Serving 337 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Nicholson Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 15-19% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Kindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 337 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 88%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in IL
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 30-39% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Nicholson Elementary School serves the southern part of Montgomery, IL, covering an area of approximately 3.3 square miles. Families within this zone typically live 5 to 10 minutes away from the school, with the furthest edge being about 2.1 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Nicholson Elementary School's student population of 337 students has grown by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 21 teachers has declined by 8% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
337 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1902
School Motto
Fostering an Environment of Equity and Opportunity
School Rankings
Nicholson Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nicholson Elementary School is 0.43, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2844 out of 3542 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
27%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
30%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-39%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
6%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
74%
29%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
10%
16%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
12%
45%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
3%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)29.7%
29.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
46%
43%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
8%
3%
Showing 2004–2014. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nicholson Elementary School's ranking?
Nicholson Elementary School is ranked #2844 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while 15-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
How many students attend Nicholson Elementary School?
337 students attend Nicholson Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
74% of Nicholson Elementary School students are Hispanic, 12% of students are White, 10% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Nicholson Elementary School?
Nicholson Elementary School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Nicholson Elementary School offer ?
Nicholson Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is Nicholson Elementary School part of?
Nicholson Elementary School is part of Aurora West USD 129 School District.
School Calendar
View the Nicholson Elementary School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Thanksgiving Break - No School
November 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
Thanksgiving Break - No School
November 26, 2026 (Thursday)
Thanksgiving Break - No School
November 27, 2026 (Friday)
School Reviews
1 10/10/2025
I attended as a child and I was bullied a lot. Great teachers though. They're amazing people. But they need to work on the bully problem much, much, much more.
Review Nicholson Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
