West Salem Grade School

As an intimate elementary-level community in West Salem, Illinois, West Salem Grade School works with 171 students from grades K through 8, part of Edwards County CUSD 1. Compared to the state average of about 381 students per school, that is 55% smaller than typical.

West Salem Grade School is one of 3 schools operated by Edwards County CUSD 1, a district that instructs 821 students overall.

In terms of who attends, West Salem Grade School lists that the student body is overwhelmingly White (98%). Compared to Edwards County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

Looking at school resources, On paper, West Salem Grade School has 14 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 12.4:1. The state averages around 13.9:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Roughly 54% of students at West Salem Grade School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

With demographic context factored in, West Salem Grade School ranks in the top 10% of Illinois public schools. The BeatsExpectations model, a per-state regression of composite proficiency on FRL share, predicts schools with this student profile to land around 40.5%; West Salem Grade School posts 58.4%, +17.9 points above that line.

Across the wider county, ACS estimates for Edwards County put median household income runs about $60,519, 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 11%. West Salem Grade School is one of 3 public schools in Edwards County (combined enrollment of about 821 students).

Albion Grade School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 10.7 miles from this campus. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts West Salem Grade School at 1st of 8; the average score across the group is 46.3%.

The campus sits in a low-density setting.

Looking at the recent track record. West Salem Grade School's enrollment has changed only slightly since 2018, when it stood at 173 (now 171).

In the discussion threads here, posts here usually surface around sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.