Average
#1974 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
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dekalb
#2 of 6
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,215 of 2,326
In district
#4 of 12
DeKalb CUSD 428
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Founders Elementary School
Founders Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Dekalb, Illinois, nestled in a small suburban area. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and boasts an enrollment of 543 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Founders Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.
While the school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.7 out of 10 and its state ranking is #2533 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it around the 34th percentile), there are opportunities for growth. Academically, Founders Elementary has an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 11% and a math proficiency rate of 8%, indicating areas where improvement is needed but also highlighting the potential for positive change. Founders Elementary School is situated in a community that values education and supports its young learners as they grow and develop.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Founders Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 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: 8.1/10.
How Founders Elementary School Compares
See how Founders Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 9% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 9% (2022).
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. Southeast Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Malta Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Malta), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores slightly 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 | 5.1 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dekalb | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| DeKalb High School Dekalb | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Cortland Elementary School Cortland | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Sycamore High School Sycamore | 5.0 mi | 5.1 |
| West Elem School Sycamore | 5.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Southeast Elem School Sycamore | 5.4 mi | 7.8 |
| AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore | 5.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Malta Elementary School Malta | 5.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Sycamore Middle School Sycamore | 6.5 mi | 5.1 |
| North Elementary School Sycamore | 6.8 mi | 4.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Founders Elementary School has a median household income of $46,808. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,700, with a median rent of $1,018/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Benjamin Elem School Bloomington, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Budlong Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1974 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Founders Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Founders Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Founders Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Founders Elementary School has 8.3% math proficiency and 11.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (2,910/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dekalb). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 754-3800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb CUSD 428- District Enrollment
- 6,719
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,665
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
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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