Average
#1863 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 49% in state
South Elem School
Elementary School · Crystal Lake CCSD 47
601 Golf Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Crystal Lake
#9 of 17
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,148 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 12
Crystal Lake CCSD 47
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About South Elem School
South Elem School serves 415 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Crystal Lake, Illinois, offering a strong elementary education experience with a favorable 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. The school ranks impressively at #594 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide with a solid 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, South Elementary maintains smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention.
The school's academic performance shows room for growth, particularly in English Language Arts where 37% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued academic development. The school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $102,530 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of 6.1% reflects the economic stability of the area, with median home values around $275,900.
This suburban setting, with nearly 49,000 residents in the zip code, provides South Elementary with a stable, education-focused community environment that supports student learning and family engagement. South Elem School is situated in Crystal Lake's large suburban landscape, serving families who value educational quality in a well-resourced McHenry County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Elem School — Students at South Elem School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How South Elem School Compares
See how South Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
601 Golf Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coventry Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Prairie Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Lake in the Hills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Crystal Lake, see our Crystal Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lundahl Middle School Crystal Lake | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Crystal Lake | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Crystal Lake South High School Crystal Lake | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Coventry Elem School Crystal Lake | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| North Elem School Crystal Lake | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Richard F Bernotas Middle Sch Crystal Lake | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Husmann Elem School Crystal Lake | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Crystal Lake Central High School Crystal Lake | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Crystal Lake | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Canterbury Elem School Crystal Lake | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Woods Creek Elementary School Crystal Lake | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| MONTESSORI PATHWAYS SCHOOL Crystal Lake | 1.9 mi | — |
| Indian Prairie Elem School Crystal Lake | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| West Elem School Crystal Lake | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Glacier Ridge Elementary School Crystal Lake | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Hannah Beardsley Middle School Crystal Lake | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Lake in the Hills | 2.7 mi | — |
| Lincoln Prairie Elem School Lake in the Hills | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Prairie Ridge High School Crystal Lake | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Lake in the Hills Elem School Lk in the Hls | 3.4 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,657
Median Home Value
$296,100
Median Rent
$1,429/mo
Population
48,383
College Educated
41.7%
Homeownership
80.6%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Elem School has a median household income of $104,657. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,100, with a median rent of $1,429/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport, IL | 6.3 |
| CICS - Bucktown Campus Chicago, IL | 6.3 |
| Caroline Sibley Elem School Calumet City, IL | 6.3 |
| Carruthers Elementary School Murphysboro, IL | 6.3 |
| Carver Primary School Chicago, IL | 6.3 |
| Centennial Elem School Polo, IL | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Elem School
What grades does South Elem School serve?
South Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Elem School?
South Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elem School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Elem School rank in IL?
South Elem School is ranked #1863 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Elem School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 South Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Elem School has 42.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Elem School a charter school?
No, South Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Elem School a Title I school?
No, South Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Elem School?
29.4% of students at South 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 (1,215/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Crystal Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- McHenry County
- Phone
- (815) 459-1143
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Crystal Lake CCSD 47- District Enrollment
- 7,033
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,871
- District Rank
- #6 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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