Very Good
#755 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 20% in state
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch
Middle School · Freeport SD 145
1717 W Eby St, Freeport, IL 61032
Enrollment
437
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
437
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Freeport
#2 of 8
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#132 of 684
In district
#2 of 8
Freeport SD 145
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Carl Sandburg Middle Sch
Carl Sandburg Middle School is a regular public school located in Freeport, Illinois, nestled in Stephenson County. The school serves students in grades five and six with an enrollment of 437 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, the school ensures that each student receives individual attention from its dedicated team of 34 full-time equivalent teachers.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Carl Sandburg Middle School has an overall score of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks at number 1327 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. The academic performance places the school around the 65th percentile statewide, with room for improvement in ELA/Reading (14% proficiency) and Math (11% proficiency). Despite these challenges, the school community remains committed to fostering a supportive environment where students can grow academically and socially.
Carl Sandburg Middle School is situated in the heart of Freeport, offering easy access for families who live nearby. The setting in Freeport provides a small-town feel with a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place for middle schoolers to explore their interests and develop meaningful relationships with peers and educators alike.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch — Students at Carl Sandburg Middle Sch score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73%
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: 8.9/10.
How Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Compares
See how Carl Sandburg Middle Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
1717 W Eby St, Freeport, IL 61032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carl Sandburg Middle Sch may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pearl City Jr High School (rated 8.0/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Pearl City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Orangeville Jr High School (rated 7.7/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Orangeville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lena-Winslow Jr High School (rated 7.0/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Lena), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Freeport, see our Freeport schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Empire Elem School Freeport | 0.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Freeport High School Freeport | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Center Elem School Freeport | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Dakota Elementary School Dakota | 9.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota | 9.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Eastland Elementary School Shannon | 10.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Pearl City High School Pearl City | 9.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Pearl City Elementary School Pearl City | 9.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Pearl City Jr High School Pearl City | 9.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Orangeville Jr High School Orangeville | 12.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Orangeville High School Orangeville | 12.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Orangeville Elem School Orangeville | 12.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston | 12.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Forreston Grade School Forreston | 12.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Lena-Winslow Jr High School Lena | 10.2 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,179
Median Home Value
$106,800
Median Rent
$769/mo
Population
29,072
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carl Sandburg Middle Sch has a median household income of $54,179. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,800, with a median rent of $769/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Middle School Berwyn, IL | 7.5 |
| Jewel Middle School North Aurora, IL | 7.5 |
| McClure Jr High School Western Springs, IL | 7.5 |
| Winston Campus Jr High Palatine, IL | 7.5 |
| Churchville Middle School Elmhurst, IL | 7.6 |
| East St Louis-Lincoln Middle Sch East Saint Louis, IL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carl Sandburg Middle Sch
What grades does Carl Sandburg Middle Sch serve?
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Carl Sandburg Middle Sch?
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch has an enrollment of approximately 437 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Middle Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Carl Sandburg Middle Sch is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carl Sandburg Middle Sch rank in IL?
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch is ranked #755 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carl Sandburg Middle Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Middle Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carl Sandburg Middle Sch has 11.0% math proficiency and 14.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carl Sandburg Middle Sch a charter school?
No, Carl Sandburg Middle Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carl Sandburg Middle Sch a Title I school?
No, Carl Sandburg Middle Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carl Sandburg Middle Sch?
73.0% of students at Carl Sandburg Middle Sch 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 (Freeport). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 437
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Stephenson County
- Phone
- (815) 232-0340
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Freeport SD 145- District Enrollment
- 3,638
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,580
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
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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