Very Good
#648 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 17% in state
Carl Sandburg Elem School
Elementary School · Charleston CUSD 1
1924 Reynolds Dr, Charleston, IL 61920
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#1 of 5
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#426 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 6
Charleston CUSD 1
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Carl Sandburg Elem School
Carl Sandburg Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the charming town of Charleston, Illinois. Serving students from kindergarten through third grade, the school boasts an enrollment of 537 students and maintains a supportive student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a remote setting, Carl Sandburg Elem School offers a close-knit community where teachers can focus on each child's individual needs.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.1 out of 10, reflecting its academic performance as the #1308 ranked school among 3819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 66th percentile overall. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 25%, and in math, 27% of students are proficient or above. While these scores indicate room for academic growth, they also highlight the school's commitment to student development.
Carl Sandburg Elem School is deeply rooted in its community, providing a nurturing environment that supports young learners as they embark on their educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Carl Sandburg Elem School — Students at Carl Sandburg Elem School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Carl Sandburg Elem School Compares
See how Carl Sandburg Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
1924 Reynolds Dr, Charleston, IL 61920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carl Sandburg Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Crest Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Oakland), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ashmore Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Ashmore), a more accessible option. Additionally, Cumberland Elem School (rated 6.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Toledo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Twain Elem School Charleston | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Jefferson Elem School Charleston | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Charleston High School Charleston | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Charleston Middle School Charleston | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| NEW HEIGHTS ACADEMY Charleston | 3.0 mi | — |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 8.7 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 8.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary School Mattoon | 9.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Mattoon Middle School Mattoon | 9.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch Mattoon | 9.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Ashmore Elem School Ashmore | 9.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Mattoon High School Mattoon | 10.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Cumberland Elem School Toledo | 15.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Cumberland Middle School Toledo | 15.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Cumberland High School Toledo | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Riddle Elementary School Mattoon | 11.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Arcola Elementary School Arcola | 15.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Arcola High School Arcola | 15.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland | 15.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakland High School Oakland | 15.4 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,229
Median Home Value
$144,700
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
20,703
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
53.3%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
30.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carl Sandburg Elem School has a median household income of $54,229. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,700, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cantrall Elem School Cantrall, IL | 7.6 |
| Carroll Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill, IL | 7.6 |
| Creekside Elementary School Plainfield, IL | 7.6 |
| East Prairie Elem School Skokie, IL | 7.6 |
| Eastview Elem School Algonquin, IL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carl Sandburg Elem School
What grades does Carl Sandburg Elem School serve?
Carl Sandburg Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.
How many students attend Carl Sandburg Elem School?
Carl Sandburg Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 537 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Elem School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carl Sandburg Elem School rank in IL?
Carl Sandburg Elem School is ranked #648 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carl Sandburg Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carl Sandburg Elem School has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Carl Sandburg Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carl Sandburg Elem School has 27.0% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carl Sandburg Elem School a charter school?
No, Carl Sandburg Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carl Sandburg Elem School a Title I school?
No, Carl Sandburg Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carl Sandburg Elem School?
57.9% of students at Carl Sandburg Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 537
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Coles County
- Phone
- (217) 639-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 2,652
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,841
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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