Very Good
#1015 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 27% in state
German Valley Grade School
Elementary School · Forrestville Valley CUSD 221
601 E Main St, Forreston, IL 61030
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher
26.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher
26.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#1,015 of 3,813
In Forreston
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Forrestville Valley CUSD 221
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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German Valley Grade School
Elementary School in Forreston · grades Pre-K – Kindergarten. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forreston Jr/sr High Sch
8.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Forreston Grade School
8.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About German Valley Grade School
German Valley Grade School is a public elementary school in Forreston, IL, part of Forrestville Valley CUSD 221. German Valley Grade School serves approximately 80 students, and covers grades Pre-K-Kindergarten, and has a 26.7:1 student-teacher ratio. German Valley Grade School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,015 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for German Valley Grade School show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 7.0
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 80 students, German Valley Grade School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
German Valley Grade School runs 26.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
German Valley Grade School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
German Valley Grade School — Students at German Valley Grade School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2011-12)
Based on 8 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How German Valley Grade School Compares
See how German Valley Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Mary Morgan Elem Sch (rated 8.8/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Byron), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pecatonica Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Pecatonica), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Center Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores slightly 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 | 5.8 |
| Forreston Grade School Forreston | 8.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Pecatonica High School Pecatonica | 8.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Pecatonica Comm Middle School Pecatonica | 8.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Pecatonica Elem School Pecatonica | 8.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Center Elem School Freeport | 8.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport | 9.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport | 9.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Freeport High School Freeport | 9.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Dakota Elementary School Dakota | 11.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota | 12.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Empire Elem School Freeport | 10.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport | 10.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport | 10.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport | 11.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Byron Middle School Byron | 12.1 mi | 8.2 |
| OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport | 12.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Byron High School 9-12 Byron | 12.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Mary Morgan Elem Sch Byron | 12.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Dorothy Simon Elem School Winnebago | 12.3 mi | 7.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora, IL | 7.3 |
| Dalzell Grade School Dalzell, IL | 7.3 |
| GUIDANCE EDUCATIONAL ACADEMY Chicago, IL | 7.3 |
| Adams Elem School Lincoln, IL | 7.2 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago Heights, IL | 7.2 |
| PEORIA ACADEMY Peoria, IL | 7.2 |
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 ranks #1,015 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is German Valley Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?
German Valley Grade School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 German Valley Grade School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, German Valley Grade School has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2012).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (815) 362-2279
Resources & Links
District
Forrestville Valley CUSD 221- District Enrollment
- 739
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,844
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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