Needs Improvement
#3745 of 3,813 schools in IL
Empire Elem School
Elementary School · Freeport SD 145
1325 Empire St, Freeport, IL 61032
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,745 of 3,813
In Freeport
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#8 of 8
Freeport SD 145
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Empire Elem School
Elementary School in Freeport · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lincoln-douglas Elementary School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Empire Elem School
Empire Elem School is a public elementary school in Freeport, IL, part of Freeport SD 145. Empire Elem School serves approximately 407 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Empire Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,745 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Empire Elem School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.0
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Empire Elem 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Empire Elem School — Students at Empire Elem School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.3/10.
How Empire Elem School Compares
See how Empire Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1325 Empire St, Freeport, IL 61032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Empire Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastland Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Shannon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Center Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orangeville Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Orangeville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Freeport, see our Freeport schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Freeport High School Freeport | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Center Elem School Freeport | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Dakota Elementary School Dakota | 9.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota | 9.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Eastland Elementary School Shannon | 10.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston | 11.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Forreston Grade School Forreston | 11.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Orangeville Jr High School Orangeville | 12.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Orangeville High School Orangeville | 12.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Orangeville Elem School Orangeville | 12.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Pearl City High School Pearl City | 9.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Pearl City Elementary School Pearl City | 9.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Pearl City Jr High School Pearl City | 9.4 mi | 7.3 |
| German Valley Grade School Forreston | 10.0 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,179
Median Home Value
$106,800
Median Rent
$769/mo
Population
29,072
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
45.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ariel Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL | 3.1 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb, IL | 3.1 |
| Irving Elementary School Bloomington, IL | 3.1 |
| Kenneth Murphy School Beach Park, IL | 3.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb, IL | 3.1 |
| Longwood Elem School Glenwood, IL | 3.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Empire Elem School
What grades does Empire Elem School serve?
Empire Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Empire Elem School?
Empire Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Empire Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Empire Elem School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Empire Elem School rank in IL?
Empire Elem School ranks #3,745 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Empire Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Empire Elem 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 Empire Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Empire Elem School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Empire Elem School a charter school?
No, Empire Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Empire Elem School a Title I school?
No, Empire Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Empire Elem School?
62.9% of students at Empire Elem 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 407
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Stephenson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (815) 232-0380
Resources & Links
District
Freeport SD 145- District Enrollment
- 3,638
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,580
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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