Excellent
#12 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 1% in state
Creston Elem School
Elementary School · Creston CCSD 161
202 W South St, Creston, IL 60113
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
9.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
9.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois elementary schools
#11 of 2,326
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Creston Elem School
Creston Elementary School is a public school in Creston, Illinois, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of 80. The small student body supports a student-teacher ratio of 8.0:1, giving students consistent access to individualized instruction. MySchoolScout rates the school Exceptional with a composite score of 9.7 out of 10.
The academic performance here is hard to overstate. Creston ranks 12th out of 3,813 public schools across Illinois and 11th out of 2,326 elementary schools statewide — placing it among a tiny fraction of schools at the very top. Its academic score of 9.5 reflects strong proficiency, while a growth score of 9.9 signals that students are making exceptional learning gains year over year.
What separates Creston further is that it outperforms 100% of Illinois public schools on MySchoolScout's composite measure. For a school of just 80 students in a small Illinois community, that standing is remarkable and data-driven. Families comparing elementary options in the region will find a school where a low student-teacher ratio, elite statewide rank, and exceptional growth combine into a clear picture: students here are learning at an unusually high level.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 80 students, Creston Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Creston Elem School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Creston Elem School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Creston Elem School — Students at Creston Elem School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Creston Elem School Compares
See how Creston Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
202 W South St, Creston, IL 60113
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Creston Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hiawatha Elem Sch PreK-5 (rated 8.9/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Kirkland), with a comparable rating. Another option is Indian Creek Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Shabbona), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Kings Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Kings), a more accessible option. For more schools in Creston, see our Creston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rochelle Middle School Rochelle | 4.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Steward Elementary School Steward | 6.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Central Elem School Rochelle | 5.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Tilton Elem School Rochelle | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rochelle | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Rochelle Twp High School Rochelle | 5.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Malta Elementary School Malta | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Lincoln Elem School Rochelle | 6.2 mi | 2.6 |
| Eswood C C Grade School Lindenwood | 9.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Kings Elementary School Kings | 8.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Monroe Center Grade School Monroe Center | 12.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Indian Creek Elementary School Shabbona | 12.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Indian Creek High School Shabbona | 12.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Hiawatha Jr/Sr High School Kirkland | 12.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Hiawatha Elem Sch PreK-5 Kirkland | 12.8 mi | 8.9 |
| DeKalb High School Dekalb | 10.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb | 10.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 11.0 mi | 6.3 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 11.0 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,536
Median Home Value
$179,500
Median Rent
$870/mo
Population
301
College Educated
34.1%
Homeownership
73.9%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Creston Elem School has a median household income of $70,536. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,500, with a median rent of $870/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Akin Comm Cons Elem School Akin, IL | 9.5 |
| Deland-Weldon Elem School Weldon, IL | 9.4 |
| Lincoln Elem School Chicago Heights, IL | 9.4 |
| Greenview Elementary School Greenview, IL | 9.3 |
| Mount Erie Elem School Mount Erie, IL | 9.2 |
| ALCUIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park, IL | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Creston Elem School
What grades does Creston Elem School serve?
Creston Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Creston Elem School?
Creston Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 80 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Creston Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Creston Elem School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Creston Elem School rank in IL?
Creston Elem School is ranked #12 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Creston Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Creston Elem School has a composite rating of 9.7 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 Creston Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Creston Elem School has 39.5% math proficiency and 41.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Creston Elem School a charter school?
No, Creston Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Creston Elem School a Title I school?
No, Creston Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Creston Elem School?
50.0% of students at Creston 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 80
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ogle County
- Phone
- (815) 384-3920
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Creston CCSD 161- District Enrollment
- 80
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,330
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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