The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Math. The lowest is 47% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Troy Craughwell School
Troy Craughwell School is an early-elementary school in Joliet serving children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. It enrolls a small student body, with about half the pupils identifying as Hispanic, roughly a quarter as white, a smaller share as Black, and a small number of students of Asian descent. The school sits in a working-class pocket of a larger industrial and logistics hub city, in a district now managing significant enrollment pressure.
Recent state testing data shows mixed results. In third-grade math, proficiency stands at a solid level, well above half of students meeting the standard. Fourth-grade math performance is notably weaker, with fewer than half of students proficient, a gap worth understanding directly with the school. Third- and fourth-grade English language arts proficiency both sit around the midpoint or slightly below. Science results are unavailable, a reflection of the fact that standardized science testing in Illinois targets only fifth and eighth grades, which this school does not serve. Performance across tested subjects and grades sits below the median for elementary schools in Will County, placing Craughwell in a position where parents may want to look into the school's curriculum approach and instructional strategies, particularly in mathematics progression from third to fourth grade.
The school is part of Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C, a district experiencing significant growth. Enrollment demand has grown enough that the district is adding eight modular classrooms to Craughwell for the 2025-26 school year, signaling both rising demand and some growing-pains pressures on facilities. The broader district has committed to converting its entire school bus fleet to zero-emission electric vehicles, a long-term sustainability and operational commitment that will reshape transportation over the next several years. The district also adopted a 2024-2027 strategic plan with measurable safety and academic goals, indicating a structured approach to planning rather than year-to-year decision-making.
Housing in Joliet and the surrounding area is moderately affordable for the region, with median listing prices well below state and national benchmarks. Rental costs are stable. The city itself is a large suburban center about forty miles southwest of Chicago, with a mixed character: an aging industrial core on the east side and extensive newer residential subdivisions spreading westward. Downtown Joliet has seen recent investment, including streetscape work and new civic amenities. The local employment base includes large logistics and manufacturing operations as well as healthcare, education, and gaming. For families, Joliet offers a working-class to middle-class suburban setting with relatively lower housing costs than communities closer to Chicago, but also a school system in transition managing rapid growth.
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