Needs Improvement
#3774 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
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Freeport
#8 of 8
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,291 of 2,326
In district
#8 of 8
Freeport SD 145
About Empire Elem School
Empire Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Freeport, Illinois, in Stephenson County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and has an enrollment of 407 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each child.
Empire Elem School’s academic performance currently ranks in the lower portion of Illinois schools at #3416 out of 3819, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6/10 and an Academic Score of 2.7/10. Test results show that 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 20% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment for its young learners.
Located in a town setting, Empire Elem School benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports students’ growth both inside and outside the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Empire Elem School — Students at Empire Elem School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
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 5 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: 2.9/10.
How Empire Elem School Compares
See how Empire Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
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 Orangeville Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Orangeville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), 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 | 7.5 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Freeport High School Freeport | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Center Elem School Freeport | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Dakota Elementary School Dakota | 9.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota | 9.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Eastland Elementary School Shannon | 10.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston | 11.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Forreston Grade School Forreston | 11.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Orangeville Jr High School Orangeville | 12.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Orangeville High School Orangeville | 12.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Orangeville Elem School Orangeville | 12.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Pearl City High School Pearl City | 9.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Pearl City Elementary School Pearl City | 9.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Pearl City Jr High School Pearl City | 9.4 mi | 8.0 |
| German Valley Grade School Forreston | 10.0 mi | 3.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Empire Elem School has a median household income of $54,179. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,800, with a median rent of $769/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Briar Glen Elem School Wheaton, IL | 3.4 |
| Hines Primary School Peoria, IL | 3.4 |
| Lake in the Hills Elem School Lk in the Hls, IL | 3.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Hoffman Estates, IL | 3.4 |
| Sward Elem School Oak Lawn, IL | 3.4 |
| CICS - Basil Campus Chicago, IL | 3.3 |
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 is ranked #3774 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Empire Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Empire Elem School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Empire Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Empire Elem School has 19.5% math proficiency and 15.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,769/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Freeport). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 232-0380
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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