Jefferson County Schools & Education
Jefferson County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
60/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,642
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
60/100
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
#57
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jefferson County
School Verdict
Jefferson County performs at an average level with a school score of 60/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.6%.
Funding Context
Jefferson County spends $10,642 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 Jefferson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jefferson County, Illinois
A Network of Rural and Town Classrooms
Jefferson County manages a decentralized education system with 27 total public schools spread across 15 different districts. This infrastructure supports 5,435 students through 14 elementary schools, 7 high schools, and 2 middle schools. The presence of 15 districts for a modest student population reflects a highly localized approach to education.
Solid Performance with Efficient Spending
The county earns a school score of 59.6, slightly outpacing the Illinois state average of 58.1. While the graduation rate of 86.6% sits just below the national average of 87%, the county maintains efficiency with per-pupil spending at $10,642. This investment level is higher than the state average of $9,250 but remains below the national benchmark of $13,000.
Mount Vernon Leads the County Districts
Mount Vernon SD 80 stands as the primary provider in the area, serving 1,509 students across four schools. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county's 15 districts. Bluford Unit School District 318 also plays a key role, managing education for 377 students.
Quiet Campuses and Close-Knit Communities
Education here is primarily rural, with 17 schools in rural settings and 10 in town locales. The average school size is relatively small at 259 students, though Mount Vernon High School serves a much larger cohort of 1,210 students. At the smaller end, schools like Woodlawn Grade School offer a more intimate environment with just 315 students.
Invest in a Community That Values Education
Families looking for a localized, town-and-country school experience will find Jefferson County an appealing choice. As you explore homes in the area, consider how the proximity to high-performing schools like Rome Comm Cons Elem can impact your family's daily life and property value. Let local school quality guide your next real estate decision.
School Overview
Total Schools
27
in Jefferson County
Total Enrollment
5,435
students
School Districts
15
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
15 School Districts in Jefferson County
Mount Vernon SD 80
Mt Vernon Twp HSD 201
Woodlawn Unit School District 209
Bluford Unit School District 318
Rome CCSD 2
Waltonville CUSD 1
Summersville SD 79
Field CCSD 3
Spring Garden CCSD 178
Bethel SD 82
27 Public Schools in Jefferson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon High School | Mt Vernon Twp HSD 201 | 9–12 | High | 1,210 |
| Dr Nick Osborne Primary Center | Mount Vernon SD 80 | KG–3 | Primary | 600 |
| Zadok Casey Middle School | Mount Vernon SD 80 | 6–8 | Middle | 419 |
| Rome Comm Cons Elem School | Rome CCSD 2 | PK–8 | Primary | 330 |
| Woodlawn Grade School | Woodlawn Unit School District 209 | PK–8 | Primary | 315 |
| J L Buford Intermediate Ed Ctr | Mount Vernon SD 80 | 4–5 | Primary | 275 |
| Summersville Grade School | Summersville SD 79 | PK–8 | Primary | 275 |
| Bluford Grade School | Bluford Unit School District 318 | PK–8 | Primary | 249 |
| Field Elementary School | Field CCSD 3 | PK–8 | Primary | 235 |
| Waltonville Grade School | Waltonville CUSD 1 | PK–8 | Primary | 217 |
| Dr Andy Hall Early Educ Ctr | Mount Vernon SD 80 | PK | Other | 215 |
| Woodlawn High School | Woodlawn Unit School District 209 | 9–12 | High | 176 |
| Bethel Grade School | Bethel SD 82 | PK–8 | Primary | 160 |
| Opdyke-Belle Rive Grade Sch | Opdyke-Belle-Rive CCSD 5 | PK–8 | Primary | 145 |
| Spring Garden Elementary School | Spring Garden CCSD 178 | KG–4 | Primary | 138 |
| Webber High School | Bluford Unit School District 318 | 9–12 | High | 128 |
| Spring Garden Middle School | Spring Garden CCSD 178 | 5–8 | Middle | 86 |
| Waltonville High School | Waltonville CUSD 1 | 9–12 | High | 86 |
| Grand Prairie Elem School | Grand Prairie CCSD 6 | KG–8 | Primary | 70 |
| McClellan Elementary School | McClellan CCSD 12 | KG–8 | Primary | 54 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,642
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jefferson County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, Illinois?
Jefferson County manages a decentralized education system with 27 total public schools spread across 15 different districts. This infrastructure supports 5,435 students through 14 elementary schools, 7 high schools, and 2 middle schools. The presence of 15 districts for a modest student population reflects a highly localized approach to education.
How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?
The county earns a school score of 59.6, slightly outpacing the Illinois state average of 58.1. While the graduation rate of 86.6% sits just below the national average of 87%, the county maintains efficiency with per-pupil spending at $10,642. This investment level is higher than the state average of $9,250 but remains below the national benchmark of $13,000.
What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, Illinois?
Mount Vernon SD 80 stands as the primary provider in the area, serving 1,509 students across four schools. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county's 15 districts. Bluford Unit School District 318 also plays a key role, managing education for 377 students.
What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?
Education here is primarily rural, with 17 schools in rural settings and 10 in town locales. The average school size is relatively small at 259 students, though Mount Vernon High School serves a much larger cohort of 1,210 students. At the smaller end, schools like Woodlawn Grade School offer a more intimate environment with just 315 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, Illinois?
Families looking for a localized, town-and-country school experience will find Jefferson County an appealing choice. As you explore homes in the area, consider how the proximity to high-performing schools like Rome Comm Cons Elem can impact your family's daily life and property value. Let local school quality guide your next real estate decision.
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.