The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Math. The lowest is 14% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Steuben Elementary School
Steuben Elementary School is a small, early-elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through third grade in Kankakee, situated in a neighborhood of older residential housing on the city's south side. The enrollment is small for this grade band, with the school drawing students who are predominantly Hispanic and Black, reflecting Kankakee's broader demographic makeup.
State testing data for third grade, the only grade level with available proficiency results, shows a picture of steep academic challenge. In English language arts, the proficiency rate on Illinois' state assessment is substantially below what would meet grade-level standards. Mathematics performance, while higher, remains weak. These results place Steuben well below the median proficiency across tested schools in Kankakee County, putting it in the bottom quartile on a countywide basis.
The data available does not include information about whether the school has a Title I designation, the share of students receiving free or reduced-price meals, English learner enrollment, or special education services. These gaps reflect what is typically reported at the district level rather than per-school; a parent may want to look into these details directly with the school or the district office. Similarly, student attendance, discipline, and staffing figures were not available in the reported data.
Steuben is part of Kankakee School District 111, which serves the city and surrounding areas. The district has announced a district-wide curriculum and instructional practices audit, contracted for completion in 2025, that will inform a new five-year strategic plan beginning in 2026. This signals an intent to examine and potentially reshape instructional approaches across the system. At the same time, the district has pursued consecutive property tax levy increases at or near the Illinois Property Tax Extension Limitation cap, a recurring cost factor for families considering the district.
The Kankakee area itself is a mid-sized city about fifty miles south of Chicago, with a historic downtown anchored by the county courthouse, surrounding neighborhoods of older single-family homes, and an economy rooted in healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Housing values in the area are well below state and national benchmarks. Public transit is available through River Valley Metro, and the Kankakee Amtrak depot offers connections to Chicago and beyond. Recent development activity in the city includes affordable housing projects and a downtown mixed-use redevelopment, though the county overall has seen limited residential construction since the prior recession.
For families considering Steuben, the central question is instructional capacity at a school showing low proficiency and whether the district's forthcoming curriculum review will materially address that. Visiting the school, speaking with current teachers and parents, and understanding the district's curricular and support plans would be essential steps. The school's early-grade focus means students will transition to intermediate grades elsewhere; understanding that feeder pathway and the progress students make after third grade would also inform the fit.
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