Saline County Schools & Education
Saline County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
56/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
87.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,727
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
56/100
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
#71
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Saline County
School Verdict
Saline County performs at an average level with a school score of 56/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.6%.
Funding Context
Saline County spends $8,727 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 Saline County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Saline County, Illinois
Small-Town Schools with Focused Enrollment
Saline County operates 15 public schools serving a total student population of 3,724. These schools are distributed across four districts and include five elementary, three middle, and five high school facilities. This compact infrastructure serves the community through a mix of town-based and rural campuses.
Steady Performance in Southern Illinois
With an 87.6% graduation rate, Saline County outperforms the national average of 87.0% but trails the Illinois state average of 88.8%. Local districts spend $8,727 per pupil, which is approximately $523 less than the state average and $4,273 less than the national median. The county maintains a composite school score of 56.0.
Harrisburg and Eldorado Lead the Way
Harrisburg CUSD 3 is the largest district, managing five schools and 1,771 students. Eldorado CUSD 4 also maintains a significant presence with 1,077 students across three schools. No charter schools currently operate in Saline County, keeping all 3,724 students within traditional public districts.
A Close-Knit Educational Experience
Schools in Saline County are notably intimate, with an average enrollment of just 248 students per campus. Eldorado Elem School is the largest in the county with 545 students, followed closely by Harrisburg High School with 544. The mix of nine town schools and six rural locations creates a neighborly, small-town atmosphere.
Find Your Home in Saline Schools
Homebuyers in Saline County often prioritize the small-school environment and the high degree of community involvement in districts like Harrisburg. These schools offer a personalized touch that larger urban districts cannot match. Start your search in areas where the school is the heart of the community.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Saline County
Total Enrollment
3,724
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 Saline County
Harrisburg CUSD 3
Eldorado CUSD 4
Carrier Mills-Stonefort CUSD 2
Galatia CUSD 1
15 Public Schools in Saline County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eldorado Elem School | Eldorado CUSD 4 | PK–5 | Primary | 545 |
| Harrisburg High School | Harrisburg CUSD 3 | 9–12 | High | 544 |
| West Side Primary School | Harrisburg CUSD 3 | KG–2 | Primary | 424 |
| East Side Intermediate School | Harrisburg CUSD 3 | 3–5 | Primary | 359 |
| Harrisburg Middle School | Harrisburg CUSD 3 | 6–8 | Middle | 331 |
| Carrier Mills-Stonefort Elem Sch | Carrier Mills-Stonefort CUSD 2 | PK–8 | Primary | 330 |
| Eldorado High School | Eldorado CUSD 4 | 9–12 | High | 301 |
| Eldorado Middle School | Eldorado CUSD 4 | 6–8 | Middle | 231 |
| Galatia Elem School | Galatia CUSD 1 | KG–5 | Primary | 170 |
| Carrier Mills-Stonefort H S | Carrier Mills-Stonefort CUSD 2 | 9–12 | High | 117 |
| Bulldog Early Learning Academy | Harrisburg CUSD 3 | PK | Other | 113 |
| Galatia High School | Galatia CUSD 1 | 9–12 | High | 108 |
| Galatia Jr High | Galatia CUSD 1 | 6–8 | Middle | 89 |
| School District 428 IYC-HRB | IDJJ Sch Dist 428 | 7–12 | Alternative | 39 |
| Galatia Grade School Annex | Galatia CUSD 1 | PK | Other | 23 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,727
State avg $9,250
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Saline County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Saline County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Saline County?
How much does Saline County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Saline County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Saline County, Illinois?
Saline County operates 15 public schools serving a total student population of 3,724. These schools are distributed across four districts and include five elementary, three middle, and five high school facilities. This compact infrastructure serves the community through a mix of town-based and rural campuses.
How do schools in Saline County perform academically?
With an 87.6% graduation rate, Saline County outperforms the national average of 87.0% but trails the Illinois state average of 88.8%. Local districts spend $8,727 per pupil, which is approximately $523 less than the state average and $4,273 less than the national median. The county maintains a composite school score of 56.0.
What are the major school districts in Saline County, Illinois?
Harrisburg CUSD 3 is the largest district, managing five schools and 1,771 students. Eldorado CUSD 4 also maintains a significant presence with 1,077 students across three schools. No charter schools currently operate in Saline County, keeping all 3,724 students within traditional public districts.
What is the school experience like in Saline County?
Schools in Saline County are notably intimate, with an average enrollment of just 248 students per campus. Eldorado Elem School is the largest in the county with 545 students, followed closely by Harrisburg High School with 544. The mix of nine town schools and six rural locations creates a neighborly, small-town atmosphere.
How can I find homes near good schools in Saline County, Illinois?
Homebuyers in Saline County often prioritize the small-school environment and the high degree of community involvement in districts like Harrisburg. These schools offer a personalized touch that larger urban districts cannot match. Start your search in areas where the school is the heart of the community.
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.