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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Boone County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,981 students in Boone County, IL (there are 2 private schools, serving 275 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Boone County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Boone County, IL are Poplar Grove Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School and Seth Whitman Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Boone County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 19% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Boone County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Boone County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Poplar Grove Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
208 N State St
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-3113
Gr: K-4 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #22.
Manchester Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3501 Blaine Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-2826
Gr: K-4 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Seth Whitman Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8989 Beloit Rd
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-3357
Gr: K-5 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Caledonia Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2311 Randolph St
Caledonia, IL 61011
(815) 547-1977
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Everest High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1320 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #66.
Belvidere North High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
9393 Beloit Rd
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2636
Gr: 9-12 | 1,354 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Capron Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 N Wooster St
Capron, IL 61012
(815) 569-2314
Gr: PK-4 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #88.
North Boone Upper Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6200 N Boone School Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-9006
Gr: 5-6 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
Belvidere Central Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8787 Beloit Rd
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-0190
Gr: 6-8 | 911 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
North Boone Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
17641 Poplar Grove Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-9274
Gr: 7-8 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1111.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1011 Bonus Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2671
Gr: PK-5 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1212.
Perry Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
633 W Perry St
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-9274
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1313.
North Boone High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
17823 Poplar Grove Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-3311
Gr: 9-12 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1414.
Meehan Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1401 E 6th St
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-3546
Gr: PK-5 | 688 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1515.
Belvidere South Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
919 E 6th St
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-4175
Gr: 6-8 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1616.
Belvidere High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-6345
Gr: 9-12 | 1,167 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1717.
Washington Academy
(Math: 6% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1031 5th Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-3124
Gr: PK-5 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Boone County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Boone County, IL include Poplar Grove Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School and Seth Whitman Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Boone County?
17 public schools are located in Boone County.
What percentage of students in Boone County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Boone County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Boone County?
Boone County public schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Boone County are often viewed compared to one another?

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