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Below Average

#3170 of 3,813 schools in IL

Jefferson Elem School

Elementary School · Dixon USD 170

800 4th Ave, Dixon, IL 61021

Enrollment

331

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

4.9

Grades

2nd – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dixon

#3 of 5

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,879 of 2,326

In district

#3 of 5

Dixon USD 170

About Jefferson Elem School

Jefferson Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Dixon, Illinois, in Lee County. Serving students in grades two and three, the school has an enrollment of 331 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. Jefferson Elem School boasts 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their young learners.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, placing it in the 9th percentile among Illinois schools based on its state ranking at #3470 out of 3819 total schools. Academic performance measures show that only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 20% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for academic growth. Jefferson Elem School is situated in a town setting where it plays an integral role in the local community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Jefferson Elem School 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 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,052

Jefferson Elem School — Students at Jefferson Elem School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.5%
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
22%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
2.5%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Jefferson Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in IL
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

800 4th Ave, Dixon, IL 61021

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Merrill Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Rock Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ashton-Franklin Center Elem Sch (rated 6.9/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Franklin Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Sterling), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dixon, see our Dixon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Dixon High School Dixon 0.5 mi 4.2
ST ANNE SCHOOL Dixon 0.8 mi 6.6
Washington Elem School Dixon 1.0 mi 4.4
ST MARY ELEMENTARY AND JR. HIGH Dixon 1.3 mi 5.9
Madison School Dixon 1.9 mi 6.0
Reagan Middle School Dixon 1.9 mi 5.9
Centennial Elem School Polo 9.8 mi 6.3
Polo Comm High School Polo 9.9 mi 5.1
Aplington Middle School Polo 10.0 mi 8.6
East Coloma - Nelson Elem Sch Rock Falls 10.2 mi 5.4
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sterling 9.8 mi 6.8
Franklin Elem School Sterling 9.9 mi 4.7
Lincoln Elem School Sterling 10.2 mi 4.8
Jefferson Elem School Sterling 10.4 mi 4.8
Ashton-Franklin Center Elem Sch Franklin Grove 10.1 mi 6.9
Challand Middle School Sterling 10.5 mi 5.7
Sterling High School Sterling 10.6 mi 5.6
Amboy High School Amboy 12.4 mi 4.6
Amboy Jr High School Amboy 12.4 mi 7.5
Merrill Elem School Rock Falls 11.4 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,719

Median Home Value

$144,800

Median Rent

$823/mo

Population

22,690

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

72.8%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

43.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Elem School has a median household income of $65,719. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,800, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Apollo Elem School Aledo, IL 4.9
Asian Human Srvcs-Passage Chrtr Chicago, IL 4.9
Avon Center Elem School Round Lake Beach, IL 4.9
BLESSED SACRAMENT Springfield, IL 4.9
Bert H Fulton School Tinley Park, IL 4.9
Earhart Elem Opt for Knowl School Chicago, IL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Elem School

What grades does Jefferson Elem School serve?

Jefferson Elem School serves students in grades 2nd through 3rd.

How many students attend Jefferson Elem School?

Jefferson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Elem School rank in IL?

Jefferson Elem School is ranked #3170 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Jefferson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elem School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Jefferson Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elem School has 19.5% math proficiency and 10.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jefferson Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

61.0% of students at Jefferson 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
Average (651/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 3rd
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dixon USD 170
District Enrollment
2,471
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,247
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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