The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elem School
Lincoln Elementary School serves students in grades three through five in Sterling, Illinois, a small city along the Rock River that has evolved from its industrial past into a regional retail hub. The school sits within Sterling Community Unit School District 5, which operates on separate campuses across the city and is currently undertaking a major facilities expansion, including an indoor recreation and training center at the high school funded without a tax increase.
The school's enrollment is small for its grade band, spread across the three grades it serves. Demographically, the student body is about half white and about one-third Hispanic, with smaller shares of students identifying as two or more races, Black, Asian, or American Indian/Alaska Native. The school serves students across Whiteside County; free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility data was not available, so a parent may want to look into the school's demographic profile and any support services directly with the school.
On state testing, the school shows a pattern of uneven performance across subjects and grades. In mathematics, third graders performed solidly, with proficiency in the upper range. Fourth grade saw a steep drop, with proficiency in the lower range. Fifth grade math proficiency fell further still, landing below the lower range. In English language arts, performance is more moderate across the three grades, with fourth grade performing closest to mid-range and both third and fifth grades landing below that. Science testing is available only for fifth grade, where proficiency is low. Across all tested grades and subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Whiteside County. The state cut scores changed on these assessments, so trend data comparing year-to-year improvement is not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about instructional responses to recent results and what support is in place for students not yet meeting grade-level standards.
Student participation in the state assessments was very high, above 98 percent in most grades, indicating the school is capturing nearly all students in its testing data.
Sterling itself is in the midst of significant community investment. The city recently received designation as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone, positioning it for a major riverfront development project that includes new parks, adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings, and mixed-use spaces. A walkable downtown with small shops and dining exists two blocks north of the river, and the Sterling Public Library serves as a civic anchor. Employment centers include CGH Medical Center, Wahl Clipper Corporation, and manufacturing firms, anchoring a stable but modest local economy.
Housing in the Sterling area is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks. The monthly estimated mortgage payment is below typical levels for Illinois, making it accessible for families seeking a smaller-city setting. The unemployment rate is moderate, and median household income aligns with national norms.
Lincoln Elementary is a regular public school embedded in a school district that is investing in its facilities and programs, framing a choice for families drawn to a small-town setting and community-oriented institutions. The academic results, particularly the declining proficiency as students move up through the grades, suggest that parents should have a direct conversation with school leadership about curriculum, instruction, and intervention strategies before deciding on enrollment.
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