Putnam County Schools & Education
Putnam County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
63/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,001
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
63/100
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
#50
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Putnam County
School Verdict
Putnam County performs at an average level with a school score of 63/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.0%.
Funding Context
Putnam County spends $11,001 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 Putnam County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 0% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 19% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Putnam County, Illinois
A Unified and Efficient School System
Putnam County operates as a single unified district, Putnam County CUSD 535, which manages four schools. The system serves 807 students through a clear progression: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This structure provides a seamless transition for students throughout their entire academic career.
Solid Results Driven by High Investment
The county matches the national graduation rate of 87.0% and maintains a strong school score of 60.6, well above the state average of 58.1. Putnam County invests heavily in its students, spending $11,001 per pupil compared to the state average of $9,250. This proactive spending supports a high-quality learning environment despite falling just short of the state graduation average.
One District, Total Commitment
Putnam County CUSD 535 is the sole provider of public education in the county, ensuring 100% of students follow the same curriculum. There are no charter schools, which allows the community to focus all its resources on the unified district. This model creates a consistent and predictable path for every child in the county.
Rural Focus with Individualized Attention
All four schools are located in rural locales, providing a quiet and safe environment for learning. The average school size is 202 students, with Putnam County High School being the largest at 254 students. Smaller primary and junior high schools ensure that students receive plenty of one-on-one time with their teachers.
Predictable Excellence for Your Family
Buying a home in Putnam County means joining a community with a single, high-performing school district. The high per-pupil investment ensures your child will have access to quality resources in a safe, rural setting. Explore properties across the county to secure a place in this highly-rated unified school system.
School Overview
Total Schools
4
in Putnam County
Total Enrollment
807
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Putnam County
Putnam County CUSD 535
4 Public Schools in Putnam County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County High School | Putnam County CUSD 535 | 9–12 | High | 254 |
| Putnam Co Primary Sch | Putnam County CUSD 535 | PK–2 | Primary | 227 |
| Putnam County Elem School | Putnam County CUSD 535 | 3–5 | Primary | 164 |
| Putnam County Jr High School | Putnam County CUSD 535 | 6–8 | Middle | 162 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$11,001
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Putnam County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Putnam County?
How much does Putnam County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Putnam County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Putnam County, Illinois?
Putnam County operates as a single unified district, Putnam County CUSD 535, which manages four schools. The system serves 807 students through a clear progression: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This structure provides a seamless transition for students throughout their entire academic career.
How do schools in Putnam County perform academically?
The county matches the national graduation rate of 87.0% and maintains a strong school score of 60.6, well above the state average of 58.1. Putnam County invests heavily in its students, spending $11,001 per pupil compared to the state average of $9,250. This proactive spending supports a high-quality learning environment despite falling just short of the state graduation average.
What are the major school districts in Putnam County, Illinois?
Putnam County CUSD 535 is the sole provider of public education in the county, ensuring 100% of students follow the same curriculum. There are no charter schools, which allows the community to focus all its resources on the unified district. This model creates a consistent and predictable path for every child in the county.
What is the school experience like in Putnam County?
All four schools are located in rural locales, providing a quiet and safe environment for learning. The average school size is 202 students, with Putnam County High School being the largest at 254 students. Smaller primary and junior high schools ensure that students receive plenty of one-on-one time with their teachers.
How can I find homes near good schools in Putnam County, Illinois?
Buying a home in Putnam County means joining a community with a single, high-performing school district. The high per-pupil investment ensures your child will have access to quality resources in a safe, rural setting. Explore properties across the county to secure a place in this highly-rated unified school system.
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.