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Below Average

#3593 of 3,813 schools in IL

Harriet Gifford Elem School

Elementary School · SD U-46

240 S Clifton Ave, Elgin, IL 60123

Enrollment

437

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elgin

#23 of 25

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,159 of 2,326

In district

#43 of 51

SD U-46

About Harriet Gifford Elem School

Harriet Gifford Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Elgin, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 437 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranking at #3694 among Illinois schools, Harriet Gifford Elem School is committed to focusing on the development and growth of each student.

In terms of academic performance, only 6% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 9% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for improvement but also highlight the school's dedication to nurturing young minds. Harriet Gifford Elem School sits in a mid-size city setting, providing students with both urban resources and community support.

The school’s location offers easy access to local amenities and cultural opportunities, enhancing the educational experience for its diverse student body.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency4%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,947

Harriet Gifford Elem School — Students at Harriet Gifford Elem School score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 5.5%
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
15%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
4%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Harriet Gifford Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
6th percentile in IL
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

240 S Clifton Ave, Elgin, IL 60123

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harriet Gifford Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Larkin High School Elgin 0.4 mi 5.3
Abbott Middle School Elgin 0.5 mi 5.0
Highland Elem School Elgin 0.7 mi 5.6
Washington Elem School Elgin 0.7 mi 4.7
ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin 0.9 mi 7.5
Kimball Middle School Elgin 1.1 mi 5.4
Hillcrest Elem School Elgin 1.1 mi 6.2
Illinois Park Elem School Elgin 1.5 mi
ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin 1.1 mi 5.7
Creekside Elem Elgin 1.6 mi 6.0
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 1.3 mi 5.6
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 1.8 mi 4.5
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 1.6 mi 6.9
Willard Elem School South Elgin 2.3 mi 4.1
ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin 1.9 mi 7.7
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin 2.4 mi 6.3
ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin 1.9 mi 7.1
Kenyon Woods Middle School South Elgin 2.1 mi 7.6
McKinley Elem School Elgin 2.2 mi 6.8
Channing Memorial Elem School Elgin 2.0 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60123 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,762

Median Home Value

$242,200

Median Rent

$1,226/mo

Population

48,821

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harriet Gifford Elem School has a median household income of $86,762. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,200, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Albert Cassens Elementary Glen Carbon, IL 4.2
Carlinville Intermediate School Carlinville, IL 4.2
Cortland Elementary School Cortland, IL 4.2
Frank A Brodnicki Elem School Justice, IL 4.2
G N Dieterich Elem School Aurora, IL 4.2
Glen Carbon Elem School Glen Carbon, IL 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harriet Gifford Elem School

What grades does Harriet Gifford Elem School serve?

Harriet Gifford Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Harriet Gifford Elem School?

Harriet Gifford Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 437 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harriet Gifford Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harriet Gifford Elem School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harriet Gifford Elem School rank in IL?

Harriet Gifford Elem School is ranked #3593 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Harriet Gifford Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harriet Gifford Elem School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Harriet Gifford Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harriet Gifford Elem School has 8.8% math proficiency and 5.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harriet Gifford Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Harriet Gifford Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

68.6% of students at Harriet Gifford Elem 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 (1,372/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
437
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SD U-46
District Enrollment
34,553
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,216
District Rank
#43 of 51

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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