Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
Best Public Schools in Wayne County (2026)

Best Wayne County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 2,421 students in Wayne County, IL (there are 1 private school, serving 56 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Wayne County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, IL are Mount Erie Elementary School, New Hope Elementary School and Wayne City Attendance Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wayne County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Wayne County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Wayne County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mount Erie Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
300 School Dr
Mount Erie, IL 62446
(618) 854-2611
Gr: K-4 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #22.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1804 County Road 445 N
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-3296
Gr: K-8 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Wayne City Attendance Center
(Math: 54% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
408 E Mill St
Wayne City, IL 62895
(618) 895-3103
Gr: PK-8 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #44.
Jasper Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2030 County Road 1020 N
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-3048
Gr: K-8 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Johnsonville Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
891 County Highway 16
Johnsonville, IL 62850
(618) 673-3044
Gr: PK-4 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #66.
Geff Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 E Lafayette St
Geff, IL 62842
(618) 516-8004
Gr: K-8 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Center Street Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 W Center St
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-2679
Gr: 4-8 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Fairfield Comm High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 W King St
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 847-9403
Gr: 9-12 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Cisne Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
206 Mulberry St
Cisne, IL 62823
(618) 673-2156
Gr: 5-8 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1010.
North Side Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
806 N 1st St
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-6501
Gr: PK-3 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Wayne City High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
408 E Mill St
Wayne City, IL 62895
(618) 895-3108
Gr: 9-12 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1212.
Cisne High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1456 Us Highway 45
Cisne, IL 62823
(618) 673-2154
Gr: 9-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, IL include Mount Erie Elementary School, New Hope Elementary School and Wayne City Attendance Center.
How many public schools are located in Wayne County?
12 public schools are located in Wayne County.
What percentage of students in Wayne County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Wayne County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wayne County?
Wayne County public schools minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wayne County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.