Is Carman-Buckner Elementary School a good school?

Carman-Buckner Elementary School ranks in the bottom 10.4% of Illinois elementary schools.

How many students attend Carman-Buckner Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 485 students attended Carman-Buckner Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Carman-Buckner Elementary School?

Students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School are 79% Hispanic, 18% African American, 2% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Carman-Buckner Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Carman-Buckner Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : John R Lewis Middle School High : Waukegan High School

Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Summary:

Carman-Buckner Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waukegan, Illinois, serving 431 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Waukegan CUSD 60 district, which is ranked 745 out of 813 districts in Illinois and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Carman-Buckner Elementary School consistently ranks in the bottom 10-15% of Illinois elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics are significantly lower than the district and state averages, with only 6.6% of students proficient or better in ELA in 2023-2024, compared to 17% for the district and 41.2% for the state. The school's performance on the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) is also low, with only 17.4% of students proficient or better in 2023-2024, compared to 30.5% for the district and 53.2% for the state. Additionally, Carman-Buckner Elementary School has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 26.3% in 2019-2020 to 49.5% in 2020-2021, significantly higher than the state average.

The nearby schools, such as Whittier Elementary, Glen Flora Elementary, and Lyon Magnet Elementary, also perform poorly compared to the state averages, but generally outperform Carman-Buckner Elementary School in academic metrics. For example, in 2023-2024, the percentage of students proficient or better in ELA ranged from 8.3% at Whittier Elementary to 45.8% at the higher-performing Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School, which is located just 0.46 miles from Carman-Buckner.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

520 Helmholz Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085-6428

(224) 303-1500

District: Waukegan CUSD 60

SchoolDigger Rank:
1852^nd of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $24,320

Students who attend Carman-Buckner Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	John R Lewis Middle School
High:	Waukegan High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.7

Number of students: 485

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

78.8%

African American:

17.5%

Two or more races:

2.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 85.8%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Carman-Buckner Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Carman-Buckner Elementary School ranks worse than 89.6% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 11^th among 15 ranked elementary schools in the Waukegan CUSD 60 School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.97. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (78.8%), African American (17.5%), two or more races (2.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 85.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Waukegan CUSD 60 School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Carman-Buckner Elementary School is 12.7, which is the 6^th best among 15 elementary schools in the Waukegan CUSD 60 School District. (See more...)

Compare Carman-Buckner Elementary School employs 38 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Carman-Buckner Elementary School is $24,320, which is the 4^th highest among 15 elementary schools in the Waukegan CUSD 60 School District.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Carman-Buckner Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Carman-Buckner Elementary School 1852^nd of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Carman-Buckner Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

English Language Learner students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Disabled students:

Male students:

African American students:

Hispanic students:

Waukegan CUSD 60:

