The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Chillicothe Elementary Center
Chillicothe Elementary Center is a small public school serving grades four and five in a riverfront community about a short drive north of Peoria. The school sits in a stable, residential town on the Illinois River, in a district that covers the consolidated Illinois Valley Central USD 321.
The enrollment is modest. The school has roughly equal populations of fourth and fifth graders. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, multiracial, and Asian students; the school has only a few Black students. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and on special populations such as students with IEPs or English learners was not available from the state, so a reader interested in the school's profile on economic diversity and special-needs services would benefit from contacting the school directly to understand those parts of the picture.
On state testing, the school's performance is mixed by grade and subject. In English language arts, fourth graders performed solidly, with most meeting or exceeding state proficiency standards. Fifth graders' ELA results were lower, with less than half meeting proficiency. In math, fourth graders were at the midpoint, and fifth graders performed notably below that threshold. Science results for fifth grade were also low. One testing caveat: Illinois changed its proficiency cut scores for the assessed subjects beginning in the school year reported here, making year-to-year comparison risky. The school's overall proficiency index—the mean of its reported results across subjects and grades—sits below the midpoint when compared to other public school districts in Peoria County, suggesting academic performance is a consideration for families evaluating this school.
No graduation rate or high school outcomes appear, as expected for a school serving grades four and five only. No chronic absenteeism data was provided. Staffing, course breadth, and program details were not available in the dataset.
The community itself is small and historic, with a preserved downtown that still operates an Art Deco theater, along with modest street-level retail and antique shops. The riverfront is accessible through several parks. The school is located in a residential neighborhood away from downtown. A state highway divides the town and has encouraged auto-centric development; the walkable core is limited to the downtown area. Most large employers serving Chillicothe residents are based in the Peoria metro area, suggesting a commuter relationship for many working adults. Housing values have edged upward moderately in recent years, and a new subdivision west of the high school offers tax incentives for new construction. The setting is small-town and stable rather than rapidly growing.
A parent may want to look into the school's curriculum, teaching methods, and how it supports students who struggle with the material or require special accommodations. The test results, particularly the fifth-grade dip, suggest the school might be a fit for families who want a close-knit, smaller-scale environment and are prepared to monitor academic progress closely or provide supplemental help at home.
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