Very Good
#1133 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 30% in state
Gardner Elementary School
Elementary School · Waterloo CUSD 5
1 Ed Gardner Pl, Waterloo, IL 62298
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
4th – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#1,133 of 3,813
In Waterloo
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 5
Waterloo CUSD 5
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Gardner Elementary School
Elementary School in Waterloo · grades 4th – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rogers Elem School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Waterloo Junior High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardner Elementary School
Gardner Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IL, part of Waterloo CUSD 5. Gardner Elementary School serves approximately 384 students, and covers grades 4th-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardner Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,133 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Gardner Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2021) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 7.1
- IL avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardner Elementary School — Students at Gardner Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
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 25 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: 7.8/10.
How Gardner Elementary School Compares
See how Gardner Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Rogers Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smithton Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Smithton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.3 |
| Waterloo Junior High School Waterloo | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| W J Zahnow Elem School Waterloo | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Waterloo High School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| GIBAULT CATHOLIC Waterloo | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Columbia | 7.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Eagleview Elementary School Columbia | 8.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Columbia Middle School Columbia | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Millstadt | 9.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Columbia High School Columbia | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Parkview Elementary School Columbia | 8.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Millstadt Consolidated School Millstadt | 9.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Millstadt Primary Center Millstadt | 9.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Valmeyer High School Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Valmeyer Elementary School Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Valmeyer Jr High Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Smithton | 9.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Smithton Elem School Smithton | 9.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Bluffview Elem School Dupo | 12.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Dupo Jr High School Dupo | 12.8 mi | 4.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr Roberto Clemente Elem Chicago, IL | 7.2 |
| Alice Gustafson Elem School Batavia, IL | 7.2 |
| Big Timber Elementary School Hampshire, IL | 7.2 |
| Bottenfield Elem School Champaign, IL | 7.2 |
| Butterfield Elem School Lombard, IL | 7.2 |
| Carlinville Primary School Carlinville, IL | 7.2 |
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 ranks #1,133 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gardner Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Gardner Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardner Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2021) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.4%
- Phone
- (618) 939-3060
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo CUSD 5- District Enrollment
- 2,742
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,591
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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