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Needs Improvement

#3744 of 3,813 schools in IL

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch

Elementary School · DeKalb CUSD 428

3225 Sangamon Dr, Dekalb, IL 60115

Enrollment

323

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,744 of 3,813

In Dekalb

#9 of 9

public schools

In district

#12 of 12

DeKalb CUSD 428

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Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch

3.1/10

Elementary School in Dekalb · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dekalb High School

5.9/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Jefferson Elem School

5.8/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch is a public elementary school in Dekalb, IL, part of DeKalb CUSD 428. Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,744 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-7.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)11% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,665
Chronic Absenteeism37.5%

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch — Students at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Compares

See how Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
2th percentile in IL
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

Location

3225 Sangamon Dr, Dekalb, IL 60115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Prairie Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dekalb, see our Dekalb schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
DeKalb High School Dekalb 0.9 mi 5.9
Jefferson Elem School Dekalb 1.3 mi 5.8
Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb 2.0 mi 6.8
Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb 2.1 mi 4.4
Founders Elementary School Dekalb 3.2 mi 3.8
Tyler Elementary School De Kalb 3.3 mi 4.5
Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb 3.4 mi 3.1
Sycamore High School Sycamore 2.8 mi 6.3
South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore 2.8 mi 6.5
Huntley Middle School Dekalb 3.8 mi 4.0
DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb 3.8 mi 4.8
West Elem School Sycamore 3.2 mi 6.3
AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore 3.6 mi 6.8
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore 3.5 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore 4.3 mi
Southeast Elem School Sycamore 3.7 mi 6.0
North Elementary School Sycamore 4.3 mi 6.5
Sycamore Middle School Sycamore 4.3 mi 5.8
Cortland Elementary School Cortland 5.7 mi 3.7
Malta Elementary School Malta 5.3 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,808

Median Home Value

$205,700

Median Rent

$1,018/mo

Population

42,461

College Educated

35.8%

Homeownership

42.8%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

26.1%

Median Age

26

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ariel Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL 3.1
Community Cons School Pinckneyville, IL 3.1
Empire Elem School Freeport, IL 3.1
Irving Elementary School Bloomington, IL 3.1
Kenneth Murphy School Beach Park, IL 3.1
Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb, IL 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch

What grades does Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch serve?

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch?

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch rank in IL?

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch ranks #3,744 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch a charter school?

No, Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch a Title I school?

No, Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch?

83.3% of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch 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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

District

DeKalb CUSD 428
District Enrollment
6,719
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,665
District Rank
#12 of 12

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