Photo: artistmac · CC BY-SA 2.0Normal’s public schools outscore 68% of Illinois districts
In Normal, 30% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Normal, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Normal’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1408 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Normal’s, its schools beat 85%, higher than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 31% and math 30% in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,899 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
16 elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Normal’s grade
B+: better than 68% of Illinois school districts, #294 of 768 Illinois towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Illinois average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Normal, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Normal · depends on your address
Sugar Creek Elem School
Grades PK–5 · 468 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Parkside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 322 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Brigham Elementary
Grades PK · 313 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bloomington
9th grade in Normal · depends on your address
Normal Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,079 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Normal Community West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,590 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Normal · depends on your address
Normal Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,079 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Normal Community West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,590 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Normal · depends on your address
Normal Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,079 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Normal Community West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,590 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Normal · depends on your address
Normal Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,079 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Normal Community West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,590 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Normal’s public schools are run by McLean County Unit School District 5. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Normal vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Normal’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | B+ | McLean County Unit School District 5 |
| Bloomington City | B | McLean County Unit School District 5 PK–12 · Bloomington School District 87 PK–12 |
| Bloomington | B | McLean County Unit School District 5 PK–12 · Bloomington School District 87 PK–12 |
| Normal Township | — | McLean County Unit School District 5 |
| Towanda | B+ | McLean County Unit School District 5 |
All 4 neighbors share McLean County Unit School District 5 with Normal, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Normal
22 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Normal’s schools
Are Normal’s schools good?
By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Normal children attend outscore 68% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #294 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Normal in?
McLean County Unit School District 5, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,407 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do Normal kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School.
What is Normal’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in McLean County Unit School District 5 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Normal spend per student?
$16,899 in McLean County Unit School District 5 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Normal families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Normal → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.