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Average

#1572 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 41% in state

Gifford Grade School

Elementary School · Gifford CCSD 188

406 S Main St Jared Ellison, Gifford, IL 61847

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#994 of 2,326

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Gifford Grade School

Gifford Grade School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in the rural community of Gifford, Illinois. With an enrollment of 161 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 14 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Gifford Grade School has received a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and is ranked at #1328 among 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 65th percentile. Academically, the school scores 7.2 out of 10, with 35% proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 37% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While there is room for academic growth, Gifford Grade School focuses on student development and provides a nurturing atmosphere where children can thrive.

The school’s rural setting offers a close-knit community feel, with opportunities to engage students both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 161 students, Gifford 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.

Located in a rural area, Gifford 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,354

Gifford Grade School — Students at Gifford Grade School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.3%
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
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
27%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Gifford Grade School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
59th percentile in IL
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

406 S Main St Jared Ellison, Gifford, IL 61847

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gifford Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St Joseph Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clara Peterson Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Paxton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pleasant Acres Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Rantoul), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gifford, see our Gifford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Prairieview-Ogden Jr High Sch Thomasboro 4.9 mi 5.0
Pleasant Acres Elem School Rantoul 5.5 mi 7.8
Eastlawn Elem School Rantoul 6.0 mi 7.3
Prairieview-Ogden North Elem Royal 8.1 mi 3.9
Northview Elem School Rantoul 6.8 mi 6.4
Rantoul Twp High School Rantoul 6.8 mi 5.9
J W Eater Jr High School Rantoul 6.9 mi 6.5
Ludlow Elementary School Ludlow 7.8 mi 3.8
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Rantoul 7.0 mi 7.2
Armstrong High School Armstrong 7.5 mi 4.9
Armstrong-Ellis Elem School Armstrong 7.7 mi 5.2
Broadmeadow Elem School Rantoul 7.8 mi 7.2
Clara Peterson Elem School Paxton 11.0 mi 8.0
Thomasboro Grade School Thomasboro 9.7 mi 7.1
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School Paxton 11.8 mi 7.9
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Jr High Sch Paxton 11.9 mi 7.2
St Joseph-Ogden High School Saint Joseph 13.2 mi 5.1
St Joseph Elem School Saint Joseph 13.6 mi 8.2
St Joseph Middle School Saint Joseph 13.7 mi 7.2
Prairieview-Ogden South Elem Ogden 13.4 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61847 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,703

Median Home Value

$178,300

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

1,160

College Educated

22.4%

Homeownership

88.1%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Median Age

50.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gifford Grade School has a median household income of $85,703. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,300, with a median rent of $883/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Dunne Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL 6.6
HOLY ANGELS Chicago, IL 6.6
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Monmouth, IL 6.6
Johnsonville Elem School Johnsonville, IL 6.6
Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago, IL 6.6
Putnam County Elem School Hennepin, IL 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gifford Grade School

What grades does Gifford Grade School serve?

Gifford Grade School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Gifford Grade School?

Gifford Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gifford Grade School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gifford Grade School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gifford Grade School rank in IL?

Gifford Grade School is ranked #1572 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Gifford Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gifford Grade School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Gifford Grade School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gifford Grade School has 37.0% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gifford Grade School a charter school?

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

Is Gifford Grade School a Title I school?

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

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

32.9% of students at Gifford 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

County Safety
Low (193/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Champaign County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gifford CCSD 188
District Enrollment
161
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,452
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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