The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 59% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Glenwood Elementary School
Glenwood Elementary School is a kindergarten-through-fourth-grade school serving the growing suburb of Chatham, in Sangamon County. The school enrolls about six hundred students across a fairly evenly distributed span of grades, with the student body composed of a majority white enrollment alongside substantial shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students, plus smaller numbers of Hispanic and American Indian students. Free-and-reduced-price lunch eligibility data were not available in the provided information.
The school's performance on Illinois state reading and math assessments in the tested grades shows a mixed picture. In English language arts, fourth-graders perform solidly, with a strong majority of students meeting or exceeding proficiency. Third-graders in ELA show lower proficiency, roughly in the midrange. Math proficiency runs below reading at both grade levels tested: third-graders and fourth-graders both show roughly three in five students meeting or exceeding the proficiency threshold. These scores place Glenwood in the top quartile relative to other districts in Sangamon County when averaged across the grades and subjects tested, though a reader should note that proficiency benchmarks shifted in Illinois for the assessment year in which these results were reported, so year-to-year trend comparison is not yet possible. Kindergarten through second grade are not tested under Illinois state assessment, so results are not available for those grades.
Chatham itself is a car-dependent residential village functioning as a suburb of Springfield, with a small-town feel and mostly owner-occupied homes. The community is actively growing, with new residential subdivisions such as Breckenridge Manor and The Highlands under development. Housing values in the area are moderate compared to national benchmarks, and the village functions largely as a bedroom community, with most employment tied to Springfield's state government and healthcare sectors. The Interurban Trail, an eight-mile multi-use path to Springfield, is the main pedestrian and bicycle corridor. Civic life centers on community parks, the library, and local youth leagues.
The Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District #5, which includes Glenwood, is navigating significant infrastructure challenges. A public referendum on the March 2026 ballot seeks voter approval for a substantial facilities bond to address aging mechanical systems, roof repairs, electrical and plumbing upgrades, fire alarms, and security measures. District officials have described the current situation as needing urgent attention, with some buildings struggling to maintain adequate heating in winter. If approved, the bond would increase property taxes for homeowners; if rejected, the district has signaled that maintenance will continue on a reactive, piecemeal basis. This fiscal and facilities context is material for families considering the Chatham area, as it bears directly on the school environment and tax obligations.
The school's curriculum and specific programming offerings were not detailed in the available data, so a parent may want to contact Glenwood directly to understand what specialty programs, arts offerings, or enrichment pathways exist beyond core instruction. Attendance rates, discipline data, and special education or English learner enrollment figures were also not provided.
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