The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in Math. The lowest is 69% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on William J Butler School
William J Butler School is a public elementary school in Lockport, Illinois, serving second through fourth graders in Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C. It sits in a mid-sized community about thirty to thirty-five miles southwest of Chicago, along the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal, in Will County.
The school enrolled students across three grades, with fairly even distribution. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, and other students represented. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility and special populations such as English learners and students with IEPs were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the economic and special-needs profile of the student population.
On the most recent state assessments, proficiency rates were mixed by grade and subject. In third-grade math, about three-quarters of students scored proficient or above. Fourth-grade math proficiency dropped to roughly two-thirds, a meaningful decline. In English language arts, third graders reached about two-thirds proficiency, while fourth graders improved to about seven in ten. Across the grades tested, the school's overall proficiency index placed it in the top quartile among districts in Will County, a solid standing, though parents should note the softness in fourth-grade math specifically.
Participation rates in testing were very high, at or near universal, indicating complete engagement in assessment. Testing cut scores changed this year, so direct year-to-year trend data is not yet available.
Lockport itself is a mixed-character community. The historic core along State Street and the Illinois & Michigan Canal is walkable and anchors civic life, with a renovated library, museums, local restaurants, and frequent community events. Schools are sited close to downtown rather than on the periphery, making them accessible to residents. At the same time, significant new residential development is occurring at the city's edges, particularly near Interstate commerce corridors. New subdivisions have launched in the past few years, bringing single-family and townhome options to the area. The housing market in Will County has been steady, with modest price appreciation and reasonable liquidity; median home values and rents are broadly middle-range for the Chicago region. Employment is mixed, drawing from manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail as well as local government and education.
The school serves the district alongside other buildings in the Homer Glen and Lockport areas. No major district-level policy changes or referendums were publicly reported in recent months, suggesting stable operations.
A parent considering William J Butler should understand that it is a neighborhood elementary school with demonstrated strength in reading relative to its mathematics performance, particularly at the fourth-grade level. The school's county ranking is solid, and testing participation is complete. Anyone concerned about the fourth-grade math dip or wanting to know more about special education and ELL services, staffing, specific curriculum choices, or the character of the peer environment should reach out to the school directly.
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