The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elem School
Washington Elem School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Champaign, a city anchored by the University of Illinois and a revitalized downtown. The school sits on East Grove Street in a built neighborhood with strong walkability and access to transit, libraries, and parks. It is a regular public school within Champaign Unit 4 School District.
The school enrolls a moderate-sized group of students drawn from a racially diverse community. The enrollment is fairly balanced across grades, with slightly larger cohorts in lower elementary and a smaller fifth-grade group. The student body is majority Black, followed by a white minority, with a substantial Asian presence and smaller Hispanic and multiracial populations. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility and special education or English learner enrollment was not available, so a parent would want to contact the school directly to understand the economic and support-service profile.
On state testing, Washington Elem's proficiency results in math and English language arts are low. In the most recent state assessment, proficiency rates across the tested grades (3 through 5) ranged from below ten percent to around twenty-four percent, with science showing similar proficiency. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the factors behind these results, what interventions or supports are in place, and what trajectory the school is on. The state changed its proficiency cut scores in recent years, which affects year-to-year comparability, so asking the school about trends within their own data could provide useful context.
When positioned against other districts in Champaign County, Washington Elem's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. This is a straightforward fact about how the school's combined performance ranks locally; families making a school choice may want to consider what this means for their child's learning environment and what support structures exist at the school.
The school participates in Unit 4's district-wide adoption of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies, which emphasizes structured note-taking, vocabulary development, and writing across classrooms. This is a pedagogical approach families will encounter in daily instruction.
Unit 4 also underwent structural changes effective in 2023-24 under its "Schools of Choice" plan, which eliminated the district's balanced calendar and modified school configurations at two buildings. Washington Elem's own grade structure and calendar were not altered by this change, but families should be aware that the district has shifted its approach to school choice and calendar in recent years.
The surrounding Champaign community offers civic anchors including the Champaign Public Library with its newly expanded downtown branch, the Champaign Park District, and MTD bus service. The city is experiencing housing growth, particularly mixed-income development near downtown and student housing in the Campustown area near campus. Housing values in the area are below the state benchmark, and rental rates are correspondingly lower, making the neighborhood accessible on moderate household income. Local employment is anchored by the University of Illinois, healthcare systems like Carle and Christie Clinic, and the school district itself.
For families considering Washington Elem, the key questions center on understanding the low state test results, what academic support is available, and whether the school's AVID-focused pedagogy aligns with their approach to learning. The school's diverse peer environment and walkable neighborhood setting are fixed characteristics; the academic performance picture is the area where a parent would most benefit from direct conversation with school leadership.
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