Central Elem School

Located at 15501 E Avenue L, in Lewistown, Illinois, Central Elem School is a moderately sized elementary school that serves 326 students (grades pre-K through 6), part of Lewistown CUSD 97.

Lewistown CUSD 97 comprises 2 schools with combined enrollment of 588 students; Central Elem School is among them.

On demographics, Central Elem School logs that nearly all students (95%) are White. Beyond that, the school reports 4% multiracial. Compared to Fulton County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Central Elem School has 26 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 12.8:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.9:1, putting Central Elem School tighter than the state norm the norm. About 53% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

With demographic context factored in, On a poverty-adjusted basis, Central Elem School sits in the bottom 10% statewide. Predicted proficiency from the FRL regression is roughly 40.9%; actual is 25.0%, a gap of -15.9 points.

In the surrounding community, census data for Fulton County shows median household earnings sit near $60,599, 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 9%. In all, Fulton County runs 24 public schools (combined enrollment of about 4,160 students), of which Central Elem School is one.

The closest other public school is Lewistown Jr/Sr High School, roughly 1.7 miles away. Within ten miles, there are 7 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas. Among the 9 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Central Elem School ranks 9th on composite proficiency, behind the local average of 35.5%.

Geographically, the school is in a rural area.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Central Elem School has ticked down 11%, going from 368 students in 2018 to 326 in 2025. Class-load math has narrowed: from 15.3:1 in 2018 to 12.8:1 in 2025.

On allk12, recent activity here tends to focus on classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. The community welcomes input from current and former families.