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Average

#2155 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

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,155 of 3,813

In Dekalb

#2 of 9

public schools

In district

#2 of 12

DeKalb CUSD 428

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Dekalb High School

5.9/10

High School in Dekalb · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jefferson Elem School

5.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch

3.1/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dekalb High School

Dekalb High School is a public high school in Dekalb, IL, part of DeKalb CUSD 428. Dekalb High School serves approximately 2,070 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Dekalb High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,155 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Dekalb High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below IL schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Dekalb High School is a large school: 2,070 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Dekalb High 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.

44% of students at Dekalb High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,665
Chronic Absenteeism43.5%

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 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
49%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
46%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
28%
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: 9.1/10.

How Dekalb High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
44th percentile in IL
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
134 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
17% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Clinton Rosette Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores slightly 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 5.8
Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb 0.9 mi 3.1
Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb 1.3 mi 6.8
Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb 1.5 mi 4.4
Founders Elementary School Dekalb 2.4 mi 3.8
Tyler Elementary School De Kalb 2.4 mi 4.5
Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb 2.5 mi 3.1
Huntley Middle School Dekalb 3.0 mi 4.0
DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb 3.0 mi 4.8
Sycamore High School Sycamore 3.5 mi 6.3
South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore 3.3 mi 6.5
West Elem School Sycamore 3.9 mi 6.3
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 6.0
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore 5.1 mi
North Elementary School Sycamore 5.1 mi 6.5
Sycamore Middle School Sycamore 5.0 mi 5.8
Malta Elementary School Malta 4.7 mi 4.1
Cortland Elementary School Cortland 5.4 mi 3.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Edwardsville High School Edwardsville, IL 5.9
O Fallon High School O Fallon, IL 5.9
Plainfield High School Plainfield, IL 5.9
Normal Community West High School Normal, IL 6.0
Belleville High School-East Belleville, IL 5.8
Belvidere North High Sch Belvidere, IL 5.8

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 ranks #2,155 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Dekalb High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dekalb High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Dekalb High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dekalb High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

District

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

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