Monroe County Schools & Education
Monroe County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
66/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
92.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,825
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
66/100
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
#43
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Monroe County
School Verdict
Monroe County performs at an average level with a school score of 66/100 and a solid graduation rate of 92.3%.
Funding Context
At $7,825 per pupil, Monroe County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Monroe County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% above the Illinois average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Monroe County, Illinois
A Growing Suburban School Network
Monroe County hosts 14 public schools serving 5,113 students through 4 distinct districts. The infrastructure is well-balanced with six elementary, three middle, and five high schools, including one alternative education site.
High Performance on a Lean Budget
The county achieves an impressive 92.3% graduation rate despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $7,825. This efficiency demonstrates strong community results compared to the state average spending of $9,250.
Waterloo and Columbia Districts Lead
Waterloo CUSD 5 is the largest provider with 2,768 students, while Columbia CUSD 4 serves 1,990 students. All 14 schools are traditional public institutions, as there are no charter schools currently operating in the county.
A Mix of Suburb and Town Life
The county offers a diverse locale mix of six rural, four suburb, and four town settings. Waterloo High School is the largest facility with 895 students, reflecting the area's larger average school size of 426 compared to neighboring rural counties.
Invest in a High-Achieving Community
Monroe County’s high graduation rates and diverse school settings make it a magnet for families. Focus your home search in the Waterloo or Columbia districts to secure a spot in these sought-after public schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
14
in Monroe County
Total Enrollment
5,113
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Monroe County
Waterloo CUSD 5
Columbia CUSD 4
Valmeyer CUSD 3
Monroe/Randolph ROE
14 Public Schools in Monroe County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo High School | Waterloo CUSD 5 | 9–12 | High | 895 |
| Columbia High School | Columbia CUSD 4 | 9–12 | High | 635 |
| Waterloo Junior High School | Waterloo CUSD 5 | 6–8 | Middle | 619 |
| Columbia Middle School | Columbia CUSD 4 | 5–8 | Middle | 608 |
| W J Zahnow Elem School | Waterloo CUSD 5 | PK–1 | Primary | 488 |
| Parkview Elementary School | Columbia CUSD 4 | 2–4 | Primary | 432 |
| Gardner Elementary School | Waterloo CUSD 5 | 4–5 | Primary | 399 |
| Rogers Elem School | Waterloo CUSD 5 | 2–3 | Primary | 367 |
| Eagleview Elementary School | Columbia CUSD 4 | PK–1 | Primary | 315 |
| Valmeyer Elementary School | Valmeyer CUSD 3 | PK–5 | Primary | 151 |
| Valmeyer High School | Valmeyer CUSD 3 | 9–12 | High | 118 |
| Valmeyer Jr High | Valmeyer CUSD 3 | 6–8 | Middle | 86 |
| CCSI Alternative School | Monroe/Randolph ROE | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| Career Center of Southern IL | Monroe/Randolph ROE | 10–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,825
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Monroe County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Monroe County?
How much does Monroe County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Monroe County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Monroe County, Illinois?
Monroe County hosts 14 public schools serving 5,113 students through 4 distinct districts. The infrastructure is well-balanced with six elementary, three middle, and five high schools, including one alternative education site.
How do schools in Monroe County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 92.3% graduation rate despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $7,825. This efficiency demonstrates strong community results compared to the state average spending of $9,250.
What are the major school districts in Monroe County, Illinois?
Waterloo CUSD 5 is the largest provider with 2,768 students, while Columbia CUSD 4 serves 1,990 students. All 14 schools are traditional public institutions, as there are no charter schools currently operating in the county.
What is the school experience like in Monroe County?
The county offers a diverse locale mix of six rural, four suburb, and four town settings. Waterloo High School is the largest facility with 895 students, reflecting the area's larger average school size of 426 compared to neighboring rural counties.
How can I find homes near good schools in Monroe County, Illinois?
Monroe County’s high graduation rates and diverse school settings make it a magnet for families. Focus your home search in the Waterloo or Columbia districts to secure a spot in these sought-after public schools.
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.