Lee County Schools & Education
Lee County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
51/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
82.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,731
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
51/100
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
#81
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Lee County
School Verdict
Lee County has average school quality (score: 51/100) with a graduation rate of 82.8%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Lee County spends $9,731 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 Lee County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 20% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Lee County, Illinois
A Localized Network for Diverse Learners
Lee County provides 18 public schools for 3,860 students, managed by 6 local districts. The landscape includes 7 elementary schools and 3 high schools, alongside 5 specialized facilities dedicated to special education.
Healthy Spending Above State Averages
Lee County invests $9,731 per student, exceeding the Illinois average of $9,250. While the graduation rate of 82.8% lags behind the national target of 87%, the county achieves a solid school score of 55.6.
Dixon Schools Lead the County's Enrollment
Dixon USD 170 is the dominant district, serving 2,486 students across five different campuses. There are currently no charter schools in the county, leaving education in the hands of established public districts like Amboy CUSD 272.
Small Schools with a Rural Focus
Attending school here feels personal, with an average enrollment of just 297 students per campus. Most students attend schools in town settings, like Dixon High with 805 students, while eight schools remain purely rural.
Discover the Benefits of Town-Based Learning
Lee County offers a blend of town centers and rural peace, backed by school spending that beats the state average. It is an ideal location for families who value specialized education and smaller, manageable class sizes.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in Lee County
Total Enrollment
3,860
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 Lee County
Dixon USD 170
Amboy CUSD 272
Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD 275
Paw Paw CUSD 271
Steward ESD 220
Lee County Spec Educ Assoc
18 Public Schools in Lee County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon High School | Dixon USD 170 | 9–12 | High | 805 |
| Reagan Middle School | Dixon USD 170 | 6–8 | Middle | 551 |
| Washington Elem School | Dixon USD 170 | PK–1 | Primary | 444 |
| Madison School | Dixon USD 170 | 4–5 | Primary | 376 |
| Jefferson Elem School | Dixon USD 170 | 2–3 | Primary | 310 |
| Amboy Central Elem School | Amboy CUSD 272 | PK–4 | Primary | 285 |
| Ashton-Franklin Center Elem Sch | Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD 275 | PK–6 | Primary | 256 |
| Amboy High School | Amboy CUSD 272 | 9–12 | High | 220 |
| Ashton-Franklin Center HS | Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD 275 | 7–12 | High | 219 |
| Amboy Jr High School | Amboy CUSD 272 | 5–8 | Middle | 210 |
| Paw Paw Elem School | Paw Paw CUSD 271 | KG–5 | Primary | 80 |
| Steward Elementary School | Steward ESD 220 | KG–8 | Primary | 70 |
| Paw Paw Junior High School | Paw Paw CUSD 271 | 6–8 | Middle | 34 |
| Lee Cty SpEd-ECE | Lee County Spec Educ Assoc | — | Special Education | — |
| Lee Cty SpEd-Life Skills (2-5 Gra | Lee County Spec Educ Assoc | — | Special Education | — |
| Lee Cty SpEd-Life Skills (9-12 Gr | Lee County Spec Educ Assoc | — | Special Education | — |
| Lee Cty SpEd-Transitions | Lee County Spec Educ Assoc | — | Special Education | — |
| Lee Cty SpEd-Life Skills (6-8 Gra | Lee County Spec Educ Assoc | — | Special Education | — |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,731
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Lee County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Lee County?
How much does Lee County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Lee County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Lee County, Illinois?
Lee County provides 18 public schools for 3,860 students, managed by 6 local districts. The landscape includes 7 elementary schools and 3 high schools, alongside 5 specialized facilities dedicated to special education.
How do schools in Lee County perform academically?
Lee County invests $9,731 per student, exceeding the Illinois average of $9,250. While the graduation rate of 82.8% lags behind the national target of 87%, the county achieves a solid school score of 55.6.
What are the major school districts in Lee County, Illinois?
Dixon USD 170 is the dominant district, serving 2,486 students across five different campuses. There are currently no charter schools in the county, leaving education in the hands of established public districts like Amboy CUSD 272.
What is the school experience like in Lee County?
Attending school here feels personal, with an average enrollment of just 297 students per campus. Most students attend schools in town settings, like Dixon High with 805 students, while eight schools remain purely rural.
How can I find homes near good schools in Lee County, Illinois?
Lee County offers a blend of town centers and rural peace, backed by school spending that beats the state average. It is an ideal location for families who value specialized education and smaller, manageable class sizes.
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.