Very Good
#1089 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 29% in state
Dakota Elementary School
Elementary School · Dakota CUSD 201
400 Campus Dr, Dakota, IL 61018
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dakota
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#699 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 2
Dakota CUSD 201
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Dakota Elementary School
Dakota Elementary School serves 406 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural community of Dakota, Illinois. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 81st percentile among Illinois elementary schools at #742 out of 3,819 schools statewide.
With an academic score of 8.0 out of 10, Dakota Elementary shows particular strength in providing quality education to its students. In English Language Arts and reading, 42% of students across all grade levels perform at proficient or above levels. Dakota Elementary is situated in Stephenson County's rural landscape, serving a close-knit community of fewer than 1,000 residents.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, working-class area with a median household income of $73,828 and median home values around $153,800. With a low poverty rate of 6.1%, the community provides a supportive environment for learning. The school stands as an educational cornerstone in this small Illinois farming community, where families value the personal attention and community connections that come with rural education.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dakota Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Dakota Elementary School — Students at Dakota Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.1%
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: 7.3/10.
How Dakota Elementary School Compares
See how Dakota Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
400 Campus Dr, Dakota, IL 61018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dakota Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Durand Elem School (rated 9.5/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Durand), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orangeville Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Orangeville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate (rated 7.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dakota, see our Dakota schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Center Elem School Freeport | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Freeport High School Freeport | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Orangeville Jr High School Orangeville | 8.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Orangeville High School Orangeville | 8.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Orangeville Elem School Orangeville | 8.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport | 8.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport | 8.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Empire Elem School Freeport | 9.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport | 9.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport | 10.0 mi | 7.8 |
| German Valley Grade School Forreston | 11.9 mi | 3.9 |
| OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport | 10.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Pecatonica Elem School Pecatonica | 10.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Pecatonica Comm Middle School Pecatonica | 10.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Pecatonica High School Pecatonica | 10.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Durand High School Durand | 10.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Durand Elem School Durand | 10.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Durand Jr High School Durand | 10.6 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,896
Median Home Value
$162,800
Median Rent
$744/mo
Population
1,040
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
43.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dakota Elementary School has a median household income of $74,896. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,800, with a median rent of $744/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Aldridge Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.1 |
| Butler Elem School Springfield, IL | 7.1 |
| C Henry Bloom Elem School Rockford, IL | 7.1 |
| Central Road Elem School Rolling Meadows, IL | 7.1 |
| Clearmont Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 7.1 |
| Clearview Elem School Waukegan, IL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dakota Elementary School
What grades does Dakota Elementary School serve?
Dakota Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Dakota Elementary School?
Dakota Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dakota Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dakota Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dakota Elementary School rank in IL?
Dakota Elementary School is ranked #1089 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Dakota Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dakota Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Dakota Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dakota Elementary School has 34.0% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dakota Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dakota Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dakota Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dakota Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dakota Elementary School?
41.1% of students at Dakota 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 406
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stephenson County
- Phone
- (844) 632-5682
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dakota CUSD 201- District Enrollment
- 749
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,009
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.