Ford County Schools & Education
Ford County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
65/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,551
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
65/100
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
#44
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Ford County
School Verdict
Ford County performs at an average level with a school score of 65/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.2%.
Funding Context
Ford County spends $10,551 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 Ford County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% above the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 14% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Ford County, Illinois
Streamlined Success Across Three Districts
Ford County maintains a focused educational system consisting of nine public schools serving 2,527 students. The landscape is perfectly balanced with three elementary, three middle, and three high schools. This structured approach ensures a clear pipeline for students as they progress through three local districts.
Top-Tier Scores and High Investment
Ford County excels with a school score of 60.2, surpassing the state average of 58.1. This performance is backed by a per-pupil expenditure of $10,551, which is over $1,300 higher than the Illinois state average. The graduation rate of 88.2% remains steady, outperforming the national average of 87%.
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Leads the County
Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 is the largest district, educating 1,296 students across four campuses. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5 also plays a major role, serving 968 students in three schools. All schools in the county are traditional public institutions, with zero charter schools present.
A Predominantly Town-Based School Culture
While the county is rural, six of the nine schools are located in town settings, providing a centralized community feel. The average school size is 316 students, ranging from Clara Peterson Elementary at 624 students to smaller secondary campuses. This creates a small-town atmosphere where the school often serves as the social heart of the community.
High-Performing Schools Await Your Family
With above-average school scores and high per-pupil spending, Ford County is an attractive choice for education-focused homebuyers. Neighborhoods in Paxton and Gibson City offer direct access to the county's most successful districts. Choosing a home here means investing in a system that consistently beats state academic benchmarks.
School Overview
Total Schools
9
in Ford County
Total Enrollment
2,527
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Ford County
Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5
Tri Point CUSD 6-J
9 Public Schools in Ford County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clara Peterson Elem School | Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 | PK–5 | Primary | 624 |
| GCMS Elementary School | Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5 | PK–5 | Primary | 469 |
| Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School | Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 | 9–12 | High | 403 |
| GCMS High School | Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5 | 9–12 | High | 291 |
| Paxton-Buckley-Loda Jr High Sch | Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 | 6–8 | Middle | 269 |
| GCMS Middle School | Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5 | 6–8 | Middle | 208 |
| Tri-Point Jr High/Elementary | Tri Point CUSD 6-J | 4–8 | Middle | 145 |
| Tri Point Elementary School | Tri Point CUSD 6-J | PK–3 | Primary | 118 |
| Panther Academy | Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,551
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Ford County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Ford County?
How much does Ford County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Ford County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Ford County, Illinois?
Ford County maintains a focused educational system consisting of nine public schools serving 2,527 students. The landscape is perfectly balanced with three elementary, three middle, and three high schools. This structured approach ensures a clear pipeline for students as they progress through three local districts.
How do schools in Ford County perform academically?
Ford County excels with a school score of 60.2, surpassing the state average of 58.1. This performance is backed by a per-pupil expenditure of $10,551, which is over $1,300 higher than the Illinois state average. The graduation rate of 88.2% remains steady, outperforming the national average of 87%.
What are the major school districts in Ford County, Illinois?
Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10 is the largest district, educating 1,296 students across four campuses. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5 also plays a major role, serving 968 students in three schools. All schools in the county are traditional public institutions, with zero charter schools present.
What is the school experience like in Ford County?
While the county is rural, six of the nine schools are located in town settings, providing a centralized community feel. The average school size is 316 students, ranging from Clara Peterson Elementary at 624 students to smaller secondary campuses. This creates a small-town atmosphere where the school often serves as the social heart of the community.
How can I find homes near good schools in Ford County, Illinois?
With above-average school scores and high per-pupil spending, Ford County is an attractive choice for education-focused homebuyers. Neighborhoods in Paxton and Gibson City offer direct access to the county's most successful districts. Choosing a home here means investing in a system that consistently beats state academic benchmarks.
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.