The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in English language arts. The lowest is 52% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ludwig Elem School
Ludwig Elem School serves fourth and fifth grade students in Lockport, a historic canal city in Will County about a half-hour southwest of Chicago. The school enrolls a small student body, nearly split between the two grade levels, with an enrollment of a few hundred students.
The student body is predominantly white, with about a fifth of students identifying as Hispanic and a small percentage identifying as Asian or Black. Specific data on free and reduced-price lunch eligibility, English learners, and special education enrollment were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the composition of these support populations.
In terms of academic performance on Illinois' standardized assessments, Ludwig shows a mixed profile. In English language arts, the school performed above the midpoint among districts in Will County. Fourth graders reached proficiency at a notably higher rate than fifth graders, with a gap of roughly three percentage points in students meeting the standard. Science proficiency in grade five was below half the students tested, placing it among the lower-performing county schools in that subject. Math proficiency for both grades hovered around the midpoint or slightly below it, with fifth graders showing a lower rate than fourth graders. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index placed it above the midpoint of its county's school districts.
The pattern across grades and subjects suggests some strength in literacy skills, weaker performance in mathematical reasoning, and notably lower proficiency in science. Test participation was essentially complete, indicating the assessments captured the full student population. A parent considering Ludwig may want to understand the school's strategy for addressing the gaps in math and science instruction and to ask what support exists for students not yet meeting standards in those areas.
Lockport itself is a mixed-character place of roughly a thousand or more residents, anchored by a walkable historic downtown along State Street and the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The city is growing steadily, particularly with new single-family subdivisions and townhomes near the interstate corridors, though observers have noted a shortage of smaller and more affordable housing options. The Metra station on the Heritage Corridor line sits downtown, offering a commute to Chicago, and civic life centers on State Street and the canal area, with museums, a recently renovated library, and parks. Schools are positioned close to the historic core rather than on distant campuses, so Ludwig's location at North State Street places it walkable to downtown amenities and within reach of most of the community.
Will County as a whole is experiencing strong housing demand and steady price growth, with the median home value appreciating annually and inventory remaining tight relative to demand. The county's real estate market has been rising faster than the state benchmark and is moderately priced relative to Chicago's far suburbs. Rental costs are climbing as well, and housing affordability has become a concern for families looking to enter or move within the market.
No recent district-level changes affecting Ludwig or its parent district, Will County SD 92, were found in publicly reported sources, so the parent context appears stable from a policy or governance standpoint.
Ludwig Elem is a straightforward neighborhood elementary school serving the upper grades in a small, walkable community with strong local identity and canal-era history. Its academic results suggest readable strengths in language arts alongside areas where instructional intensity or targeted support may be needed. For families choosing among Lockport options or considering the area as a place to live, Ludwig represents a small, community-rooted school in a city that is actively developing housing and pursuing downtown revitalization.
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