McDonough County Schools & Education
McDonough County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
65/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,144
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
#46
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: McDonough County
School Verdict
McDonough County performs at an average level with a school score of 65/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.4%.
Funding Context
McDonough County spends $10,144 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 McDonough County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% above the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 10% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in McDonough County, Illinois
A Comprehensive System for Over 3,300 Students
McDonough County features 18 public schools across three districts, serving a total of 3,301 students. The landscape includes four elementary, four middle, and six high schools, plus several specialized facilities.
Academic Excellence and Above-Average Funding
The county achieves an 88.4% graduation rate, beating the national average of 87.0%. High spending of $10,144 per pupil contributes to an impressive composite school score of 59.5, surpassing the state average.
Macomb CUSD 185 Leads Local Education
Macomb CUSD 185 is the county's largest district, enrolling 2,036 students across five individual schools. West Prairie and Bushnell-Prairie City also provide vital services, and there are zero charter schools in the county.
Town-Centered Schools with Diverse Options
Thirteen schools are located in town settings, providing a central hub for student activity. While schools average 275 students, Macomb Senior High School offers a larger campus experience with 622 students.
Settle Near Award-Winning Town Schools
With strong academic scores and graduation rates, McDonough County is a top choice for education-focused buyers. Focus your home search in Macomb to be within walking distance of the county's premier high school and elementary campuses.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in McDonough County
Total Enrollment
3,301
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 McDonough County
Macomb CUSD 185
Bushnell Prairie City CUSD 170
West Prairie CUSD 103
18 Public Schools in McDonough County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macomb Senior High School | Macomb CUSD 185 | 9–12 | High | 622 |
| Lincoln Elem School | Macomb CUSD 185 | KG–3 | Primary | 548 |
| Edison Elementary School | Macomb CUSD 185 | 4–6 | Middle | 432 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch | Bushnell Prairie City CUSD 170 | PK–5 | Primary | 322 |
| Macomb Junior High School | Macomb CUSD 185 | 7–8 | Middle | 308 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City High Sch | Bushnell Prairie City CUSD 170 | 9–12 | High | 195 |
| West Prairie South Elementary Sch | West Prairie CUSD 103 | PK–6 | Primary | 177 |
| West Prairie North Elementary Sch | West Prairie CUSD 103 | PK–6 | Primary | 174 |
| West Prairie Senior High School | West Prairie CUSD 103 | 9–12 | High | 162 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch | Bushnell Prairie City CUSD 170 | 6–8 | Middle | 136 |
| MacArthur Early Childhood Center | Macomb CUSD 185 | PK | Other | 126 |
| West Prairie Junior High School | West Prairie CUSD 103 | 7–8 | Middle | 99 |
| ROYALS Academy Macomb | Hancck/Fultn/Schuylr/McDonogh ROE | 6–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| ROYALS RSSP Macomb | Hancck/Fultn/Schuylr/McDonogh ROE | 6–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| Western Area Career System 265 | Hancck/Fultn/Schuylr/McDonogh ROE | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
| Project Insight | West Central IL Spec Educ Coop | — | Special Education | — |
| WCISEC HS ED | West Central IL Spec Educ Coop | — | Special Education | — |
| WCISEC MD | West Central IL Spec Educ Coop | — | Special Education | — |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,144
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in McDonough County rate?
What is the graduation rate in McDonough County?
How much does McDonough County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in McDonough County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in McDonough County, Illinois?
McDonough County features 18 public schools across three districts, serving a total of 3,301 students. The landscape includes four elementary, four middle, and six high schools, plus several specialized facilities.
How do schools in McDonough County perform academically?
The county achieves an 88.4% graduation rate, beating the national average of 87.0%. High spending of $10,144 per pupil contributes to an impressive composite school score of 59.5, surpassing the state average.
What are the major school districts in McDonough County, Illinois?
Macomb CUSD 185 is the county's largest district, enrolling 2,036 students across five individual schools. West Prairie and Bushnell-Prairie City also provide vital services, and there are zero charter schools in the county.
What is the school experience like in McDonough County?
Thirteen schools are located in town settings, providing a central hub for student activity. While schools average 275 students, Macomb Senior High School offers a larger campus experience with 622 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in McDonough County, Illinois?
With strong academic scores and graduation rates, McDonough County is a top choice for education-focused buyers. Focus your home search in Macomb to be within walking distance of the county's premier high school and elementary campuses.
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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.