Below Average
#3286 of 3,813 schools in IL
Gardner Elementary School
Elementary School · Waterloo CUSD 5
1 Ed Gardner Pl, Waterloo, IL 62298
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
4th – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#3 of 5
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,949 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 5
Waterloo CUSD 5
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Gardner Elementary School
Gardner Elementary School in Waterloo, Illinois, is a regular public school serving fourth and fifth graders. With an enrollment of 384 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to its learners. Located at 1 Ed Gardner Pl, it sits on the edge of an urban area, offering both a rural feel with easy access to city amenities.
Gardner Elementary's academic performance is solid but has room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and state ranking at #2156 among Illinois schools. In reading and math, around half the students achieve proficiency or above, showing a good foundation with opportunities for growth. Gardner Elementary School is set in a town that blends rural charm with urban conveniences, making it an inviting community for families looking to balance quiet living with nearby resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Gardner Elementary School — Students at Gardner Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.7%
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: 3.4/10.
How Gardner Elementary School Compares
See how Gardner Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 39% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
1 Ed Gardner Pl, Waterloo, IL 62298
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Millstadt Primary Center (rated 6.8/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Millstadt), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Millstadt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smithton Elem School (rated 5.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Smithton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers Elem School Waterloo | 0.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Waterloo Junior High School Waterloo | 0.3 mi | 4.6 |
| W J Zahnow Elem School Waterloo | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Waterloo High School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| GIBAULT CATHOLIC Waterloo | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Columbia | 7.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Eagleview Elementary School Columbia | 8.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Columbia Middle School Columbia | 8.4 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Millstadt | 9.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Columbia High School Columbia | 8.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkview Elementary School Columbia | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Millstadt Consolidated School Millstadt | 9.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Millstadt Primary Center Millstadt | 9.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Valmeyer High School Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Valmeyer Elementary School Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Valmeyer Jr High Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Smithton | 9.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Smithton Elem School Smithton | 9.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Bluffview Elem School Dupo | 12.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Dupo Jr High School Dupo | 12.8 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62298 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,073
Median Home Value
$263,200
Median Rent
$884/mo
Population
17,907
College Educated
35.2%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
43.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardner Elementary School has a median household income of $94,073. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,200, with a median rent of $884/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Bottenfield Elem School Champaign, IL | 4.8 |
| Bryant Elem School Harvey, IL | 4.8 |
| CICS - Loomis Primary Campus Chicago, IL | 4.8 |
| Chippewa Elem School Palos Heights, IL | 4.8 |
| Coal City Early Childhood Center Coal City, IL | 4.8 |
| Coretta Scott King Magnet Sch University Park, IL | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardner Elementary School
What grades does Gardner Elementary School serve?
Gardner Elementary School serves students in grades 4th through 5th.
How many students attend Gardner Elementary School?
Gardner Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner Elementary School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardner Elementary School rank in IL?
Gardner Elementary School is ranked #3286 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gardner Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardner Elementary School has 48.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gardner Elementary School a charter school?
No, Gardner Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardner Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Gardner Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardner Elementary School?
23.7% of students at Gardner 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (29/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 5th
- Enrollment
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Monroe County
- Phone
- (618) 939-3060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo CUSD 5- District Enrollment
- 2,742
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,591
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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