The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 32% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elem School
Lincoln Elementary School serves pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Ottawa, Illinois, a small historic city along the Illinois River in LaSalle County. The school enrolls a modest student body across its grade band, with roughly equal-sized cohorts in most grades. The student population is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic presence and smaller populations of students of two or more races and other backgrounds represented.
The school's most recent state assessment data shows uneven performance in math and English language arts. In grade three, about one-third of students met state proficiency benchmarks in math, while English language arts results were slightly lower at about one-third proficient. Grade four showed stronger reading outcomes, with roughly three-fifths of students proficient in ELA, but math proficiency dropped notably to under one-third. The school does not serve grades five and above, so no state assessment results are available for those grades.
When placed against the school proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades among LaSalle County districts, Lincoln Elementary falls in the bottom quartile. Parents may want to discuss with the school what supports are in place for students not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks, and what the math curriculum and instructional approach look like, particularly in the upper elementary grades where the proficiency rates are lower.
The school's testing participation rates are strong, near universal in both subjects. Free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility data was not available, limiting what can be said about economic need among the student body. Similarly, data on students receiving special education services or English learner services were not provided.
Ottawa itself is a working city and regional hub with a revitalized historic downtown, riverfront parks, and a mix of residential neighborhoods. The housing market shows moderate price appreciation with home values and rental rates both rising year-over-year. The local economy centers on health care, retail, and education employment, with OSF HealthCare as a major anchor employer. A new OSF hospital is under construction, representing a substantial infrastructure investment. The overall employment environment has been mixed, with some employment decline from 2023 to 2024, though the housing market remains relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks.
The Ottawa ESD 141 district office did not surface any major recent shifts in funding, curriculum, or school configuration that would reshape the student experience in the near term.
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