national median income2.5x

Annual rent / national median income20.4%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$386/mo

Market Activity: LaSalle County

Median listing price$240,000

Median listing price YoY+4.4%

Median price per sq ft$151

Median price per sq ft YoY+9.4%

Median days on market56.8 days

Median days on market YoY+24.7%

Active listings204

Active listings YoY+9.1%

New listings136

Pending listings131

Pending listings YoY-3.7%

Hotness: median listing price$226,250

Hotness: median listing price YoY-6.7%

Supply score39.3

Supply score YoY-32.3%

Demand score84.0

Demand score YoY+3.0%

Median listing price (12 months)

Median price per sq ft (12 months)

Median days on market (12 months)

Active listings (12 months)

New listings (12 months)

Pending listings (12 months)

Hotness: median listing price (12 months)

Supply score (12 months)

Demand score (12 months)

Comparison

State typical home value$290,210 (+4.9% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.