Very Good
#852 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 22% in state
Carman-buckner Elem School
Elementary School · Waukegan CUSD 60
520 Helmholz Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waukegan
#2 of 23
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#550 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 22
Waukegan CUSD 60
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Carman-buckner Elem School
Carman-Buckner Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Waukegan, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 485 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to its young learners. The school boasts 38 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students thrive in a suburban setting.
Carman-Buckner Elem School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and is ranked 2652nd out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it at the 31st percentile academically. The school's academic score is 1.9/10, with only 6% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 4% proficient or above in math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is likely focusing on student development and growth.
Carman-Buckner Elem School is situated in a large suburban area that offers a diverse range of resources and amenities to support its students and their families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Carman-buckner Elem School 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Carman-buckner Elem School — Students at Carman-buckner Elem School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.8%
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
→ 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: 9.1/10.
How Carman-buckner Elem School Compares
See how Carman-buckner Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 9% (2022).
Location
520 Helmholz Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carman-buckner Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MOST BLESSED TRINITY ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is LEARN John Kathy Schreiber Chrtr (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Evelyn Alexander School (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby North Chicago), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waukegan, see our Waukegan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MENTA ACADEMY NORTH Waukegan | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Andrew Cooke Magnet Elem School Waukegan | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Evelyn Alexander School North Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Waukegan High School Waukegan | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Robert E Abbott Middle School Waukegan | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| MOST BLESSED TRINITY ACADEMY Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Lyon Magnet Elementary School Waukegan | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| John R Lewis Middle School Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| North Elem School Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| LIONS MATH AND SCIENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hyde Park Elem School Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| North Chicago Community High Sch North Chicago | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Washington Elem School Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Glen Flora Elem School Waukegan | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Edith M Smith Middle School Waukegan | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| ST ANASTASIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukegan | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Whittier Elem School Waukegan | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Neal Math Science Academy North Chicago | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| LEARN John Kathy Schreiber Chrtr Waukegan | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,330
Median Home Value
$164,800
Median Rent
$1,133/mo
Population
72,763
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
46.6%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carman-buckner Elem School has a median household income of $64,330. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,800, with a median rent of $1,133/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Barton Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.4 |
| Betsy Ross Elem School Prospect Heights, IL | 7.4 |
| Coventry Elem School Crystal Lake, IL | 7.4 |
| Edgar A Poe Elem School Arlington Heights, IL | 7.4 |
| Eisenhower School South Holland, IL | 7.4 |
| Grissom Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carman-buckner Elem School
What grades does Carman-buckner Elem School serve?
Carman-buckner Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Carman-buckner Elem School?
Carman-buckner Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 485 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carman-buckner Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carman-buckner Elem School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carman-buckner Elem School rank in IL?
Carman-buckner Elem School is ranked #852 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carman-buckner Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carman-buckner Elem School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Carman-buckner Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carman-buckner Elem School has 3.8% math proficiency and 6.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carman-buckner Elem School a charter school?
No, Carman-buckner Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carman-buckner Elem School a Title I school?
No, Carman-buckner Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carman-buckner Elem School?
85.8% of students at Carman-buckner 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 54 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 42 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,072/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waukegan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 485
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (224) 303-1500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waukegan CUSD 60- District Enrollment
- 13,666
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,843
- District Rank
- #1 of 22
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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