Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#3806 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

2.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,806 of 3,813

In Elgin

#25 of 25

public schools

In district

#50 of 51

SD U-46

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Harriet Gifford Elem School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Harriet Gifford Elem School

2.2/10

Elementary School in Elgin · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Larkin High School

5.0/10

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

Abbott Middle School

3.2/10

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

About Harriet Gifford Elem School

Harriet Gifford Elem School is a public elementary school in Elgin, IL, part of SD U-46. Harriet Gifford Elem School serves approximately 437 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Harriet Gifford Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,806 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Harriet Gifford Elem School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Harriet Gifford Elem School 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 Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency4% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,216
Chronic Absenteeism37.3%

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 35.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.4% (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
67%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
8%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
11%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 1.9/10.

How Harriet Gifford Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.2/10
0th percentile in IL
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.3%

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 5.0
Abbott Middle School Elgin 0.5 mi 3.2
Highland Elem School Elgin 0.7 mi 3.0
Washington Elem School Elgin 0.7 mi 3.4
ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin 0.9 mi 7.5
Kimball Middle School Elgin 1.1 mi 3.9
Hillcrest Elem School Elgin 1.1 mi 4.2
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 3.0
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 1.3 mi 3.2
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 1.8 mi 3.8
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 1.6 mi 6.9
Willard Elem School South Elgin 2.3 mi 2.1
ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin 1.9 mi 7.7
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin 2.4 mi 4.2
ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin 1.9 mi 7.1
Kenyon Woods Middle School South Elgin 2.1 mi 5.6
McKinley Elem School Elgin 2.2 mi 3.7
Channing Memorial Elem School Elgin 2.0 mi 4.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL 2.2
Robertson Charter School Decatur, IL 2.1
Willard Elem School South Elgin, IL 2.1
Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria, IL 2.4
Leland Elem School Chicago, IL 2.4
Providence-Englewood Elem Charter Chicago, IL 2.4

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 ranks #3,806 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Harriet Gifford Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harriet Gifford Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 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 Harriet Gifford Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Harriet Gifford Elem School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.3%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.