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Welcome to DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, a vibrant, diverse, and growing community of learners located in DeKalb, County, approximately 60 miles west of the Chicago “Loop” and 40 miles southeast of Rockford. 

DeKalb CUSD 428 is a unit school district serving more than 6,800 students in grades Pre-K – 12. The estimated population of the District is 51,522 and it encompasses 108 square miles and includes the City of DeKalb, the Town of Cortland, the Village of Malta, a small section of the City of Sycamore, and substantial portions of unincorporated areas within six DeKalb County townships.

The District includes some of the most fertile agricultural land in the state, substantial industrial and commercial components and one of the state’s largest higher education institutions, Northern Illinois University. I-88 (the East-West Tollway) traverses the District with access to two interchanges.

District 428 offers its diverse student population a broad cross-section of courses and opportunities tailored to the needs of all students with a focus on robust programming and options in a learning environment with equitable access for all children.


district 428 logo with D and wings and the text says DeKalb Community Unit School District 428

Schools

1

Early Learning Development Center

9

Elementary Schools

2

Middle Schools

1

High School

1

Transition center for students with disabilities aged 18-22

Students

6700+

Total student enrollment

$19,327

Operating expenditure per student (FY24)

5,251

Average number of students transported per year(FY24)

48

Number of competitive sports (FY24)

100

Clubs and extra curricular activities (FY24)

Employees

1,301

Number of Employees
D428 is the third largest employer in the city.

a proud graduate
students work on a pumpkin project teacher assists elementary school student
Kids in a circle reading
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