Average
#2840 of 3,813 schools in IL
Carl Sandburg Elementary
Elementary School · Joliet PSD 86
1100 Lilac Ln, Joliet, IL 60435
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Joliet
#21 of 31
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,684 of 2,326
In district
#15 of 20
Joliet PSD 86
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Carl Sandburg Elementary
Carl Sandburg Elementary is a regular public school located in Joliet, Illinois, nestled within Will County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 367 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, supported by 18 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a large suburban area, Carl Sandburg Elementary is part of the local community, offering a familiar setting for families nearby.
While the school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and its state ranking at #3522 among 3819 Illinois schools indicate room for academic growth, it continues to focus on student development and support within the broader community. With ELA/Reading proficiency rates at 9% and Math proficiency rates at 2%, Carl Sandburg Elementary is striving to improve educational outcomes for its students. The school’s setting in a suburban area provides a supportive environment where families can engage with their children's education and participate in local activities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Carl Sandburg Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Elementary is 20.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Carl Sandburg Elementary — Students at Carl Sandburg Elementary score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.8%
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
↓ 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: 7.5/10.
How Carl Sandburg Elementary Compares
See how Carl Sandburg Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
1100 Lilac Ln, Joliet, IL 60435
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carl Sandburg Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richland Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Troy Craughwell School (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Joliet, see our Joliet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hufford Junior High School Joliet | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Joliet | 0.5 mi | — |
| TLC LEARNING CENTER Crest Hill | 0.6 mi | — |
| JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY Joliet | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elem School Joliet | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Joliet West High School Joliet | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Taft Elementary School Joliet | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Richland Elem School Crest Hill | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Pershing Elem School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Crest Hill | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Marycrest Early Childhood Center Joliet | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Troy Craughwell School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Dirksen Junior High School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Crystal Lawns Elem School Joliet | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| CATHEDRAL OF ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Joliet | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| UCP-CDS-MELVIN J LARSON SCHOOL Joliet | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Grand Prairie Elem School Joliet | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60435 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,967
Median Home Value
$217,200
Median Rent
$1,145/mo
Population
48,521
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carl Sandburg Elementary has a median household income of $74,967. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,200, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Arthur Froberg Elem School Rockford, IL | 5.3 |
| Bluffview Elem School Dupo, IL | 5.3 |
| Canterbury Elem School Crystal Lake, IL | 5.3 |
| Chase Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.3 |
| Crystal Lawns Elem School Joliet, IL | 5.3 |
| Dr Bessie Rhodes-Global Studies Skokie, IL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carl Sandburg Elementary
What grades does Carl Sandburg Elementary serve?
Carl Sandburg Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Carl Sandburg Elementary?
Carl Sandburg Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 367 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Elementary is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carl Sandburg Elementary rank in IL?
Carl Sandburg Elementary is ranked #2840 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carl Sandburg Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carl Sandburg Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carl Sandburg Elementary has 2.5% math proficiency and 9.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carl Sandburg Elementary a charter school?
No, Carl Sandburg Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carl Sandburg Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carl Sandburg Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carl Sandburg Elementary?
94.8% of students at Carl Sandburg Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,601/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Joliet). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 367
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Will County
- Phone
- (815) 725-0281
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Joliet PSD 86- District Enrollment
- 9,449
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,414
- District Rank
- #15 of 20
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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