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Average

#2990 of 3,813 schools in IL

Dekalb High School

High School · DeKalb CUSD 428

501 W Dresser Rd, Dekalb, IL 60115

Enrollment

2,070

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dekalb

#6 of 6

public schools

Illinois high schools

#591 of 703

In district

#9 of 12

DeKalb CUSD 428

About Dekalb High School

DeKalb High School serves 2,070 students in grades 9-12 in DeKalb, Illinois, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 across 134 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #2,375 out of 3,819 Illinois high schools and maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10, indicating opportunities for academic growth and development. With 23% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, the school is working to strengthen academic outcomes for its diverse student body.

The substantial enrollment of over 2,000 students creates a large school environment where students can find various opportunities to connect and engage. DeKalb High School draws students from a community where the median household income is $47,310 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with a poverty rate of 26.4% and median home values around $193,700.

The school's ZIP code area serves a population of 42,456 residents. Located on West Dresser Road, DeKalb High School sits in a rural setting near the town of DeKalb, providing students with both small-town community connections and access to the resources of a larger educational institution.

What Parents Should Know

Dekalb High School is a large school with 2,070 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Located in a rural area, Dekalb High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,840

Dekalb High School — Students at Dekalb High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2022
ELA
23%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Dekalb High School Compares

See how Dekalb High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in IL
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
134 teachers

Location

501 W Dresser Rd, Dekalb, IL 60115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dekalb High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southeast Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Malta Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Malta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dekalb, see our Dekalb schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Elem School Dekalb 0.5 mi 5.9
Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb 0.9 mi 5.6
Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb 1.3 mi 6.0
Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb 1.5 mi 6.3
Founders Elementary School Dekalb 2.4 mi 6.2
Tyler Elementary School De Kalb 2.4 mi 5.1
Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb 2.5 mi 5.1
Huntley Middle School Dekalb 3.0 mi 6.3
DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb 3.0 mi 5.2
Sycamore High School Sycamore 3.5 mi 5.1
South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore 3.3 mi 6.2
West Elem School Sycamore 3.9 mi 7.0
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore 4.1 mi 6.6
AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore 4.3 mi 6.8
Southeast Elem School Sycamore 4.3 mi 7.8
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore 5.1 mi
North Elementary School Sycamore 5.1 mi 4.9
Sycamore Middle School Sycamore 5.0 mi 5.1
Malta Elementary School Malta 4.7 mi 7.2
Cortland Elementary School Cortland 5.4 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,808

Median Home Value

$205,700

Median Rent

$1,018/mo

Population

42,461

College Educated

35.8%

Homeownership

42.8%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

26.1%

Median Age

26

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dekalb High School has a median household income of $46,808. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,700, with a median rent of $1,018/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Thornton Fractnl No High School Calumet City, IL 5.1
West Chicago Comm High School West Chicago, IL 5.1
Pekin Community High School Pekin, IL 5.0
Plainfield High School Plainfield, IL 5.0
Belleville High School-East Belleville, IL 5.2
Reavis High School Burbank, IL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dekalb High School

What grades does Dekalb High School serve?

Dekalb High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Dekalb High School?

Dekalb High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,070 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dekalb High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dekalb High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dekalb High School rank in IL?

Dekalb High School is ranked #2990 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Dekalb High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dekalb High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Dekalb High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dekalb High School has 23.5% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dekalb High School a charter school?

No, Dekalb High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dekalb High School a Title I school?

No, Dekalb High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dekalb High School?

61.4% of students at Dekalb High 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
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,910/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dekalb). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,070
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
134
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
DeKalb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DeKalb CUSD 428
District Enrollment
6,719
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,665
District Rank
#9 of 12

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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