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Needs Improvement

#3749 of 3,813 schools in IL

Dirksen Elementary School

Elementary School · Pekin PSD 108

501 Maywood Ave, Pekin, IL 61554

Enrollment

176

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,749 of 3,813

In Pekin

#12 of 13

public schools

In district

#10 of 11

Pekin PSD 108

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Dirksen Elementary School

3.1/10

Elementary School in Pekin · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Broadmoor Junior High School

4.8/10

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

Willow Elem School

6.5/10

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

About Dirksen Elementary School

Dirksen Elementary School is a public elementary school in Pekin, IL, part of Pekin PSD 108. Dirksen Elementary School serves approximately 176 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Dirksen Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,749 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Dirksen Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 176 students, Dirksen Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

35% of students at Dirksen Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)13% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,904
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

Dirksen Elementary School — Students at Dirksen Elementary School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.9% (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
95%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
ELA
15%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Dirksen Elementary School Compares

See how Dirksen Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
2th percentile in IL
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

Location

501 Maywood Ave, Pekin, IL 61554

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dirksen Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rankin Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Willow Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marquette Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Marquette Heights), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pekin, see our Pekin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Broadmoor Junior High School Pekin 0.0 mi 4.8
Willow Elem School Pekin 0.5 mi 6.5
Pekin Community High School Pekin 0.8 mi 5.3
L E Starke Elem School Pekin 0.9 mi 4.2
C B Smith Elem School Pekin 1.2 mi 3.5
Edison Junior High School Pekin 1.2 mi 4.0
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pekin 1.7 mi 5.8
Scott Altman Primary School Pekin 1.7 mi 6.1
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pekin 1.7 mi 5.0
Pekin Preschool Family Ed Center Pekin 1.9 mi 5.0
Washington Intermediate School Pekin 1.8 mi 5.1
Wilson Intermediate School Pekin 2.0 mi 3.8
FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pekin 2.1 mi 5.2
Jefferson Elem School Pekin 2.1 mi 2.7
Georgetown Middle School Marquette Hts 3.3 mi 5.5
Marquette Elem School Marquette Heights 3.3 mi 6.5
Rankin Elem School Pekin 4.1 mi 7.4
CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY Creve Coeur 5.1 mi
Parkview Jr High School Creve Coeur 5.0 mi 6.2
LaSalle Elem School Creve Coeur 5.4 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,484

Median Home Value

$123,500

Median Rent

$814/mo

Population

40,783

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

71.5%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Age

42

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Community Cons School Pinckneyville, IL 3.1
Norwood Primary School Peoria, IL 3.1
Thompsonville Grade School Thompsonville, IL 3.1
Auburn Middle School Auburn, IL 3.2
Mays Elem Academy Chicago, IL 3.0
Plato Learning Acad Elem School Chicago, IL 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dirksen Elementary School

What grades does Dirksen Elementary School serve?

Dirksen Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Dirksen Elementary School?

Dirksen Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 176 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dirksen Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dirksen Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dirksen Elementary School rank in IL?

Dirksen Elementary School ranks #3,749 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Dirksen Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dirksen Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Dirksen Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dirksen Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Dirksen Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Dirksen Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Dirksen Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dirksen Elementary School?

78.4% of students at Dirksen 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Tazewell County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

District

Pekin PSD 108
District Enrollment
3,177
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,904
District Rank
#10 of 11

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