Fayette County Schools & Education
Fayette County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
54/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,252
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
54/100
Higher = better
State avg 63/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#77
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Fayette County
School Verdict
Fayette County performs at an average level with a school score of 54/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.0%.
Funding Context
Fayette County spends $9,252 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Fayette County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Fayette County, Illinois
Six Districts Serving Fayette's Student Community
Fayette County operates 15 public schools, including four elementary, four middle, and seven high schools. These facilities serve 2,896 students through a system of six active school districts. The infrastructure focuses heavily on secondary education, featuring more high school campuses than any other level.
Targeted Investment Near State Funding Levels
The county invests $9,252 per pupil, nearly identical to the Illinois state average of $9,250. Although the 86% graduation rate sits slightly below the national 87% average, the county maintains a competitive school score of 56.3. This investment level shows a commitment to providing resources comparable to statewide standards.
Vandalia and South Central Drive Enrollment
South Central CUD 401 is a major local provider with 629 students across three schools, while Brownstown CUSD 201 serves 414 students. Traditional public districts account for 100% of the county's educational landscape, as no charter schools currently operate in the area. Vandalia Elementary remains a central hub as the largest primary school with 542 students.
Intimate Rural Campuses Define the Region
Education here feels personal, with an average school size of just 241 students across nine rural and six town locales. The largest campus is Vandalia Elementary with 542 students, while the smallest schools offer highly individualized attention. This rural-leaning mix creates a tight-knit atmosphere where students are well-known by faculty.
Discover Rural Living with Accessible Schools
Fayette County offers a peaceful lifestyle paired with school districts that maintain state-level funding. Families searching for homes will find that the smaller school sizes provide a sense of security and community involvement. Secure a property near Vandalia or Brownstown to benefit from the area's stable educational network.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Fayette County
Total Enrollment
2,896
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Fayette County
Vandalia CUSD 203
South Central CUD 401
Brownstown CUSD 201
Ramsey CUSD 204
St Elmo CUSD 202
Bnd/Chrstn/Effngh/Fytt/Mntgmr ROE
15 Public Schools in Fayette County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandalia Elementary School | Vandalia CUSD 203 | PK–3 | Primary | 542 |
| Vandalia Junior High School | Vandalia CUSD 203 | 4–8 | Middle | 511 |
| Vandalia Community High School | Vandalia CUSD 203 | 9–12 | High | 408 |
| Brownstown Elem School | Brownstown CUSD 201 | PK–6 | Primary | 256 |
| St Elmo Elem School | St Elmo CUSD 202 | PK–6 | Primary | 217 |
| South Central High School | South Central CUD 401 | 9–12 | High | 206 |
| Ramsey High School | Ramsey CUSD 204 | 6–12 | High | 206 |
| Ramsey Elem School | Ramsey CUSD 204 | PK–5 | Primary | 205 |
| St Elmo Sr High School | St Elmo CUSD 202 | 9–12 | High | 131 |
| Brownstown High School | Brownstown CUSD 201 | 9–12 | High | 100 |
| Brownstown Jr High School | Brownstown CUSD 201 | 7–8 | Middle | 58 |
| St Elmo Jr High School | St Elmo CUSD 202 | 7–8 | Middle | 56 |
| New Approach Alternative H S | Bnd/Chrstn/Effngh/Fytt/Mntgmr ROE | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| FOCUS Safe Sch Program | Bnd/Chrstn/Effngh/Fytt/Mntgmr ROE | 6–9 | Alternative | 0 |
| Okaw Area Vocational Center | Bnd/Chrstn/Effngh/Fytt/Mntgmr ROE | 11–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,252
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Fayette County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Fayette County?
How much does Fayette County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Fayette County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Fayette County, Illinois?
Fayette County operates 15 public schools, including four elementary, four middle, and seven high schools. These facilities serve 2,896 students through a system of six active school districts. The infrastructure focuses heavily on secondary education, featuring more high school campuses than any other level.
How do schools in Fayette County perform academically?
The county invests $9,252 per pupil, nearly identical to the Illinois state average of $9,250. Although the 86% graduation rate sits slightly below the national 87% average, the county maintains a competitive school score of 56.3. This investment level shows a commitment to providing resources comparable to statewide standards.
What are the major school districts in Fayette County, Illinois?
South Central CUD 401 is a major local provider with 629 students across three schools, while Brownstown CUSD 201 serves 414 students. Traditional public districts account for 100% of the county's educational landscape, as no charter schools currently operate in the area. Vandalia Elementary remains a central hub as the largest primary school with 542 students.
What is the school experience like in Fayette County?
Education here feels personal, with an average school size of just 241 students across nine rural and six town locales. The largest campus is Vandalia Elementary with 542 students, while the smallest schools offer highly individualized attention. This rural-leaning mix creates a tight-knit atmosphere where students are well-known by faculty.
How can I find homes near good schools in Fayette County, Illinois?
Fayette County offers a peaceful lifestyle paired with school districts that maintain state-level funding. Families searching for homes will find that the smaller school sizes provide a sense of security and community involvement. Secure a property near Vandalia or Brownstown to benefit from the area's stable educational network.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.