Very Good
#1240 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 33% in state
West Elem School
Elementary School · Sycamore CUSD 427
240 S Fair St, Sycamore, IL 60178
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sycamore
#2 of 7
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#784 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 7
Sycamore CUSD 427
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About West Elem School
West Elem School serves 254 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Sycamore, a charming small suburban community in DeKalb County. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #899 out of 3,819 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 76th percentile among Illinois schools.
With an academic score of 7.4 out of 10, West Elementary demonstrates steady educational performance, though reading proficiency at 37% across grade levels suggests opportunities for continued academic growth and support. The school draws families from a well-established neighborhood where the median household income reaches $84,787 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of 7.8% and median home values around $257,700, the community reflects stability and educational commitment.
Located on South Fair Street, West Elem School sits in the heart of Sycamore's small suburban setting, where students benefit from both community support and small-town values in their educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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West Elem School — Students at West Elem School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.8%
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: 5.9/10.
How West Elem School Compares
See how West Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
240 S Fair St, Sycamore, IL 60178
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeast Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sycamore, see our Sycamore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sycamore High School Sycamore | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| AURORA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS CORNERSTONE CAMPUS Sycamore | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sycamore | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| South Prairie Elementary School Sycamore | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Southeast Elem School Sycamore | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Sycamore Middle School Sycamore | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| North Elementary School Sycamore | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE OF SYCAMORE AND DEKALB Sycamore | 2.1 mi | — |
| North Grove Elementary School Sycamore | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch Dekalb | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Littlejohn Elem School Dekalb | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dekalb | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| DeKalb High School Dekalb | 3.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb | 4.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Cortland Elementary School Cortland | 5.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Founders Elementary School Dekalb | 5.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dekalb | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Huntley Middle School Dekalb | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb | 6.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Tyler Elementary School De Kalb | 5.9 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 West Elem 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 |
|---|---|
| Bright Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Chopin Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Devonshire School Des Plaines, IL | 7.0 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Eisenhower Elem School Jacksonville, IL | 7.0 |
| Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Elem School
What grades does West Elem School serve?
West Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend West Elem School?
West Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Elem School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Elem School rank in IL?
West Elem School is ranked #1240 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is West Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Elem School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 West Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Elem School has 24.5% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Elem School a charter school?
No, West Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Elem School a Title I school?
No, West Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Elem School?
59.8% of students at West 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 (1,063/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sycamore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (815) 899-8219
- 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
- #2 of 7
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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