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Empire Elementary School

Q: Is Empire Elementary School a good school?

Empire Elementary School ranks in the bottom 2.1% of Illinois elementary schools.

Q: How many students attend Empire Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 295 students attended Empire Elementary School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Empire Elementary School?

Students at Empire Elementary School are 45% White, 26% African American, 15% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races.

Q: What schools do graduates of Empire Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Empire Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Carl Sandburg Middle School Middle : Freeport Middle School High : Freeport High School

Public Grades PK, KG-4

2013^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,056 Illinois Elementary Schools

Better than 2% of Illinois elementary schools

Summary

Empire Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Freeport, Illinois, serving grades PK-4 with a total enrollment of 407 students. The school is part of the Freeport School District 145, which is ranked 753 out of 811 school districts in Illinois and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite relatively high spending per student at $17,714 in the 2023-2024 school year, Empire Elementary School consistently underperforms compared to the district and the state of Illinois in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics proficiency. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 16% of all grades were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 27.5% for the district and 53.1% for the state. In Mathematics, the proficiency rate was even lower at 8%, compared to 18.3% for the district and 38.5% for the state. The school also struggles with high rates of chronic absenteeism, reaching 42.1% in the 2022-2023 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average.

When compared to other nearby elementary schools in the Freeport School District, such as Center Elementary School, Empire Elementary School consistently underperforms in both ELA and Mathematics proficiency. This suggests that the issue may not be solely related to funding and resources, but rather factors such as school leadership, teacher quality, and student engagement. Addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism and implementing targeted interventions to support underperforming student subgroups could be crucial steps in improving student outcomes at Empire Elementary School.

295

Students ?

12.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,192

Per pupil spending ?

66.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1325 Empire St
Freeport, IL 61032-6114

(815) 232-0380

District: Freeport School District 145

Students who attend Empire Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Carl Sandburg Middle School
	Freeport Middle School
High:	Freeport High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

45.1%

African American:

26.1%

Hispanic:

14.6%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Empire Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 40th percentile in 2015 → 2nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (12% vs 46% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (2nd percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (42% vs 25% Illinois)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school12%

District avg23%

Illinois avg46%

2,013^th of 2,056

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Bottom 2%▼ down 38 pts since 2015

From bottom 40% (2015) to bottom 2% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5Elementary Schools in the Freeport School District 145

753^rd of 811Freeport School District 145 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	7.5	2013 of 2056	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	12.0	1974 of 2067	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.6	1889 of 2077	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	18.2	1735 of 2082	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.8	1391 of 1948	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	41.9	1155 of 2086	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	47.4	990 of 2037	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	58.8	775 of 2044	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	69.4	568 of 2046	72.2%	★★★★☆
2015	36.6	1228 of 2052	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	30.0	1536 of 2093	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	47.2	1219 of 2167	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	61.0	1021 of 2166	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	70.1	732 of 2147	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	79.1	382 of 2139	82.1%	★★★★☆
2009	83.1	219 of 2120	89.7%	★★★★☆
2008	72.4	644 of 2092	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	74.0	544 of 2095	74.0%	★★★★☆
2006	54.7	1205 of 2086	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2005	44.1	1352 of 2022	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2004	63.0	899 of 2030	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2003	60.2	975 of 2020	51.7%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	18.0	643 of 688	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	21.9	604 of 655	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	28.2	549 of 692	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.6	620 of 684	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	15.5	1025 of 1049	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	18.9	876 of 886	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	38.2	485 of 907	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	11.0	1819 of 1942	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.0	1713 of 1942	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	16.7	1716 of 1957	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	23.7	1490 of 1970	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	30.4	1140 of 1680	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.7	1157 of 2019	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.4	742 of 1964	62.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	10.4	1756 of 1800	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.9	1684 of 1793	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	19.3	1650 of 1808	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	26.7	1378 of 1763	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	33.6	1031 of 1514	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.6	1257 of 1816	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.9	1034 of 1765	41.4%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	6.6	1918 of 1947	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.3	1924 of 1959	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.7	1807 of 1984	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.6	1780 of 1977	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.0	1374 of 1707	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.0	1053 of 2019	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.8	1145 of 1972	41.9%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2023	14.5	88 of 93	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.6	87 of 95	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	23.6	28 of 40	30.0%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	11.1	1277 of 1292	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	15.4	1188 of 1195	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	31.2	762 of 1156	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	24.9	927 of 1113	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.9	1046 of 1194	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	40.7	382 of 763	49.9%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	1.1	1388 of 1389	0.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	4.6	1377 of 1392	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.6	1404 of 1419	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.7	1366 of 1425	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	19.3	1148 of 1308	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.0	849 of 1462	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.6	946 of 1463	35.3%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2025)7th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2025)6th percentile+4 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)5th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)2nd percentile~ school

Disabled (2025)2nd percentile~ school

Male (2025)1st percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)1st percentile~ school

White (2025)<1st percentile~ school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts16%-37 vs state

