Average
#2276 of 3,813 schools in IL
Jefferson Elem School
Elementary School · Harvard CUSD 50
1200 N Jefferson St, Harvard, IL 60033
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
4th – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harvard
#1 of 5
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,373 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 5
Harvard CUSD 50
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Jefferson Elem School
Jefferson Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the charming town of Harvard, Illinois. The school serves students in grades four and five, with an enrollment of 359 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1. Jefferson Elem School boasts 34 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to providing quality education.
Academically, the school currently has room for improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2628 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it at the 31st percentile). The academic score is 3.0/10, with proficiency rates showing that only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and a mere 8% in Math. While these numbers indicate areas for growth, the school community remains committed to supporting its students' learning journey.
Jefferson Elem School is nestled within a close-knit town setting, where families can easily connect with teachers and other parents. The surrounding area offers a warm, supportive environment that fosters community engagement and involvement.
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Jefferson Elem School — Students at Jefferson Elem School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.9%
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: 6.6/10.
How Jefferson Elem School Compares
See how Jefferson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
1200 N Jefferson St, Harvard, IL 60033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sharon Community (rated 8.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Sharon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Williams Bay Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Williams Bay), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fontana Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Fontana), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harvard, see our Harvard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard High School Harvard | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Harvard Jr High School Harvard | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Washington Elem School Harvard | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Crosby Elem Sch Harvard | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Big Foot High Walworth | 6.8 mi | 5.2 |
| AGAPE SCHOOL Walworth | 7.0 mi | — |
| Walworth Elementary Walworth | 7.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Fontana Elementary Fontana | 8.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Capron Elem School Capron | 7.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Sharon Community Sharon | 8.0 mi | 8.3 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Williams Bay | 10.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Williams Bay Middle Williams Bay | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Williams Bay High Williams Bay | 10.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Williams Bay Elementary Williams Bay | 10.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Reek Elementary Lake Geneva | 9.8 mi | 7.6 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Marengo | 12.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Traver Elementary Lake Geneva | 10.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Alden-Hebron Middle School Hebron | 9.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Alden-Hebron High School Hebron | 9.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Marengo Comm Middle School Marengo | 12.7 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,298
Median Home Value
$198,700
Median Rent
$1,192/mo
Population
13,333
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
28.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elem School has a median household income of $72,298. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,700, with a median rent of $1,192/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Algonquin Lakes Elem Sch Algonquin, IL | 5.9 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell, IL | 5.9 |
| Central Elem School Lewistown, IL | 5.9 |
| Central Intermediate School Roxana, IL | 5.9 |
| Christopher House Chrt ES Chicago, IL | 5.9 |
| Conklin Elem School Rockford, IL | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elem School
What grades does Jefferson Elem School serve?
Jefferson Elem School serves students in grades 4th through 5th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elem School?
Jefferson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 359 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School is 10.6:1. 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 #2276 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Jefferson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elem School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 8.5% math proficiency and 17.0% 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?
47.9% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (762/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harvard). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 5th
- Enrollment
- 359
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- McHenry County
- Phone
- (815) 943-6464
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harvard CUSD 50- District Enrollment
- 2,499
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,744
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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