Average
#2546 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
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dekalb
#4 of 6
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,521 of 2,326
In district
#7 of 12
DeKalb CUSD 428
About Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch
Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch is a regular public elementary school located in Dekalb, Illinois, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 323 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a small suburban area, Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch offers a close-knit community where educators focus on building strong relationships with each student.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.2 out of 10, reflecting its position at the 23rd percentile among Illinois schools. Academically, it ranks #2954 out of 3819 schools in the state, indicating there is room for improvement. Test scores show that only 9% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 10% in Math, suggesting areas where additional support could benefit student achievement.
Despite these challenges, Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch is committed to nurturing young minds within its supportive suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch — Students at Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.0/10.
How Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Compares
See how Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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. Southeast Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Sycamore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Malta Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Malta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 3.2 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 | 5.1 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dekalb | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Founders Elementary School Dekalb | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Sycamore High School Sycamore | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| West Elem School Sycamore | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 7.8 |
| North Elementary School Sycamore | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Sycamore Middle School Sycamore | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Cortland Elementary School Cortland | 5.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Malta Elementary School Malta | 5.3 mi | 7.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has a median household income of $46,808. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,700, with a median rent of $1,018/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Breese, IL | 5.6 |
| ALPHONSUS ACADEMY & CENTER FOR THE ARTS Chicago, IL | 5.6 |
| Anne Sullivan Elem School Prospect Heights, IL | 5.6 |
| Beecher City Grade School Beecher City, IL | 5.6 |
| Benavides Steam Academy Aurora, IL | 5.6 |
| Blythe Park Elem School Riverside, IL | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #2546 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch has 9.8% math proficiency and 8.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,910/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dekalb). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 754-9936
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb CUSD 428- District Enrollment
- 6,719
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,665
- District Rank
- #7 of 12
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 methodologyRelated reading
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