Average
#2029 of 3,813 schools in IL
South Prairie Elementary School
Elementary School · Sycamore CUSD 427
820 Borden Ave, Sycamore, IL 60178
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sycamore
#3 of 7
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,247 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 7
Sycamore CUSD 427
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About South Prairie Elementary School
South Prairie Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the small suburban community of Sycamore, Illinois. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and currently has an enrollment of 367 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, ensuring that each child receives ample attention and support. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the students' growth and development, South Prairie Elementary focuses on creating a nurturing environment for young learners.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, South Prairie Elementary School scores a 5.7 out of 10 overall, with an academic score of 5.9/10. The school ranks at #1676 among the 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 56th percentile for state performance. In terms of standardized testing, South Prairie Elementary has 25% proficiency or above in ELA and reading skills and 30% proficiency or above in math across all grade levels, indicating areas where the school is focusing on academic improvement.
South Prairie Elementary School is situated in a peaceful suburban neighborhood that provides students with a safe and supportive learning environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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South Prairie Elementary School — Students at South Prairie Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.2%
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: 6.0/10.
How South Prairie Elementary School Compares
See how South Prairie Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
820 Borden Ave, Sycamore, IL 60178
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Prairie Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeast Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sycamore, see our Sycamore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sycamore High School Sycamore | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| West Elem School Sycamore | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Southeast Elem School Sycamore | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Sycamore Middle School Sycamore | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| North Elementary School Sycamore | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore | 3.0 mi | — |
| Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| North Grove Elementary School Sycamore | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dekalb | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| DeKalb High School Dekalb | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Cortland Elementary School Cortland | 4.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Founders Elementary School Dekalb | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 5.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 5.1 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60178 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,314
Median Home Value
$262,700
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
21,709
College Educated
44.4%
Homeownership
72.5%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Prairie Elementary School has a median household income of $88,314. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $262,700, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Bond Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Carter Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Prairie Elementary School
What grades does South Prairie Elementary School serve?
South Prairie Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Prairie Elementary School?
South Prairie Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 367 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Prairie Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Prairie Elementary School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Prairie Elementary School rank in IL?
South Prairie Elementary School is ranked #2029 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Prairie Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Prairie Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 South Prairie Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Prairie Elementary School has 29.5% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Prairie Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Prairie Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Prairie Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Prairie Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Prairie Elementary School?
36.2% of students at South Prairie Elementary 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 (1,063/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sycamore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 367
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (815) 899-8299
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sycamore CUSD 427- District Enrollment
- 3,665
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,897
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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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