Below Average
#2972 of 3,813 schools in IL
Carl Sandburg Elem School
Elementary School · Charleston CUSD 1
1924 Reynolds Dr, Charleston, IL 61920
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#2,972 of 3,813
In Charleston
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#3 of 6
Charleston CUSD 1
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Carl Sandburg Elem School
Elementary School in Charleston · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mark Twain Elem School
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Jefferson Elem School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Carl Sandburg Elem School
Carl Sandburg Elem School is a public elementary school in Charleston, IL, part of Charleston CUSD 1. Carl Sandburg Elem School serves approximately 537 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Carl Sandburg Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,972 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Carl Sandburg Elem School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 4.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Carl Sandburg Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.0/10.
How Carl Sandburg Elem School Compares
See how Carl Sandburg Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Mark Twain Elem School (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Mattoon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch (rated 5.6/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Mattoon), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.3 |
| Jefferson Elem School Charleston | 1.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Charleston High School Charleston | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Charleston Middle School Charleston | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch Mattoon | 9.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Ashmore Elem School Ashmore | 9.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Mattoon High School Mattoon | 10.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Cumberland Elem School Toledo | 15.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Cumberland Middle School Toledo | 15.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Cumberland High School Toledo | 15.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Riddle Elementary School Mattoon | 11.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Arcola Elementary School Arcola | 15.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Arcola High School Arcola | 15.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland | 15.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Oakland High School Oakland | 15.4 mi | 6.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BLESSED SACRAMENT Springfield, IL | 4.9 |
| Catalyst Charter-Circle Rock ES Chicago, IL | 4.9 |
| Central Elem School Lewistown, IL | 4.9 |
| Corkery Elem School Chicago, IL | 4.9 |
| Drexel Elem School Cicero, IL | 4.9 |
| East Side Intermediate School Harrisburg, IL | 4.9 |
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 ranks #2,972 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carl Sandburg Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carl Sandburg Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Carl Sandburg Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Carl Sandburg Elem School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.6%
- Phone
- (217) 639-4000
Resources & Links
District
Charleston CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 2,652
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,841
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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