The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in English language arts. The lowest is 45% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on North Elem School
North Elem School serves students in grades three through six in Marshall, a small county-seat city in east-central Illinois. The school is one of several buildings in the Marshall Consolidated Unit School District 2C. North Elem's enrollment is small for its grade span, with roughly balanced grades across the school, and the student body is predominantly white, with a small share of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Federal poverty data was not available for the school; the school's free-or-reduced-price-lunch status was not reported.
In reading and math, North Elem shows a pattern of proficiency that declines as grades move upward. In grade three math and English language arts, proficiency sits at healthy levels, with roughly three-quarters meeting math standards and about two-thirds meeting reading standards. By grade four, math proficiency drops noticeably, falling to just above one-half of students. English language arts proficiency in grade four remains stable, around the two-thirds level. Grade five shows a sharper drop, with math proficiency falling to under one-half and reading at roughly two-thirds. Grade six is where the steepest decline appears: math proficiency falls to under one-third, while reading proficiency holds around three-fifths. This downward trajectory across the grade levels is a pattern a parent may want to look into further with the school, particularly to understand what shifts in curriculum, teaching, or student cohorts might be at play.
The school administered science testing in grade five, where proficiency was at roughly two-fifths. Science testing in grade eight was not administered at this school, likely because the school does not serve that grade.
All students participated in reading and math testing in grades three, four, and six. Grade five participation rates were near complete for all subjects. The testing data reflect the state's revised proficiency standards that took effect in the 2024-25 school year, so year-over-year trend comparisons are not available.
Among districts in Clark County, North Elm's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile, a strength that reflects solid early-grade performance even as upper grades show softer results. Comparison data on graduation rates and chronic absenteeism were not available for the school, as those metrics apply to high schools and districts rather than to elementary and middle schools.
Marshall itself is a compact, historic city of modest size, roughly 20 miles west of Terre Haute, Indiana, centered on the Clark County Courthouse square. Housing values are well below both the Illinois and national medians, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is modest relative to regional benchmarks, making the town's housing market accessible. Home values have appreciated in recent years, and employment is spread across manufacturing, education, health care, and retail sectors, with the school district itself a notable employer. Growth is slow and deliberate: the city's 2022 comprehensive plan emphasizes incremental smart-growth goals such as increasing housing diversity and improving walkability rather than boom-style development. The city does not have fixed-route public transit; most travel is by personal vehicle.
Parents considering North Elem should weigh the school's solid early-grade results against the notable decline in proficiency as students reach the upper elementary and middle-grade years, especially in math. A conversation with school staff about instructional approaches in the higher grades, student support systems, and any recent changes or initiatives would be worthwhile.
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