The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in Math. The lowest is 87% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Iroquois West Elem School/gilman
Iroquois West Elementary School/Gilman is a small public school serving grades one through three in a rural agricultural community where home ownership is common and the local economy centers on grain and soybean processing. The school sits in Gilman, a quiet town shaped by its crossroads position where Interstate 57 and US Routes 24 and 45 meet, with a modest downtown along Central Street and a population that has remained relatively stable over recent years.
The school's enrollment is small, spanning roughly equal numbers across each of its three grade levels. The student body is roughly two-thirds white and one-third Hispanic, with very few students from other backgrounds. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and English learner enrollment were not available, so a parent may want to inquire directly with the school about the share of students receiving support services or language assistance.
Academic performance in third grade, the only grade where state assessment data are currently reported, shows strength in both mathematics and English language arts. In mathematics, nearly all students scored at proficient or above. In English language arts, the large majority of students demonstrated proficiency. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts across Iroquois County, a positioning that reflects solid foundational instruction in early grades. However, data for grades four through eight are not available because this building serves only grades one through three; students advance to other buildings within the district for fourth grade and beyond.
Iroquois West CUSD 10 operates as a consolidated rural district serving four communities: Gilman, Danforth, Thawville, and Onarga. The district spans a thinly populated area where schools are dispersed across multiple towns rather than concentrated in a single location. No significant policy changes or major referenda affecting the district were identified in recent years, suggesting relative stability in district operations.
Housing values in the 60938 zip code are modest compared to state and national benchmarks. The local market is quiet, with limited home sales activity and most residents owning their homes. An older housing stock reflects limited new construction; some affordable rental options exist through programs serving lower-income households. The broader economic context shows steady employment and moderate mortgage rates, though the small size of the local market means housing search choices are limited.
The school is a traditional public elementary building in a rural setting where walkability within town is theoretically short but daily life is shaped by vehicular access. The location suits families seeking a quiet, small-town schooling experience with low student density and early grades instruction anchored in traditional academics. A parent considering this school should expect a close, intimate environment and strong early literacy and numeracy instruction; they may also want to visit to understand how the school handles transitions to higher grades at other buildings in the district.
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