New Baden Elementary School

Located at 700 Marilyn Dr, in New Baden, Illinois, New Baden Elementary School is an intimate elementary-level community that teaches 246 students (grades K through 3), part of Wesclin CUSD 3. That puts it 35% smaller than the typical public school in Illinois, which averages around 381 students.

Within Wesclin CUSD 3, which oversees 4 schools and 1,288 students, New Baden Elementary School is one campus in the system.

Demographically, New Baden Elementary School logs that 79% of the student body identifies as White. Beyond that, the school logs 15% Hispanic, 3% multiracial, 2% Black. By comparison, Clinton County as a whole is about 91% White, so the school skews noticeably less White than its surroundings.

Looking at school resources, Staff filings list 17 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 14.5:1 students per teacher. The state averages about 13.9:1, putting this campus right in line with peers. Roughly 41% of students at New Baden Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal.

With demographic context factored in, New Baden Elementary School sits in the top 10% of Illinois schools after the BeatsExpectations adjustment. Predicted proficiency for the school's FRL share is roughly 48.0%; actual is 70.0%, +22.0 points clear of the demographic baseline.

In the broader community, census data for Clinton County shows median household earnings sit near $86,588, roughly 26% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Across Clinton County's 19 public schools (combined enrollment of about 5,278 students), New Baden Elementary School is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Wesclin Sr High School, roughly 2.0 miles away. Within five miles, there are 5 other public schools. Among the 9 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), New Baden Elementary School ranks 4th on composite proficiency, above the local average of 64.8%.

The campus sits in a rural setting.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count edged up 10%: 223 students in 2018 compared to 246 in 2025. Hispanic enrollment moved from 9% to 15% across the same window.

In the discussion threads here, posts here usually surface around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.