The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on C B Smith Elem School
C B Smith Elementary serves kindergarten through third grade in Pekin, a mid-sized Illinois River city that blends residential neighborhoods with commercial corridors, industrial employment, and parks. The school enrolls a small cohort of students, nearly all of whom are white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and very small representation from Black students and students of two or more races.
The 2024-25 state test results show low performance in both subjects where third grade was tested. Math proficiency sat well below the typical distribution for districts in Tazewell County; English language arts was somewhat higher but still in the lower range. Test participation was strong, so the results reflect actual achievement rather than attendance gaps. A parent may want to ask the school directly about what these scores mean for third graders who are about to leave for the intermediate school level, and what specific support exists for students not yet meeting standard.
The school is part of Pekin PSD 108, a district that serves the wider Pekin area and several surrounding communities. Beginning in 2025-26, the district's intermediate schools (the next level up) shifted to standards-based grading and reporting, a change that will show up on report cards and in conferences when C B Smith students advance. The entire district participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, meaning all enrolled students receive free breakfast and lunch every day with no application required, a recurring household benefit. District taxes are substantial on local property bills, so school finance decisions carry weight for homeowners in the area.
Pekin itself is in active growth mode. The city is pursuing mixed-use development of a large property acquisition, new residential construction is moving forward through tax-increment financing districts, and the real estate market is tight with many buyers and limited inventory. Home values in the area have appreciated notably and the rental market is active. Major employers include healthcare (Carle Health Pekin Hospital), insurance, manufacturing, and ethanol production, alongside county and city government jobs. The city supports civic life through its park district, which operates more than a dozen parks anchored by Mineral Springs Park in the downtown core, and public transit is available through CityLink bus routes serving Pekin and connecting to Peoria.
C B Smith sits in a neighborhood context of older residential blocks and craftsman-era homes near the city center and riverfront. For families weighing this school, the immediate academic data suggests a need to understand what classroom-level support exists and what the transition plan looks like for students moving to intermediate school, especially those still building proficiency. The broader district is stable and accessible, the city is investing in growth and amenity, and housing options are available within an appreciating market.
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