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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,700

Gardner Elem School — Students at Gardner Elem School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
22%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in IL
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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