Thomas Metcalf School

Set in Normal, Illinois, Thomas Metcalf School is a moderately sized K-5 school, part of ISU Laboratory Schools. It educates 459 students across grades pre-K through 8. Compared to the state average of about 381 students per school, that is 20% larger than typical.

ISU Laboratory Schools runs 2 schools in total, collectively educating 1,083 students. Thomas Metcalf School is one of those campuses.

In terms of who attends, Thomas Metcalf School shows that 71% of the student body identifies as White. The remainder breaks down as 10% Hispanic, 9% Asian, 7% multiracial, 3% Black.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Thomas Metcalf School reports 53 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 8.7:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.9:1, putting Thomas Metcalf School tighter than the state norm the norm. Roughly 7% of students at Thomas Metcalf School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator. By comparison, McLean County runs at roughly 40%, so the school's eligibility rate is somewhat below the surrounding baseline.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Thomas Metcalf School tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 67.5% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 71.5%.

In the broader community, census data for McLean County shows median household earnings sit near $79,905, 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 7%. Across McLean County's 60 public schools (combined enrollment of about 23,759 students), Thomas Metcalf School is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Kingsley Jr High School, roughly 0.2 miles away. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around Thomas Metcalf School. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Thomas Metcalf School at 1st of 8; the average score across the group is 39.7%.

The school occupies a residential site.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Thomas Metcalf School has ticked up 7%, going from 427 students in 2018 to 459 in 2025. The White share of enrollment decreased from 76% to 71% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio pulled in from 10.4:1 in 2018 to 8.7:1 today.

On the community side, posts here usually surface around science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.