The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in English language arts. The lowest is 53% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on New Berlin Elementary School
New Berlin Elementary School serves preschool through fifth grade in a small, rural village about ten miles west of Springfield. The school sits in a predominantly residential community of owner-occupied homes with a modest commercial footprint. Families in the area tend to commute to Springfield for employment, though the school itself is a notable local institutional anchor.
The school enrolls a mixed-age group across its grade span, with the largest cohorts in preschool and kindergarten and smaller cohorts in the upper elementary grades. The student population is predominantly white, with a small Asian presence, a handful of Black and Hispanic students, and a modest share identifying as two or more races. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, so a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand the economic profile of the student body.
On state testing, New Berlin Elementary shows mixed results across grades and subjects. In math, fourth-grade proficiency is notably stronger than in the other tested grades. Third graders show moderate proficiency; fifth graders show substantially lower proficiency. In English language arts, the pattern is reversed: fourth graders again lead, with strong proficiency; fifth graders perform respectably at around two-thirds proficiency; third graders fall to just under half proficiency. Science data appears only for fifth grade, where proficiency sits at roughly three-fifths. The school achieved near-universal test participation in reported grades, which is a strength.
When compared to other districts in Sangamon County, New Berlin Elementary's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among the county's tested schools. This is the school's most significant academic strength. State assessment criteria changed recently, so trend comparisons with prior years are not yet reliable.
The school has no graduation rate because it does not serve high school grades. Data on special education, English learners, attendance, discipline, and staffing were not available. A parent seeking details on those areas should reach out to the school or district directly.
The elementary school occupies a part of a small, car-oriented community with a walkable village core centered on Illinois Street, where the library, village hall, and fairgrounds cluster. The high school sits a few blocks north, also embedded in the civic area rather than separated from town life. Housing values in the zipcode have appreciated modestly, and housing costs relative to regional income are described as below the national benchmark, suggesting affordability relative to median household income.
The district brief revealed no major recent curricular or operational changes with documented impact, so the school's instructional environment appears stable. For families considering the school, the key question is whether the recent testing pattern—stronger in grade four, weaker in grade five math—reflects grade-level variation, instructional focus, or cohort-specific factors. Direct conversation with the school leadership may clarify those results and help set realistic academic expectations for your child's experience.
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