The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Math. The lowest is 59% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Manteno Elem School
Manteno Elementary School serves pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in a small district that recently underwent a structural consolidation. The school enrolls a diverse population in a mixed-use suburban village about fifty miles south of Chicago, where golf-cart culture, a walkable Main Street, and steady residential growth from Cook County families seeking lower taxes shape daily life.
On recent state assessments, the school shows mixed results. Third-grade math proficiency sits in the upper range, while fourth-grade math proficiency falls to roughly half of students demonstrating mastery. English language arts proficiency in third grade is above midpoint; in fourth grade it drops to just above half. The school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile among Kankakee County districts. A parent may want to look into the fourth-grade drop-off with the school directly, particularly in math, to understand whether this reflects curriculum scope, student transition, or other factors.
The enrollment is small and stable, spanning six grade bands from pre-K through fourth grade. Student composition is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic population representing roughly ten percent of enrollment and Black and mixed-race students making up the remainder. Specific data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, English learner enrollment, and special education enrollment were not available. All tested students participated in the state assessment, indicating full engagement in testing.
A significant structural change took effect in the 2024-25 school year: voters approved a consolidation that reduced the district from four buildings to three. This means the building Manteno Elementary occupies, the grade bands it houses, and the transition pathways for students are now different from prior years. Families considering the school should understand that the consolidation reorganized which grades attend which building and represents a lasting district shift. The school's location in downtown Manteno on West Cook Street places it in a neighborhood with a compact, walkable core, parks connected by walking paths, a farmers market, and institutional anchors like a library and The Square.
Housing in the Manteno zip code is moderately priced compared to national benchmarks, with home values and rental rates both slightly above Illinois state medians. The area has attracted steady residential growth, with newcomers often relocating from higher-tax Cook County suburbs, and multiple active subdivisions are underway. The local job market is anchored by logistics and warehouse operations, the Illinois Veterans' Home, and light manufacturing in the Diversatech Industrial Park.
The elementary school serves a community in measured growth with established civic infrastructure. Test proficiency in third grade is solid; the drop in fourth grade is something to clarify with the school before enrollment decisions.
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