| Index | Gardner | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 35% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 2 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 306 | 7,963 |
| Index | Gardner | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 89.5% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 88.4% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 57.5% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 25.2% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 15.0% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 3.1% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.2% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 2 public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Gardner. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Gardner, IL schools is 35%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In Gardner, IL, an average of 89.5% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 88.4% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Elwood, IL | 2,524 | 51% | 5.2% |
| Coal City, IL | 4,941 | 49% | 1.3% |
| South Wilmington, IL | 702 | 45% | 6.3% |
| Wilmington, IL | 5,883 | 42% | 12.2% |
| Morris, IL | 14,420 | 42% | 12.5% |
| Gardner, IL | 1,429 | 35% | 27.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Summerdale, AL | 1,429 | 46% | 4.2% |
| Elkhart, TX | 1,428 | 53% | 9.4% |
| Bunkerville, NV | 1,430 | 38% | 21.9% |
| New Rockford, ND | 1,428 | 51% | 6.3% |
| Wellman, IA | 1,428 | 74% | 53.1% |
| Gardner, IL | 1,429 | 35% | 27.6% |
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