Mathematics8%-30 vs state

★

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Schools Near Empire Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)	IAR English Language Arts (2025)					IAR Mathematics (2025)					% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Pneumococcal (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	IAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	IAR Mathematics 4th Grade	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Pneumococcal All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Empire Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1325 Empire St	Freeport	61032	Stephenson County	Freeport School District 145	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 232-0380	295	25	12.0	66.4%	133 (45.1%)	77 (26.1%)	43 (14.6%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (13.2%)	7.5	2013^th of 2056 public elementary schools	2.1%		12	1974^th of 2067 public elementary schools	4.5%	39		12.7	20.0			16.0	9.1	6.7			8.0	97.4	97.8	97.8	97.8	97.8	97.8	96.0	13.2		$18,192	$2,889	$15,303
Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1700 W Laurel St	Freeport	61032	Stephenson County	Freeport School District 145	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 232-0370	325	26	12.6	65.5%	136 (41.8%)	119 (36.6%)	19 (5.8%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	44 (13.5%)	17.5	1731^st of 2056 public elementary schools	15.8%		21.4	1647^th of 2067 public elementary schools	20.3%	84		17.2	32.7			24.3	17.2	24.5			20.6	97.9	97.5	97.5	97.5	99.3	97.2	97.2	11.2		$18,569	$2,661	$15,908
Blackhawk Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1401 S Blackhawk Ave	Freeport	61032	Stephenson County	Freeport School District 145	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 232-0490	361	26	13.9	59.8%	102 (28.3%)	52 (14.4%)	157 (43.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (13.6%)	20.7	1650^th of 2056 public elementary schools	19.7%		22.1	1623^rd of 2067 public elementary schools	21.5%	27		21.8	35.6			28.0	21.8	25.0			23.2	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	13.6		$16,653	$2,159	$14,494
Jones-Farrar International Baccalaureate	Public	K-6	1386 Kiwanis Dr	Freeport	61032	Stephenson County	Freeport School District 145	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 232-0610	350	28	12.6	52.6%	171 (48.9%)	88 (25.1%)	24 (6.9%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (18.3%)	22.6	1601^st of 2056 public elementary schools	22.1%		32.3	1333^rd of 2067 public elementary schools	35.5%	268	16.7	24.1	31.6	28.9	41.9	31.2	31.5	21.1	11.1	20.9	21.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.9	96.7	97.3		10.8	$18,475	$2,700	$15,775
Center Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	718 E Illinois St	Freeport	61032	Stephenson County	Freeport School District 145	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 232-0480	262	22	12.0	61.5%	119 (45.4%)	65 (24.8%)	31 (11.8%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (16.8%)	52.7	950^th of 2056 public elementary schools	53.8%		60.8	722^nd of 2067 public elementary schools	65.1%	228		40.9	47.5			44.8	52.3	45.9			48.6	97.9	97.9	97.9	97.9	98.3	97.6	97.6	15.7		$18,317	$2,289	$16,028
Dakota Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	400 Campus Dr	Dakota	61018	Stephenson County	Dakota CUSD 201	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(844) 632-5682	410	33	12.6	35.6%	374 (91.2%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.4%)	55.9	890^th of 2056 public elementary schools	56.7%		57.2	774^th of 2067 public elementary schools	62.6%	116	39.3	42.1	43.9	47.5	58.0	47.6	59.6	47.4	32.8	42.0	45.3	93.1	95.1	95.1	95.1	17.9	95.1	95.6	4.7	9.8	$13,106	$742	$12,364
Pearl City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	100 S Summit St	Pearl City	61062	Stephenson County	Pearl City CUSD 200	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 443-2715	213	20	10.8	39.9%	170 (79.8%)	5 (2.3%)	30 (14.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.8%)	47.7	1045^th of 2056 public elementary schools	49.2%		56.6	789^th of 2067 public elementary schools	61.8%	256	35.7	53.1	34.6	39.3	48.1	44.2	68.8	30.8	35.7	25.9	41.6	96.3	96.3	96.3	96.3	96.3	96.3	96.3	31.3	30.0	$17,006	$945	$16,061
Lena-Winslow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	401 Fremont St	Lena	61048	Stephenson County	Lena Winslow CUSD 202	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 369-2525	412	29	14.2	40.5%	380 (92.2%)	8 (1.9%)	18 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	82.5	334^th of 2056 public elementary schools	83.8%		77.3	434^th of 2067 public elementary schools	79.0%	100	55.2	77.0	73.3	70.2		72.9	77.0	48.3	54.4		59.1	98.1	98.1	98.1	98.1	98.8	98.1	98.1	16.1		$12,326	$1,423	$10,902
Eastland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	601 S Chestnut St	Shannon	61078	Carroll County	Eastland CUSD 308	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 864-2300	433	30	14.3	47.3%	390 (90.1%)	4 (0.9%)	25 (5.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.8%)	82	346^th of 2056 public elementary schools	83.2%		88.4	217^th of 2067 public elementary schools	89.5%	129	68.6	67.8	69.5	60.4	66.7	66.2	74.6	67.8	47.2	49.1	60.1	86.4	89.0	89.0	89.0	3.6	88.4	87.2	3.9		$13,498	$948	$12,550
German Valley Grade School	Public	PK-K	601 E Main St	Forreston	61030	Stephenson County	Forrestville Valley CUSD 221	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 362-2279	70	5	14.1	28.6%	61 (87.1%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.3%)								(n/a)												93.7	93.7	93.7	93.7	97.5	93.7	93.7	29.1		$14,577	$485	$14,092

Frequently Asked Questions about Empire Elementary School

How many students attend Empire Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 295 students attended Empire Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Empire Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Empire Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Carl Sandburg Middle School
Middle : Freeport Middle School
High : Freeport High School

What is the racial makeup of Empire Elementary School?

Students at Empire Elementary School are 45% White, 26% African American, 15% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races.

What district is Empire Elementary School in?

Freeport School District 145

Is Empire Elementary School a good school?

Empire Elementary School ranks in the bottom 2.1% of Illinois elementary schools.

Rate Empire Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.