Thomas Metcalf School Normal IL (2026 List)

About Thomas Metcalf School

Thomas Metcalf School is located at ISU Campus Box 7000, Normal, IL 61790, serving families through Illinois State University’s laboratory school setting. It serves students in prekindergarten through grade 8, extending elementary and middle-grade learning on one public campus. Enrollment is 449 students, giving the school a compact K–8 scale within the ISU Laboratory Schools district. The student–teacher ratio is 9:1, based on reported enrollment and full-time classroom staffing. The student body is 53% male and 47% female. State testing shows 58% math proficiency and 58% reading proficiency. Thomas Metcalf operates as a regular non-charter public laboratory school, where teacher preparation, classroom observation, and educational research are built into the school model. Its program anchor gives the campus a distinctive role in Normal’s public education landscape, with admission handled through an annual application and blind lottery process. Local housing values average $264,029, placing Normal’s market in a moderate central Illinois range near university, park, and employment access. Compared with standard neighborhood campuses, Thomas Metcalf presents a selective laboratory-school profile with PK–8 continuity for families reviewing a best elementary school in Illinois pathway.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 58%

Reading 58%

State average proficiency is 58% in Math and 58% in Reading.

49

Full-time Teachers

9 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

2

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

449

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 71.27%

Asian 8.46%

Hispanic 10.02%

Black 3.12%

Two+ Races 7.13%

Native Am. 0%

White

71.27%

Asian

8.46%

Hispanic

10.02%

Black

3.12%

Two+ Races

7.13%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 449

46.77%

210 Female

53.23%

239 Male

Student Population

449 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 9 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

427 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Thomas Metcalf School Contact Information

Address

Isu Campus Box 7000, Normal, IL 61790

View on Map

Phone

(309) 438-7621

Call Now

Website

metcalf.illinoisstate.edu

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:45 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Thomas Metcalf School’s latest official notifications are for the close of the 2025-2026 school year and summer office hours. The school lists May 22, 2026, as the last day of school with summer office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. These updates help families plan end-of-year routines, summer communication and school-related questions once classes are over. The notice is practical for the current families and new applicants preparing for the next academic year.

FAQ

Q1. How does a student get enrolled in Thomas Metcalf School?

Ans. Thomas Metcalf School has an annual application process and any available seats are filled through a blind lottery after the application window closes.

Q2. Does Thomas Metcalf School serve families outside of Normal?

Ans. Thomas Metcalf School does accept applications from students that live within a 60 mile radius not just from one neighborhood boundary.

Q3. What distinguishes Thomas Metcalf School from many public schools?

Ans. Thomas Metcalf School is a laboratory school that offers teacher candidates opportunities to observe instruction, practice methods, and gain experience in the classroom.

Q4. Are there any extracurricular activities at the Thomas Metcalf School?

Ans. Thomas Metcalf School offers many activities for students to explore their interests outside the day’s lessons and to connect with the school.

Q5. Why might families choose Thomas Metcalf School?

Ans. Families who want a public K–8 option with application-based admission, university connections and a laboratory learning approach might consider Thomas Metcalf School a good fit.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say