The top reported proficiency rate is 74% in English language arts. The lowest is 53% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elem School
Lincoln Elementary School is a regular public elementary serving pre-K through sixth grade in Morton, a village in Tazewell County that sits in the Peoria metro area. The school enrolls a modest-sized student body drawn predominantly from the immediate neighborhood, with a student population that is substantially white and reflective of the broader village demographics. Free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility data was not available, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about the level of economic need in the school community.
The school's academic profile shows mixed results across the tested grades. In English language arts, performance is stronger in the upper elementary grades: fourth graders and sixth graders both proficiency rates in the low-to-mid 80s range, while third graders and fifth graders land in the mid-60s. Mathematics tells a different story. Third-grade math proficiency is in the low-70s, but performance drops notably in fourth and fifth grades to the low-60s range, before rebounding in sixth grade to the low-80s. Science testing appears only in fifth grade, where proficiency is just above half. When positioned against the other districts in Tazewell County, Lincoln's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile—a strength worth noting for families considering whether the school's day-to-day instruction aligns with their expectations.
The school has a fully inclusive grade structure from pre-K forward, meaning parents of younger children can follow their child's progression through the building. Enrollment is relatively stable across the primary and elementary grades, ranging from about 60 to 84 students per grade level, creating a school environment that is intimate without being isolating.
The broader Morton CUSD 709 district is undergoing some organizational and pedagogical shifts. The district created a new executive director position overseeing curriculum, instruction, technology, and safety starting in mid-2025, signaling a consolidation of how instructional decisions and school technology are coordinated. A district technology task force has recommended changes to classroom device use, artificial intelligence policy, and cell-phone guidelines—including keyboards for seventh through twelfth graders, restricted direct YouTube access, and revisions to high-school phone policies. These are not yet final, but they indicate where classroom practice and student technology use may be headed. Additionally, Tazewell County is putting a one-cent school sales tax question to voters on the November ballot; if approved, it would create a new revenue stream for school facilities across all county districts, a change that could affect property-tax discussions in the housing market.
Morton itself is experiencing residential growth. Home values have risen substantially, and new subdivisions are actively developing. The median home price in the broader county area is appreciating, and homes move quickly. An average one-way commute runs around ten minutes for local employment (much of it anchored by Caterpillar's distribution center and the Nestlé/Libby's canning plant), though many residents commute farther to Peoria. The village has a small, walkable downtown along Main Street with local restaurants and shops, but the overall character is suburban and car-oriented.
A parent evaluating Lincoln Elementary should focus on whether the school's academic pace in mathematics aligns with their child's needs, particularly in grades four and five where results dip. The school's top-quartile standing countywide suggests solid overall instruction, but the grade-level variation suggests parents may want to have direct conversations with the school about supports in any grade where their child struggles. Class sizes appear manageable, and the neighborhood setting offers stability.
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