Garfield Township’s public schools score below 51% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
In Garfield Township, 20% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Illinois average (30%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Garfield Township, 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.
Garfield Township’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1330 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Garfield Township’s, its schools beat 44%, lower than their 49% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 20% and math 29% across its districts in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Gardner-South Wilmington Township High spends $30,824 per student and Gardner Community Consolidated School District 72C $19,090, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one high school
From grade 9 the district’s path is Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. 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 Garfield Township’s grade
B−: better than 49% of Illinois school districts. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Garfield Township, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
Kindergarten in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
1st grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
2nd grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
3rd grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
4th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
5th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
6th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
7th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
8th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 146 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
9th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S
Grades 9–12 · 154 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
10th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S
Grades 9–12 · 154 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
11th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S
Grades 9–12 · 154 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
12th grade in Garfield Township
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S
Grades 9–12 · 154 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Gardner
Parts of Garfield Township (17%, 12% and 5% of its land) are served by Dwight Common School District 232, Herscher Community Unit School District 2 and South Wilmington Consolidated School District 74 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Garfield Township
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
Garfield Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Garfield Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Garfield Township | B− | Gardner Community Consolidated School District 72C PK–8 · Gardner-South Wilmington Township High 9–12 · Dwight Township High School District 230 9–12 |
| Greenfield | B+ | Herscher Community Unit School District 2 PK–12 · South Wilmington Consolidated School District 74 K–8 · Gardner-South Wilmington Township High 9–12 |
| Goodfarm | — | Dwight Common School District 232 PK–8 · Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elementary School District 2C PK–8 · Gardner Community Consolidated School District 72C PK–8 |
| Gardner | B− | Gardner Community Consolidated School District 72C PK–8 · Gardner-South Wilmington Township High 9–12 |
| Maine | — | Coal City Community Unit School District 1 PK–12 · Gardner Community Consolidated School District 72C PK–8 · Gardner-South Wilmington Township High 9–12 |
All 4 neighbors share Gardner-South Wilmington Township High with Garfield Township for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Garfield Township
2 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 Garfield Township’s schools
Are Garfield Township’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Garfield Township children attend score below 51% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Garfield Township in?
Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 154 students in 1 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Garfield Township are served by Dwight Common School District 232, Herscher Community Unit School District 2 and South Wilmington Consolidated School District 74.
Where do Garfield Township kids go to high school?
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S in Gardner, with 154 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Garfield Township’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Dwight Township High School District 230 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Garfield Township spend per student?
$30,824 in Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School District, $19,090 in Gardner Community Consolidated School District 72C and $31,169 in Dwight Township High School District 230 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Garfield Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Garfield Township → 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.