- Cortland Elementary School — 1.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 523 students
- Littlejohn Elem School — 2.7 mi · Grades K–5 · 362 students
- Founders Elementary School — 3.1 mi · Grades K–5 · 565 students
- Clinton Rosette Middle School — 3.2 mi · Grades 6–8 · 575 students
- Huntley Middle School — 3.4 mi · Grades 6–8 · 865 students
- Lincoln Elementary School — 3.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 272 students
- DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr — 3.4 mi · Grades PK–PK · 281 students
- Jefferson Elem School — 3.6 mi · Grades K–5 · 308 students
| Metric | DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 6,840 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 12 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $21,601/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 23% above avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 (this district) | 1/10 | 8th | 6,840 |
| Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 | 5/10 | 48th | 4,040 |
| Sycamore Community Unit School District 427 | 6/10 | 56th | 3,598 |
| Hinckley-Big Rock Community Unit School District 429 | 6/10 | 57th | 696 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 8th percentile → 1/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About DeKalb Community Unit School District 428
DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 is the public school district assigned to zip code 60112 in Cortland, Illinois. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 60112. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 1 out of 10 — low-rated among Illinois public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Illinois’ IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2023–24 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Illinois is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Illinois on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 60112
Children in zip code 60112 are assigned to DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 60112, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Illinois districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Dekalb
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 serves zip code 60112, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 60112. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Illinois, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 60112.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 60112 data.