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Needs Improvement

#3687 of 3,813 schools in IL

Based on limited data

German Valley Grade School

Elementary School · Forrestville Valley CUSD 221

601 E Main St, Forreston, IL 61030

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

80

Student-Teacher

26.7:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – Kindergarten

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Forreston

#3 of 3

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,231 of 2,326

In district

#3 of 3

Forrestville Valley CUSD 221

About German Valley Grade School

German Valley Grade School is a small, rural elementary school located in Forreston, Illinois. Serving preschool through kindergarten students, the school has an enrollment of 80 children and employs three full-time equivalent teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio at German Valley Grade School is relatively high at 26.7:1.

While academic performance data isn't available to provide specific details on test scores or MySchoolScout ratings, the school focuses on early childhood education with a nurturing environment tailored for young learners. Nestled in a serene rural setting, German Valley Grade School offers students a close-knit community where each child receives individual attention and support. The school's location in Forreston provides a peaceful backdrop away from urban distractions, fostering a strong sense of community among families and educators alike.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 80 students, German Valley Grade 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.

The student-teacher ratio at German Valley Grade School is 26.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, German Valley Grade 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.4Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on IL state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,364

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How German Valley Grade School Compares

See how German Valley Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
3th percentile in IL
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

601 E Main St, Forreston, IL 61030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering German Valley Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forreston Grade School (rated 7.1/10, 8.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dakota Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Dakota), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forreston, see our Forreston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston 8.0 mi 4.8
Forreston Grade School Forreston 8.3 mi 7.1
Pecatonica High School Pecatonica 8.4 mi 6.4
Pecatonica Comm Middle School Pecatonica 8.5 mi 5.6
Pecatonica Elem School Pecatonica 8.7 mi 4.9
Center Elem School Freeport 8.4 mi 6.1
Blackhawk Elem School Freeport 9.0 mi 6.3
Freeport Middle School Freeport 9.3 mi 6.8
Freeport High School Freeport 9.3 mi 5.8
Dakota Elementary School Dakota 11.9 mi 7.1
Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota 12.1 mi 5.4
Empire Elem School Freeport 10.0 mi 3.4
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport 10.5 mi 7.5
Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport 10.9 mi 5.7
Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport 11.2 mi 7.8
Byron Middle School Byron 12.1 mi 6.5
OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport 12.1 mi 5.7
Byron High School 9-12 Byron 12.2 mi 6.4
Mary Morgan Elem Sch Byron 12.3 mi 6.0
Dorothy Simon Elem School Winnebago 12.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,375

Median Home Value

$148,100

Median Rent

$669/mo

Population

1,911

College Educated

13.2%

Homeownership

82.8%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding German Valley Grade School has a median household income of $69,375. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,100, with a median rent of $669/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Prairieview-Ogden North Elem Royal, IL 3.9
Ludlow Elementary School Ludlow, IL 3.8
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Murphysboro, IL 3.7
ILM MONTESSORI INC Lombard, IL 3.6
Crescent City Grade School Crescent City, IL 4.2
Irvington Elem School Irvington, IL 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about German Valley Grade School

What grades does German Valley Grade School serve?

German Valley Grade School serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.

How many students attend German Valley Grade School?

German Valley Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 80 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at German Valley Grade School?

The student-teacher ratio at German Valley Grade School is 26.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does German Valley Grade School rank in IL?

German Valley Grade School is ranked #3687 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is German Valley Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?

German Valley Grade School has a composite rating of 3.9 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.

Is German Valley Grade School a charter school?

No, German Valley Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is German Valley Grade School a Title I school?

No, German Valley Grade School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for German Valley Grade School?

33.8% of students at German Valley Grade 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

City Safety
Elevated (713/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forreston). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Stephenson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forrestville Valley CUSD 221
District Enrollment
739
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,844
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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