Average
#1743 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 46% in state
Garden Hills Elem School
Elementary School · Champaign CUSD 4
2001 Garden Hills Dr, Champaign, IL 61821
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Champaign
#6 of 17
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,093 of 2,326
In district
#7 of 18
Champaign CUSD 4
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Garden Hills Elem School
Garden Hills Elem School is a regular public school located in Champaign, Illinois, right on Garden Hills Drive. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a wide range of educational opportunities for young learners. With an enrollment of 359 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, Garden Hills Elem School provides a supportive learning environment where each child can receive individual attention.
The academic performance at Garden Hills Elem School shows room for growth, with the MySchoolScout rating coming in at 4.8 out of 10 and state ranking at #2425 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. Currently, only 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while math proficiency stands at 5%. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering a nurturing atmosphere that focuses on student development and academic progress.
Garden Hills Elem School is situated in a small city setting within Champaign County. The community around the school likely offers ample opportunities for students to engage with their surroundings beyond the classroom, supporting their overall growth and well-being.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Garden Hills Elem 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
Garden Hills Elem School — Students at Garden Hills Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Garden Hills Elem School Compares
See how Garden Hills Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 7.5% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
2001 Garden Hills Dr, Champaign, IL 61821
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garden Hills Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Robeson Elem School (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kenwood Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Champaign, see our Champaign schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Howard Elem School Champaign | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Franklin Middle School Champaign | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Champaign | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| SWANN SPECIAL CARE CTR-ELEM/SECONDARY SCHOOL Champaign | 1.7 mi | — |
| THE HIGH SCHOOL OF SAINT THOMAS MORE Champaign | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Central High School Champaign | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Westview Elem School Champaign | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Stratton Elementary School Champaign | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Centennial High School Champaign | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Champaign Early Chldhd Cntr Champaign | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Champaign | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| South Side Elementary School Champaign | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Jefferson Middle School Champaign | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Edison Middle School Champaign | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Kenwood Elem School Champaign | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| International Prep Academy Champaign | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Champaign | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Bottenfield Elem School Champaign | 3.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Washington Elem School Champaign | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Robeson Elem School Champaign | 3.2 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61821 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,284
Median Home Value
$174,800
Median Rent
$1,001/mo
Population
28,838
College Educated
49.5%
Homeownership
61.9%
Avg Commute
16.2 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garden Hills Elem School has a median household income of $69,284. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,800, with a median rent of $1,001/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Ardmore Elem School Addison, IL | 6.4 |
| Ashe Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.4 |
| Bridgeport Grade School Bridgeport, IL | 6.4 |
| Burr Oak Elem School Calumet Park, IL | 6.4 |
| Cerro Gordo Elem School Cerro Gordo, IL | 6.4 |
| Charles J Sahs Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garden Hills Elem School
What grades does Garden Hills Elem School serve?
Garden Hills Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Garden Hills Elem School?
Garden Hills Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 359 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garden Hills Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Garden Hills Elem School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garden Hills Elem School rank in IL?
Garden Hills Elem School is ranked #1743 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Garden Hills Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Garden Hills Elem School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Garden Hills Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garden Hills Elem School has 5.0% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Garden Hills Elem School a charter school?
No, Garden Hills Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garden Hills Elem School a Title I school?
No, Garden Hills Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garden Hills Elem School?
57.1% of students at Garden Hills 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 (2,789/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Champaign). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 359
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Champaign County
- Phone
- (217) 351-3872
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Champaign CUSD 4- District Enrollment
- 10,363
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,009
- District Rank
- #7 of 18
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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