Needs Improvement
#3603 of 3,813 schools in IL
Cortland Elementary School
Elementary School · DeKalb CUSD 428
370 E Lexington Ave, Cortland, IL 60112
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,603 of 3,813
In district
#10 of 12
DeKalb CUSD 428
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Cortland Elementary School
Elementary School in Cortland · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Littlejohn Elem School
3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Prairie Elementary School
4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cortland Elementary School
Cortland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cortland, IL, part of DeKalb CUSD 428. Cortland Elementary School serves approximately 505 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cortland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,603 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Cortland Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Cortland Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cortland Elementary School — Students at Cortland Elementary School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.4%
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: 2.4/10.
How Cortland Elementary School Compares
See how Cortland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
370 E Lexington Ave, Cortland, IL 60112
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cortland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Grove Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Another option is AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cortland, see our Cortland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb | 3.9 mi | 4.4 |
| South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore | 4.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Founders Elementary School Dekalb | 3.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Southeast Elem School Sycamore | 5.2 mi | 6.0 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 4.0 mi | 4.0 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 4.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb | 4.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb | 4.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Sycamore High School Sycamore | 5.6 mi | 6.3 |
| West Elem School Sycamore | 5.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dekalb | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore | 6.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 4.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Sycamore Middle School Sycamore | 6.5 mi | 5.8 |
| DeKalb High School Dekalb | 5.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb | 5.7 mi | 3.1 |
| North Elementary School Sycamore | 7.1 mi | 6.5 |
| North Grove Elementary School Sycamore | 7.6 mi | 7.9 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore | 7.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,506
Median Home Value
$202,400
Median Rent
$1,420/mo
Population
4,611
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
31.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL | 3.7 |
| Cather Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.7 |
| Central Park Elem School Midlothian, IL | 3.7 |
| Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis, IL | 3.7 |
| Gavin Central Elementary School Ingleside, IL | 3.7 |
| George O Barr School Silvis, IL | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cortland Elementary School
What grades does Cortland Elementary School serve?
Cortland Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cortland Elementary School?
Cortland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 505 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cortland Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cortland Elementary School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cortland Elementary School rank in IL?
Cortland Elementary School ranks #3,603 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Cortland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cortland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Cortland Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cortland Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Cortland Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cortland Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cortland Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cortland Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cortland Elementary School?
63.4% of students at Cortland Elementary 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 505
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- DeKalb County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.5%
- Phone
- (815) 754-2360
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb CUSD 428- District Enrollment
- 6,719
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,665
- District Rank
- #10 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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