These 5 public elementary schools were recently named the best in St. Clair County

Elementary schools in O’Fallon, Mascoutah and Smithton were recently named among the top public institutions in St. Clair County, according to a 2023 Best Public Elementary Schools ranking from Niche, a site offering data on schools and colleges.

Niche creates ratings based on reviews and data. Sources include the U.S. Department of Education, Common Core Data, Civil Rights Data Collection and others.

The best public elementary schools ranking uses the following methodology:

• Academics grade: Based on state assessment proficiency, district academics grade, student to teacher ratio and parent/student surveys on academics

• Diversity grade: Based on student racial diversity index, parent/student surveys on culture and diversity, economically disadvantaged percentage and gender diversity

• Teachers grade: Based on the academics grade, parent/teacher surveys on educators, teacher absenteeism, salary index, portion of teachers in their first or second year of teaching, average salary and student-to-teacher ratio

Here’s how the overall grade for public elementary schools breaks down:

• Academics grade: 50% of overall grade

• Teachers grade: 20%

• District overall Niche grade: 15%

• Culture and diversity grade: 10%

• Parent/student surveys on overall experience: 5%

Here’s how the top five elementary schools in St. Clair County compare, according to Niche:

5. Wingate Elementary School

Grades: A overall, A academics, A teachers, A- diversity

Wingate Elementary School is home to 440 students in pre-K through fifth grade, according to Niche. Math proficiency is at 57%, state test scores show, and reading proficiency is at 52%.

The school has an 86% retention rate and a 7% chronic absenteeism rate, according to the Illinois Report Card.

4. Mascoutah Elementary School

Grades: A overall, A academics, A teachers, B diversity

More than 800 students from pre-K to fifth grade attend Mascoutah Elementary School, Niche reports. State test scores show math proficiency is at 61% and reading proficiency is at 62%.

The school has an 89% retention rate and a 6% chronic absenteeism rate, according to the Illinois Report Card.

3. Smithton Elementary School

Grades: A overall, A academics, A teachers, C diversity

Smithton Elementary School has 539 students from pre-K to eighth grade, according to Niche. Its math proficiency rate is 59% and its reading proficiency rate is 63%, state test scores report.

The institution has a 97% retention rate and a 6% chronic absenteeism rate, according to the Illinois Report Card.

2. Scott Elementary School

Grades: A overall, A academics, A- teachers, A diversity

More than 680 students from pre-K to fifth grade attend Scott Elementary School, Niche says. The school’s math proficiency rate is 56% and the reading proficiency rate is 63%.

The school, which is located at Scott Air Force Base, has a 90% retention rate and a 13% chronic absenteeism rate, according to the Illinois Report Card.

1. J. Emmett Hinchcliffe Sr. Elementary School

Grades: A overall, A academics, A teachers, B+ diversity

J. Emmett Hinchcliffe Sr. Elementary School has 405 students from pre-K to fifth grade, according to Niche. Its math proficiency rate is 64%, and the school’s reading proficiency rate is 59%.

The school, which Niche named the top-scoring institution in St. Clair County, has an 88% retention rate and a 7% chronic absenteeism rate, according to the Illinois Report Card.