Needs Improvement
#3581 of 3,813 schools in IL
Founders Elementary School
Elementary School · DeKalb CUSD 428
821 S 7th St, Dekalb, IL 60115
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,581 of 3,813
In Dekalb
#7 of 9
public schools
In district
#9 of 12
DeKalb CUSD 428
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Founders Elementary School
Elementary School in Dekalb · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lincoln Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Huntley Middle School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Founders Elementary School
Founders Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dekalb, IL, part of DeKalb CUSD 428. Founders Elementary School serves approximately 543 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Founders Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,581 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Founders Elementary School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- IL avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Founders Elementary School — Students at Founders Elementary School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 23 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: 3.0/10.
How Founders Elementary School Compares
See how Founders Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
821 S 7th St, Dekalb, IL 60115
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Founders Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Prairie Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dekalb, see our Dekalb schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dekalb | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| DeKalb High School Dekalb | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb | 3.2 mi | 3.1 |
| South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Cortland Elementary School Cortland | 3.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Sycamore High School Sycamore | 5.0 mi | 6.3 |
| West Elem School Sycamore | 5.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Southeast Elem School Sycamore | 5.4 mi | 6.0 |
| AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore | 5.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Malta Elementary School Malta | 5.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Sycamore Middle School Sycamore | 6.5 mi | 5.8 |
| North Elementary School Sycamore | 6.8 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore | 7.0 mi | — |
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 |
|---|---|
| Barbour Two-Way Lang Immersion Rockford, IL | 3.8 |
| Dr Preston L Williams Jr Elem Sch Urbana, IL | 3.8 |
| Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin, IL | 3.8 |
| Franklin Primary School Peoria, IL | 3.8 |
| Jefferson Primary School Bellwood, IL | 3.8 |
| Kimes Elem School Streator, IL | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Founders Elementary School
What grades does Founders Elementary School serve?
Founders Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Founders Elementary School?
Founders Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Founders Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Founders Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Founders Elementary School rank in IL?
Founders Elementary School ranks #3,581 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Founders Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Founders Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Founders Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Founders Elementary School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
Is Founders Elementary School a charter school?
No, Founders Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Founders Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Founders Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Founders Elementary School?
76.2% of students at Founders 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 543
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- DeKalb County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.9%
- Phone
- (815) 754-3800
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb CUSD 428- District Enrollment
- 6,719
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,665
- District Rank
- #9 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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