SchoolDigger ranks Waukegan CUSD 60 745^th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Carman-Buckner Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2003	6.91	1843^rd	2020	8.8%
2004	31.53	1555^th	2030	23.4%
2005	32.47	1539^th	2022	23.9%
2006	15.72	1841^st	2086	11.7%
2007	10.21	1919^th	2095	8.4%
2008	4.29	2019^th	2092	3.5%
2009	2.59	2079^th	2120	1.9%
2010	4.06	2078^th	2139	2.9%
2011	5.58	2075^th	2147	3.4%
2012	10.19	2022^nd	2166	6.6%
2013	8.68	2050^th	2167	5.4%
2014	6.36	2030^th	2093	3.0%
2015	8.80	2026^th	2052	1.3%
2016	8.78	2005^th	2046	2.0%
2017	6.27	2038^th	2044	0.3%
2018	5.60	2035^th	2037	0.1%
2019	8.05	2055^th	2086	1.5%
2021	13.35	1847^th	1948	5.2%
2022	17.49	1764^th	2082	15.3%
2023	15.75	1839^th	2077	11.5%
2024	14.97	1852^nd	2067	10.4%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	18.56	701^st	718	2.4%
2019	29.91	616^th	743	17.1%
2021	28.44	475^th	537	11.5%
2022	39.41	445^th	768	42.1%
2023	37.78	482^nd	788	38.8%
2024	38.91	490^th	826	40.7%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	20.18	738^th	763	3.3%
2019	21.75	1089^th	1194	8.8%
2021	21.40	586^th	640	8.4%
2022	23.72	984^th	1113	11.6%
2023	18.79	1084^th	1156	6.2%
2024	15.70	1161^st	1195	2.8%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	7.55	1763^rd	1765	0.1%
2019	11.77	1779^th	1816	2.0%
2021	21.66	1343^rd	1514	11.3%
2022	24.66	1431^st	1763	18.8%
2023	22.65	1548^th	1808	14.4%
2024	22.80	1508^th	1793	15.9%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	5.69	1963^rd	1964	0.1%
2019	7.12	2004^th	2019	0.7%
2021	12.39	1601^st	1680	4.7%
2022	19.88	1601^st	1970	18.7%
2023	18.92	1645^th	1957	15.9%
2024	16.06	1710^th	1942	11.9%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	23.35	768^th	907	15.3%
2024	19.69	852^nd	886	3.8%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	6.94	1969^th	1972	0.2%
2019	10.76	1939^th	2019	4.0%
2021	12.36	1658^th	1707	2.9%
2022	15.96	1764^th	1977	10.8%
2023	14.60	1810^th	1984	8.8%
2024	15.00	1760^th	1959	10.2%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	14.22	694^th	698	0.6%
2019	18.05	686^th	711	3.5%
2022	30.20	510^th	684	25.4%
2024	20.92	618^th	655	5.6%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	7.39	938^th	938	0.0%
2019	11.26	947^th	955	0.8%
2021	20.98	696^th	742	6.2%
2022	26.87	756^th	954	20.8%
2023	23.99	820^th	970	15.5%
2024	23.89	783^rd	959	18.4%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.3)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Wednesday, September 23, 2020

No Comment. Close Quote

by a teacher
Thursday, October 31, 2019

Carman Buckner has improved dramatically with its new administration in recent years. Test scores and attendance have improved. Referrals and behavioral issues have decreased. There are high hopes for Carman Buckner and I do not doubt that with great administration, it can greatly improve all aspects over time. Also, the data provided on this website is not accurate or up do date. Close Quote

by a teacher
Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Carman is ranked below 1 percent? I have been a teacher for 22 years, 20 of those in CPS, I can beyond a reasonable shadow of a doubt tell you that this school is not bad at all. There are a few students that come here that are needing of discipline and guidance at home but there are a lot of wonderful, special students here at this school. For example, musically speaking, we have two absolutely incredible drum set players here! 3rd graders no less. The teachers on staff here care about the students and that is a huge plus and the administration is working hard to make this a much better school. I can say that most of CPS schools are not schools that I would teach at and I teach here and enjoy it. I gave three stars because it has much potential and while it will never be a St. Charles or Geneva type of school I can tell you that it is NOT a bad school at all. Yes, there is a percentage of students that are a challenge but we are reaching them and they are improving, whether or not they will improve 100 percent is up to their parents. If you are a good parent there is no reason why you would want to avoid this school. It is a rising star. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Carman-Buckner Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	16	475	n/a	106	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	597
1990	14	411	n/a	100	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	525
1991	18	394	0	111	0	n/a	n/a	0	523
1992	19	415	1	71	0	n/a	n/a	0	506
1993	7	349	0	273	0	n/a	n/a	0	629
1994	5	357	0	332	0	n/a	n/a	0	694
1995	1	280	0	450	0	n/a	n/a	0	731
1996	1	280	0	450	0	n/a	n/a	0	731
1997	0	267	2	451	0	n/a	n/a	0	720
1998	6	220	0	478	0	n/a	n/a	0	704
1999	11	223	0	507	0	n/a	n/a	0	741
2000	8	186	0	530	0	n/a	n/a	0	724
2001	8	188	1	569	0	n/a	n/a	0	766
2002	4	139	0	603	0	n/a	n/a	0	746
2003	4	139	0	603	0	n/a	n/a	0	746
2004	1	124	3	605	0	n/a	n/a	0	733
2005	0	107	2	560	1	n/a	n/a	0	670
2006	1	86	1	598	0	n/a	n/a	4	690
2007	3	80	1	509	1	n/a	n/a	2	596
2008	5	66	1	470	0	n/a	n/a	6	548
2009	10	93	1	463	0	n/a	n/a	5	572
2010	18	138	0	586	0	n/a	n/a	11	753
2011	9	130	1	543	6	1	14	0	704
2012	5	130	0	513	6	1	10	0	665
2013	3	137	0	500	8	0	14	0	662
2014	3	163	0	487	9	0	14	0	676
2015	7	155	0	544	10	0	15	0	731
2016	9	170	0	512	8	0	11	0	710
2017	8	171	0	467	2	1	13	0	662
2018	7	150	0	424	5	3	17	0	606
2019	10	140	0	381	6	1	15	0	553
2020	6	127	2	394	4	0	11	0	544
2021	4	92	1	357	4	0	11	0	469
2022	9	85	1	355	3	0	11	0	464
2023	6	67	1	344	4	0	9	0	431
2024	4	85	0	382	3	0	11	0	485

