Needs Improvement
#3764 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
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,764 of 3,813
In Joliet
#30 of 31
public schools
In district
#19 of 20
Joliet PSD 86
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Carl Sandburg Elementary
Elementary School in Joliet · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hufford Junior High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Our Savior Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Carl Sandburg Elementary
Carl Sandburg Elementary is a public elementary school in Joliet, IL, part of Joliet PSD 86. Carl Sandburg Elementary serves approximately 367 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Carl Sandburg Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,764 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Carl Sandburg Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.5
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Carl Sandburg Elementary runs 20.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View 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 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: 2.7/10.
How Carl Sandburg Elementary Compares
See how Carl Sandburg Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Troy Craughwell School (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), 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, Richland Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), 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 | 4.8 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| Joliet West High School Joliet | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Taft Elementary School Joliet | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Richland Elem School Crest Hill | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Pershing Elem School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 2.9 |
| JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Crest Hill | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Marycrest Early Childhood Center Joliet | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Troy Craughwell School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Dirksen Junior High School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Crystal Lawns Elem School Joliet | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 3.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bent Elem School Bloomington, IL | 3.0 |
| Creekside Elem Elgin, IL | 3.0 |
| Dett Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.0 |
| Hines Primary School Peoria, IL | 3.0 |
| Hope Academy Decatur, IL | 3.0 |
| Maryville Elem School Granite City, IL | 3.0 |
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 ranks #3,764 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carl Sandburg Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carl Sandburg Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Carl Sandburg Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.8%
- Phone
- (815) 725-0281
Resources & Links
District
Joliet PSD 86- District Enrollment
- 9,449
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,414
- District Rank
- #19 of 20
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