Cortland’s public schools score below 84% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Cortland’s districts is 11%, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cortland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cortland’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1508 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cortland’s, its schools beat 9%, lower than their 16% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 16% of tested students were proficient in reading and 11% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,601 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cortland’s grade
C−: better than 16% of Illinois school districts, #673 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cortland, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Cortland
DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr
Grades PK · 281 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
6th grade in Cortland · depends on your address
Huntley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
Clinton Rosette Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 575 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in DeKalb
7th grade in Cortland · depends on your address
Huntley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
Clinton Rosette Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 575 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in DeKalb
8th grade in Cortland · depends on your address
Huntley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
Clinton Rosette Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 575 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in DeKalb
9th grade in Cortland
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,134 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
10th grade in Cortland
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,134 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
11th grade in Cortland
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,134 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
12th grade in Cortland
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,134 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
Cortland’s public schools are run by DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, which also serves Afton, Cortland, DeKalb and DeKalb and others. Parts of Cortland (19% and 19% of its land) are served by Sycamore Community Unit School District 427 and Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Cortland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Cortland’s borders.
Every school in Cortland
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Cortland’s schools
Are Cortland’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cortland children attend score below 84% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #673 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cortland in?
DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,771 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Cortland are served by Sycamore Community Unit School District 427 and Kaneland Community Unit School District 302.
Where do Cortland kids go to high school?
DeKalb High School in Dekalb, with 2,134 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Cortland’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Cortland spend per student?
$21,601 in DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Cortland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cortland → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.