DeKalb County Schools & Education
DeKalb County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
66/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
89.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,471
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
66/100
Higher = better
State avg 63/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#41
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: DeKalb County
School Verdict
DeKalb County performs at an average level with a school score of 66/100 and a solid graduation rate of 89.8%.
Funding Context
DeKalb County spends $9,471 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for DeKalb County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% above the Illinois average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in DeKalb County, Illinois
A Large and Diverse School Network
DeKalb County manages a robust system of 42 public schools, including 23 elementary and 11 high schools. Over 16,300 students are enrolled across eight active school districts.
Strong Graduation and Funding Benchmarks
The county's 89.8% graduation rate beats both the state and national averages, reflecting a high level of student success. Local spending of $9,471 per pupil also sits above the state average, fueling a solid 58.8 composite school score.
DeKalb and Sycamore District Leaders
DeKalb CUSD 428 is the largest district by far, serving 6,840 students across 12 schools. Sycamore CUSD 427 also maintains a significant presence with seven schools and 3,598 students.
Suburban Reach and Rural Roots
The county features a mix of 23 suburban and 13 rural schools, creating diverse educational settings. DeKalb High School is the county's largest campus with 2,083 students, while the average school size across the county is 418.
Find Your Home in a Growing District
With high graduation rates and a variety of school settings, DeKalb County is a prime location for families. Research homes in Sycamore or DeKalb to access some of the region's largest and most resource-rich schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
42
in DeKalb County
Total Enrollment
16,302
students
School Districts
8
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
8 School Districts in DeKalb County
DeKalb CUSD 428
Sycamore CUSD 427
Sandwich CUSD 430
Genoa Kingston CUSD 424
Somonauk CUSD 432
Indian Creek CUSD 425
Hiawatha CUSD 426
De Kalb ROE
42 Public Schools in DeKalb County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb High School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | 9–12 | High | 2,083 |
| Sycamore High School | Sycamore CUSD 427 | 9–12 | High | 1,191 |
| Huntley Middle School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | 6–8 | Middle | 934 |
| Sycamore Middle School | Sycamore CUSD 427 | 6–8 | Middle | 822 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | 6–8 | Middle | 615 |
| Sandwich Community High School | Sandwich CUSD 430 | 9–12 | High | 569 |
| Founders Elementary School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | KG–5 | Primary | 556 |
| Cortland Elementary School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | KG–5 | Primary | 519 |
| Genoa-Kingston High School | Genoa Kingston CUSD 424 | 9–12 | High | 509 |
| North Grove Elementary School | Sycamore CUSD 427 | KG–5 | Primary | 467 |
| Sandwich Middle School | Sandwich CUSD 430 | 6–8 | Middle | 438 |
| Littlejohn Elem School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | KG–5 | Primary | 356 |
| Genoa-Kingston Middle School | Genoa Kingston CUSD 424 | 6–8 | Middle | 353 |
| Kingston Elementary School | Genoa Kingston CUSD 424 | PK–2 | Primary | 344 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elem Sch | DeKalb CUSD 428 | KG–5 | Primary | 342 |
| Genoa Elementary School | Genoa Kingston CUSD 424 | 3–5 | Primary | 338 |
| Hinckley-Big Rock Elem Sch | Hinckley Big Rock CUSD 429 | PK–5 | Primary | 337 |
| Jefferson Elem School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | KG–5 | Primary | 319 |
| Tyler Elementary School | DeKalb CUSD 428 | KG–5 | Primary | 309 |
| South Prairie Elementary School | Sycamore CUSD 427 | PK–5 | Primary | 306 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,471
State avg $9,250
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in DeKalb County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in DeKalb County rate?
What is the graduation rate in DeKalb County?
How much does DeKalb County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in DeKalb County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in DeKalb County, Illinois?
DeKalb County manages a robust system of 42 public schools, including 23 elementary and 11 high schools. Over 16,300 students are enrolled across eight active school districts.
How do schools in DeKalb County perform academically?
The county's 89.8% graduation rate beats both the state and national averages, reflecting a high level of student success. Local spending of $9,471 per pupil also sits above the state average, fueling a solid 58.8 composite school score.
What are the major school districts in DeKalb County, Illinois?
DeKalb CUSD 428 is the largest district by far, serving 6,840 students across 12 schools. Sycamore CUSD 427 also maintains a significant presence with seven schools and 3,598 students.
What is the school experience like in DeKalb County?
The county features a mix of 23 suburban and 13 rural schools, creating diverse educational settings. DeKalb High School is the county's largest campus with 2,083 students, while the average school size across the county is 418.
How can I find homes near good schools in DeKalb County, Illinois?
With high graduation rates and a variety of school settings, DeKalb County is a prime location for families. Research homes in Sycamore or DeKalb to access some of the region's largest and most resource-rich schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.