Top Rankings
Dekalb CUSD 428 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 4,360 students in Dekalb CUSD 428 School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Illinois.
Public Elementary Schools in Dekalb CUSD 428 School District have an average math proficiency score of 13% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 15% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
12 Schools
3,104 Schools
# Students
6,719 Students
1,223,913 Students
# Teachers
467 Teachers
89,923 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Dekalb CUSD 428 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 79% has decreased from 82% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#743 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
50%
Graduation Rate
79%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
31%
27%
% Black
28%
17%
% White
33%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,272 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,990. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,438 is less than the state median of $21,244. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$130 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$117 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,272
$21,990
Spending / Student
$17,438
$21,244
Best Dekalb CUSD 428 School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
211 Mccormick Dr
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2263
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2263
Grades: K-5
| 321 students
Rank: #22.
Malta Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5068 Il Route 38
Malta, IL 60150
(815) 754-2970
Malta, IL 60150
(815) 754-2970
Grades: K-5
| 287 students
Rank: #33.
Littlejohn Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1121 School St
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2258
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2258
Grades: K-5
| 361 students
Rank: #44.
Huntley Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1515 S 4th St
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2241
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2241
Grades: 6-8
| 891 students
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
220 E Sunset Pl
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2212
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2212
Grades: K-5
| 267 students
Rank: #66.
Clinton Rosette Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
650 N 1st St
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2226
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2226
Grades: 6-8
| 582 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Cortland Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
370 E Lexington Ave
Cortland, IL 60112
(815) 754-2360
Cortland, IL 60112
(815) 754-2360
Grades: K-5
| 505 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Founders Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
821 S 7th St
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-3800
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-3800
Grades: K-5
| 543 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3225 Sangamon Dr
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-9936
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-9936
Grades: K-5
| 323 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Tyler Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1021 Alden Circle
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2389
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2389
Grades: K-5
| 280 students
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.