Serving 367 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Carl Sandburg Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Kindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 367 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 93%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in IL
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Carl Sandburg Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Carl Sandburg Elementary School's student population of 367 students has declined by 10% over five school years.
The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 18% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
367 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
School Calendar
School Rankings
Carl Sandburg Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Carl Sandburg Elementary School is 0.62, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3268 out of 3426 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)≤5%
28%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
50%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
40%
28%
Black
47%
16%
White
7%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (12-13)
6%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carl Sandburg Elementary School's ranking?
Carl Sandburg Elementary School is ranked #3268 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Carl Sandburg Elementary School often compared to?
Carl Sandburg Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Taft Elementary School, Aux Sable Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while ≤5% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
How many students attend Carl Sandburg Elementary School?
367 students attend Carl Sandburg Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of Carl Sandburg Elementary School students are Black, 40% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are White, and 6% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Carl Sandburg Elementary School?
Carl Sandburg Elementary School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Carl Sandburg Elementary School offer ?
Carl Sandburg Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is Carl Sandburg Elementary School part of?
Carl Sandburg Elementary School is part of Joliet PSD 86 School District.
School Reviews
Review Carl Sandburg Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.