Photo: Johnnie Tran · CC BY-SA 3.0DeKalb’s public schools score below 84% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 11% of DeKalb’s students scored proficient, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving DeKalb, 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.
DeKalb’s schools, in brief
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 DeKalb’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 DeKalb, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in DeKalb
DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr
Grades PK · 281 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
6th grade in DeKalb · 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
7th grade in DeKalb · 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
8th grade in DeKalb · 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
9th grade in DeKalb
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,134 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
10th grade in DeKalb
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,134 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dekalb
DeKalb’s public schools are run by DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, which also serves Afton, Cortland, Cortland and DeKalb and others. Parts of DeKalb (4% of its land) are served by Sycamore Community Unit School District 427 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
DeKalb vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share DeKalb’s borders.
Every school in DeKalb
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 DeKalb’s schools
Are DeKalb’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools DeKalb 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 18%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is DeKalb 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 DeKalb are served by Sycamore Community Unit School District 427.
Where do DeKalb kids go to high school?
DeKalb High School in Dekalb, with 2,134 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is DeKalb’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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near DeKalb → 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.