The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Rochester Elem 2-3
Rochester Elementary 2-3 serves grade 2 and 3 students in Rochester, a small suburban village about 7 to 8 miles from Springfield. The school is a regular public elementary building with an enrollment of a few hundred students, the vast majority of whom are white. The student population includes only a small share of students identifying as Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian Alaska Native, or multiracial, and data on free or reduced-price lunch status, special education, and English learners was not available.
On the most recent state assessment administered in 2024-25, grade 3 students at Rochester Elementary 2-3 showed mixed performance. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was below midpoint, with fewer than half the tested students reaching proficiency. Math proficiency in grade 3 was also below the midpoint. This represents a baseline for early elementary performance at this particular building. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Sangamon County.
The school is part of Rochester CUSD 3A, a district that has recently invested substantially in modernizing its facilities. A major construction project at the high school, which broke ground in November 2024 and opened to students in January 2026, brought new STEM classrooms, a student services suite with mental health support, and enhanced security measures including double-secured main entrances at both the high school and elementary school. These security upgrades and support infrastructure extend to the elementary level where Rochester Elementary 2-3 operates.
Rochester itself is a quiet, family-oriented bedroom community where most working residents commute to Springfield. The village has experienced steady suburban growth over recent decades and continues to expand, as reflected in the district's capital investments. Housing values in the Rochester area are below the state benchmark, making it a relatively affordable suburban option for families seeking proximity to Springfield with a small-town setting. The village has limited street-life character and no substantial downtown; civic amenities center on a small cluster combining village hall, library, and community meeting spaces, along with a municipal park.
A parent enrolling a child in grade 2 or 3 at this school would be placing them in an early elementary setting with recent facility improvements to security and support services, but should be aware that current proficiency rates in both math and ELA are below the county median. The school's location in a growing, residential suburb means a fairly homogeneous peer group and a community oriented toward families with school-age children. Whether this school's academic trajectory and peer environment fit a family's needs would benefit from a conversation with the school or district about current instructional priorities and recent changes in early grade performance.
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