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B−
Schools in Waterman · Indian Creek Community Unit District 425

Waterman’s public schools score below 53% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Waterman, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Waterman, 29% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Illinois average (26%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
27%
▼ 3 pts vs IL 30%
2020–21
Math proficiency
29%
▲ 3 pts vs IL 26%
2020–21
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 4–8 pts vs IL 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.3K
▼ 20% vs IL $21.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.5
IL 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
750 students on the public path
In brief

Waterman’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1085 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Waterman’s, its schools beat 32%, lower than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 27% and math 29% in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,266 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Indian Creek Middle School, then Indian Creek High School. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Waterman’s grade

B Test scoresC− Graduation

B−: better than 47% of Illinois school districts. Test scores are above the Illinois average; graduation is below it.

Illinois school districts we grade (887)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
Illinois towns with similar household incomes (1085)Better than 32%
C−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 349 test results and a graduating class of 63 could put Waterman anywhere from C− to B+. The tests are from spring 2021, when nearly all of Waterman’s students in the tested grades sat them (342 in math, 356 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waterman, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Indian Creek Elementary Schoolin ShabbonaA
5–8Indian Creek Middle SchoolIndian Creek Community Unit District 425B−
9–12Indian Creek High Schoolin ShabbonaB+

Waterman’s public schools are run by Indian Creek Community Unit District 425, which also serves Afton, Clinton, Lee and Milan and others. 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.

Indian Creek Community Unit District 425Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 750 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 11.5 per teacher (IL 13.6)
$17,266IL $21,567 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2020–21

Below the state in reading

Reading27%
State average 29.9% · 356 students tested
Math29%
State average 25.8% · 342 students tested

Waterman vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Waterman’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WatermanB−Indian Creek Community Unit District 425

Every school in Waterman

3 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).

Also serving Watermanin other towns
Indian Creek Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Shabbona
A
269 students10:1Rate it →
Indian Creek Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B−
213 students12:1Rate it →
Indian Creek High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Shabbona
B+
268 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Waterman’s schools

Are Waterman’s schools good?

On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waterman children attend score below 53% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Waterman in?

Indian Creek Community Unit District 425, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 750 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Waterman kids go to high school?

Indian Creek High School in Shabbona, with 268 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Waterman’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Indian Creek Community Unit District 425 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.

How much does Waterman spend per student?

$17,266 in Indian Creek Community Unit District 425 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Waterman families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waterman → 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.