Average
#2080 of 3,813 schools in IL
Gardner Elem School
Elementary School · Gardner CCSD 72C
598 N Elm St, Gardner, IL 60424
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gardner
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,276 of 2,326
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Gardner Elem School
Gardner Elem School, located in Gardner, Illinois, offers a warm and welcoming environment for students from preschool through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 145 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The teachers at Gardner Elem are dedicated professionals with 13 full-time equivalents ensuring that every student receives quality instruction.
Gardner Elem School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10 and its state ranking stands at #1804 out of 3,819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 53rd percentile. Academically, the school scores a 6.4 out of 10, with 27% of students being proficient or above in ELA/reading and 34% in math. While there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on fostering student development through various programs and support systems.
Situated in a rural area near the town of Gardner, the school benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its students' learning journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 145 students, Gardner Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Gardner Elem School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Gardner Elem School — Students at Gardner Elem School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
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: 4.9/10.
How Gardner Elem School Compares
See how Gardner Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
598 N Elm St, Gardner, IL 60424
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coal City Intermediate School (rated 8.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Coal City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Reed-Custer Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Braidwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L J Stevens Intermediate School (rated 7.3/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gardner, see our Gardner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S Gardner | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| South Wilmington Grade School South Wilmington | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Braceville Elem School Braceville | 3.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Coal City Early Childhood Center Coal City | 5.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Coal City Middle School Coal City | 5.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Coal City High School Coal City | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Coal City Intermediate School Coal City | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Coal City Elem School Coal City | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Reed-Custer Elementary School Braidwood | 6.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Reed-Custer Middle School Braidwood | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Reed-Custer High School Braidwood | 6.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elem School Mazon | 7.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Middle Sch Mazon | 7.2 mi | 6.0 |
| DWIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Dwight | 9.5 mi | — |
| Dwight High School Dwight | 9.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Dwight Common School Dwight | 10.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Bruning Elem School Wilmington | 10.4 mi | 4.4 |
| L J Stevens Intermediate School Wilmington | 11.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilmington Middle School Wilmington | 11.4 mi | 7.7 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Morris | 13.0 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,000
Median Home Value
$191,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Population
2,170
College Educated
18.2%
Homeownership
75.4%
Avg Commute
30.5 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardner Elem School has a median household income of $81,000. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Community Cons School Pinckneyville, IL | 6.1 |
| FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Wauconda, IL | 6.1 |
| Hefferan Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.1 |
| INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE SCHOOL Flossmoor, IL | 6.1 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Clarendon Hills, IL | 6.1 |
| OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield, IL | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardner Elem School
What grades does Gardner Elem School serve?
Gardner Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Gardner Elem School?
Gardner Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 145 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner Elem School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardner Elem School rank in IL?
Gardner Elem School is ranked #2080 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gardner Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Elem School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Gardner Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardner Elem School has 34.5% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gardner Elem School a charter school?
No, Gardner Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardner Elem School a Title I school?
No, Gardner Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardner Elem School?
45.5% of students at Gardner 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (185/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 145
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Grundy County
- Phone
- (815) 237-2313
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gardner CCSD 72C- District Enrollment
- 145
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,561
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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