Marion County Schools & Education
Marion County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
43/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
82.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,386
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
43/100
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
#95
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Marion County
School Verdict
Marion County has average school quality (score: 43/100) with a graduation rate of 82.3%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Marion County spends $8,386 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 Marion County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 32% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Marion County, Illinois
Local Education Across 27 Public Schools
Marion County operates 27 public schools serving a total enrollment of 5,779 students. The infrastructure is spread across 14 districts and includes 11 elementary, 5 middle, and 7 high schools.
Investing in the Next Generation of Graduates
The county graduation rate stands at 82.3%, trailing the Illinois state average of 88.8%. Local districts spend $8,386 per pupil, which is below the national average of $13,000 but earns a composite school score of 52.5.
Centralia and Salem Drive Local Enrollment
Centralia SD 135 is a major provider with 1,089 students across four schools, while Salem SD 111 manages key middle and primary centers. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter schools in operation.
An Intimate, Small-Town Academic Environment
Education here has a personal feel, as 15 schools are located in towns and 12 in rural areas. Schools average just 263 students, with Centralia High School being the largest at 863 students.
Find Your Home in a Close-Knit District
Marion County offers a community-focused education ideal for families seeking smaller class sizes and town-based living. Explore residential options near Centralia and Salem to be close to the county's largest academic hubs.
School Overview
Total Schools
27
in Marion County
Total Enrollment
5,779
students
School Districts
14
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
14 School Districts in Marion County
Centralia SD 135
Salem SD 111
Centralia HSD 200
Salem CHSD 600
Sandoval CUSD 501
Central City SD 133
Odin PSD 722
Selmaville CCSD 10
Patoka CUSD 100
Iuka CCSD 7
27 Public Schools in Marion County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia High School | Centralia HSD 200 | 9–12 | High | 863 |
| Salem Community High School | Salem CHSD 600 | 9–12 | High | 732 |
| Centralia Jr High School | Centralia SD 135 | 4–8 | Middle | 604 |
| Franklin Park Middle School | Salem SD 111 | 4–8 | Middle | 529 |
| Hawthorn Elem School | Salem SD 111 | KG–3 | Primary | 399 |
| Central City Elem School | Central City SD 133 | PK–8 | Primary | 323 |
| South Central Elementary-Kinmundy | South Central CUD 401 | PK–5 | Primary | 279 |
| Selmaville Elem School | Selmaville CCSD 10 | PK–8 | Primary | 239 |
| Iuka Comm Cons School | Iuka CCSD 7 | PK–8 | Primary | 231 |
| Raccoon Cons Elem School | Raccoon Cons SD 1 | PK–8 | Primary | 225 |
| Jordan Elem School | Centralia SD 135 | 2–3 | Primary | 221 |
| Sandoval Elem School | Sandoval CUSD 501 | PK–6 | Primary | 203 |
| Odin Attendance Center K-8 | Odin PSD 722 | PK–8 | Primary | 178 |
| South Central Middle School | South Central CUD 401 | 6–8 | Middle | 144 |
| Sandoval Sr High School | Sandoval CUSD 501 | 9–12 | High | 119 |
| Patoka Elem School | Patoka CUSD 100 | PK–5 | Primary | 114 |
| Sandoval Jr High School | Sandoval CUSD 501 | 6–8 | Middle | 98 |
| Kell Grade School | Kell Cons SD 2 | PK–8 | Primary | 83 |
| Odin Attendance Center 9-12 | Odin PSD 722 | 9–12 | High | 74 |
| Patoka Sr High School | Patoka CUSD 100 | 9–12 | High | 71 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,386
State avg $9,250
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Marion County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Marion County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Marion County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Marion County?
How much does Marion County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Marion County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Marion County, Illinois?
Marion County operates 27 public schools serving a total enrollment of 5,779 students. The infrastructure is spread across 14 districts and includes 11 elementary, 5 middle, and 7 high schools.
How do schools in Marion County perform academically?
The county graduation rate stands at 82.3%, trailing the Illinois state average of 88.8%. Local districts spend $8,386 per pupil, which is below the national average of $13,000 but earns a composite school score of 52.5.
What are the major school districts in Marion County, Illinois?
Centralia SD 135 is a major provider with 1,089 students across four schools, while Salem SD 111 manages key middle and primary centers. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter schools in operation.
What is the school experience like in Marion County?
Education here has a personal feel, as 15 schools are located in towns and 12 in rural areas. Schools average just 263 students, with Centralia High School being the largest at 863 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Marion County, Illinois?
Marion County offers a community-focused education ideal for families seeking smaller class sizes and town-based living. Explore residential options near Centralia and Salem to be close to the county's largest academic hubs.
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.