For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public elementary schools serving 5,719 students in Whiteside County, IL.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Whiteside County, IL are Southside School, Plt Middle School and Erie Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Whiteside County, IL public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average). Elementary schools in Whiteside County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Whiteside County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southside School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Academic Dr
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2183
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2183
Gr: 3-5 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Plt Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
38 Ferry St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Gr: 6-8 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Erie Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
518 7th Ave
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Gr: PK-4 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Rock Falls Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 12th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Gr: 6-8 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Erie Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 5th Ave
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Gr: 5-8 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Prophetstown Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 W 3rd St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-2345
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-2345
Gr: PK-3 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Montmorency Ccsd #145
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9415 Hoover Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Gr: K-8 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #88.
Fulton Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1301 7th Ave
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2900
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2900
Gr: K-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
415 12th St
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2611
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2611
Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Tampico Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
304 W Kimball Rd
Tampico, IL 61283
(815) 438-2255
Tampico, IL 61283
(815) 438-2255
Gr: PK-5 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
815 W Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Gr: 3-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1212.
Morrison Jr High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 Academic Dr
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-7264
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-7264
Gr: 6-8 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1313.
East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1602 Dixon Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Gr: PK-8 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1414.
Regional Center For Change Alop
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #1515.
Merrill Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 4th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4634
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4634
Gr: 3-5 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1616.
Challand Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 726 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1717.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1501 E 6th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449
Gr: 3-5 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1818.
Thome Educational School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-1026
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-1026
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
1901 8th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-3356
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-3356
Gr: K-2 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
1510 E 25th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755
Gr: PK-2 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
806 E Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Gr: PK-2 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
520 N Genesee St
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2153
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2153
Gr: PK-2 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
Regional Center For Change
Alternative School
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Roe 47 Student Support Alop
Alternative School
2214 E 4th St Ste B
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1495
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1495
Gr: 4-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Whiteside County, IL?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Whiteside County, IL include Southside School, Plt Middle School and Erie Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Whiteside County?
23 public elementary schools are located in Whiteside County.
What is the racial composition of students in Whiteside County?
Whiteside County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Whiteside County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Whiteside County include: Washington Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Rock Falls Middle School vs. Challand Middle School, Montmorency Ccsd #145 vs. East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School
Recent Articles
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
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
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