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	597	31.0	19.2	n/a
1990	525	29.0	18.1	n/a
1991	523	33.0	15.8	n/a
1992	506	29.0	17.4	n/a
1993	629	36.0	17.5	n/a
1994	694	34.0	20.4	n/a
1995	731	39.0	18.7	n/a
1996	731	39.0	18.7	n/a
1997	720	43.0	16.7	n/a
1998	704	42.0	16.8	n/a
1999	741	25.8	28.7	n/a
2000	724	33.9	21.4	n/a
2001	766	33.9	22.6	n/a
2002	746	36.9	20.2	51.3
2003	746	36.9	20.2	51.3
2004	733	43.0	17.0	76.4
2005	670	51.0	13.1	81.2
2006	690	48.0	14.4	76.7
2007	596	44.0	13.5	81.5
2008	548	35.0	15.7	77.1
2009	572	42.0	13.6	87.5
2010	753	43.0	17.5	92.3
2011	704	42.0	16.7	83.5
2012	665	43.0	15.4	76.2
2013	662	44.2	14.9	n/a
2014	676	35.0	19.3	89.1
2015	731	49.0	14.9	89.2
2016	710	44.0	16.1	77.6
2017	662	47.5	13.9	88.8
2018	606	43.5	13.9	88.3
2019	553	31.0	17.8	85.4
2020	544	43.0	12.6	83.6
2021	469	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	464	32.2	14.3	86.2
2023	431	38.2	11.2	77
2024	485	38.0	12.7	85.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	597	31.0	19.2	n/a
1990	525	29.0	18.1	n/a
1991	523	33.0	15.8	n/a
1992	506	29.0	17.4	n/a
1993	629	36.0	17.5	n/a
1994	694	34.0	20.4	n/a
1995	731	39.0	18.7	n/a
1996	731	39.0	18.7	n/a
1997	720	43.0	16.7	n/a
1998	704	42.0	16.8	n/a
1999	741	25.8	28.7	n/a
2000	724	33.9	21.4	n/a
2001	766	33.9	22.6	n/a
2002	746	36.9	20.2	51.3
2003	746	36.9	20.2	51.3
2004	733	43.0	17.0	76.4
2005	670	51.0	13.1	81.2
2006	690	48.0	14.4	76.7
2007	596	44.0	13.5	81.5
2008	548	35.0	15.7	77.1
2009	572	42.0	13.6	87.5
2010	753	43.0	17.5	92.3
2011	704	42.0	16.7	83.5
2012	665	43.0	15.4	76.2
2013	662	44.2	14.9	n/a
2014	676	35.0	19.3	89.1
2015	731	49.0	14.9	89.2
2016	710	44.0	16.1	77.6
2017	662	47.5	13.9	88.8
2018	606	43.5	13.9	88.3
2019	553	31.0	17.8	85.4
2020	544	43.0	12.6	83.6
2021	469	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	464	32.2	14.3	86.2
2023	431	38.2	11.2	77
2024	485	38.0	12.7	85.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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