The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sheridan Elem School
Sheridan Elem School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Bloomington, a mid-sized central Illinois city anchored by State Farm Insurance and a Bloomington-Normal metro area with Illinois State University and growing manufacturing jobs. The school sits at a city address on West Walnut Street and draws families from the broader district, Bloomington SD 87.
The school's state testing results are notably weak. In math, third-grade proficiency is low, fourth grade drops steeply, and fifth grade shows no students at proficiency. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: third grade shows modest proficiency, fourth grade becomes very low, and fifth grade remains substantially below state benchmarks. Science results in fifth grade are also low. When positioned against other districts in McLean County, Sheridan's overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quartile, meaning the school's test performance sits well below most comparable schools in the county.
It is worth noting that the state changed proficiency cut scores in math and English language arts beginning this school year, and trend data is not yet available to show whether these numbers reflect a school-level pattern or a change in assessment standards. A parent may want to discuss with the school what supports and instructional shifts are underway to address these results, and whether the school sees them as consistent with prior years or a signal of new challenges.
The school's enrollment is stable at about three hundred fifty-five students spread across six grades. The student body is predominantly Black, with substantial representation from other backgrounds: a quarter of students identify as white, about one-sixth as multiracial, and smaller shares as Hispanic or Asian. Free and reduced-price lunch data is not available, so family income composition cannot be assessed from the provided information.
The broader district context includes recent structural changes that affect families considering Sheridan or any Bloomington SD 87 school. In 2024, the district purchased a former State Farm building to expand early childhood education capacity (a waiting list existed) and to open a new Bloomington Career Academy with career and technical education programs. A county-level sales tax for school facilities took effect in July 2025, dedicating revenue to facility improvements, school resource officers, and mental health professionals. This is a meaningful funding shift that provides some property tax relief. The district also adopted a new English 3-D curriculum for English language learners in early grades and higher, reflecting growth in multilingual enrollment over the past decade. A cell phone ban in classrooms rolled out this school year as part of classroom management.
Bloomington housing is moderately priced for the region, with median home values and monthly rental costs both in the mid-range relative to national and state benchmarks. The city is in a constrained-growth moment: employer expansion by Rivian and Ferrero in nearby Normal is driving demand, but new residential construction is lagging. As of 2025, most housing additions have been in the form of renovations and adaptive reuse rather than new builds, which shapes the texture of available neighborhoods.
The school offers a regular public education program within a district that is actively adding pre-K capacity and career pathways. Beyond state test results, little data on Sheridan's specific programs, staffing, or school-level supports is available in the public record. A parent evaluating Sheridan would benefit from direct conversation with school leadership about how the school is addressing proficiency gaps, what instructional approaches are in place, and what the school sees as barriers or opportunities for student learning.
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