The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Glenwood Intermediate Sch
Glenwood Intermediate School serves grades five and six in Chatham, a growing residential suburb of Springfield in Sangamon County. The school enrolls students from a community that is roughly three-quarters white and includes Asian, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial families at smaller proportions. The school does not serve a majority-low-income population; free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility data was not available, and federal Title I status was not reported.
On state assessments, the school shows an uneven profile. In English language arts, proficiency runs higher: about two-thirds of fifth and sixth graders met or exceeded standards. In mathematics, results are substantially lower: only around four in ten fifth graders and roughly half of sixth graders reached proficiency. Science proficiency in grade five sits near that of math, at about half. The pattern suggests relative strength in reading and language but meaningful gaps in math and science. The school's participation rates on these tests are very high, above 97 percent, meaning these results reflect nearly all students taking the exams. Testing data for grades three, four, seven, and eight either do not apply to this school's grade band or were not available; this is expected given that Glenwood serves only grades five and six.
Among the county's districts in Sangamon County, Glenwood's overall proficiency index sits above the median. That said, a reader may want to look further into the school's math instruction and curriculum, given the spread between ELA and math performance and the absolute levels in math and science.
Chatham itself is a car-dependent village of modest size, functioning as a bedroom community to Springfield. Most residents own their homes. The community is anchored by Chatham Community Park, which hosts youth sports leagues, and by the Interurban Trail, a multi-use pathway stretching more than eight miles to Springfield. A small older downtown cluster remains along Mulberry Street, though most civic and school facilities sit on suburban-style campuses away from the historic core. The village is on a growth trajectory, with new residential subdivisions actively developing.
Housing in Chatham is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks and sits slightly above the state average. Monthly mortgage costs run in the mid-range, with rental options somewhat less expensive than ownership for most households. The area has seen steady home value appreciation.
The school sits within the Ball Chatham CUSD 5 district, which faces a significant facilities challenge. A bond referendum is on the March 17, 2026 ballot seeking voter approval for school building repairs and safety upgrades, including HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, fire alarms, and security improvements. District leadership has reported that some buildings have struggled to maintain adequate heating and that the district currently spends the least per pupil of any in Sangamon County. If the referendum passes, property tax bills for homeowners are estimated to rise; if it fails, the district has indicated that aging systems will continue to be repaired reactively rather than addressed systematically. This measure will materially affect both the physical school environment and family tax obligations in coming years, and a parent considering the district should understand the likely outcome and its implications before enrolling.
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