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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,403

Dakota Elementary School — Students at Dakota Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
41%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
24%
2022
ELA
42%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.1/10
72th percentile in IL
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (234/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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