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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Champaign Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 10,154 students in Champaign, IL (there are 16 private schools, serving 2,761 private students). 78% of all K-12 students in Champaign, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Champaign, IL are Kenwood Elementary School, Central High School and Vernon L Barkstall Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Champaign, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Champaign have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Champaign, IL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kenwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1001 Stratford Dr
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3815
Gr: K-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #22.
Central High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
610 W University Ave
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3914
Gr: 9-12 | 1,666 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
Vernon L Barkstall Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2201 Hallbeck Dr
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 373-5580
Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Dr Howard Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
110 N. James
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3866
Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #55.
Bottenfield Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1801 S Prospect Ave
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3807
Gr: K-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #66.
Robeson Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2501 Southmoor Dr
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3884
Gr: K-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #77.
Centennial High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
913 Crescent Dr
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3954
Gr: 9-12 | 1,476 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #88.
International Prep Academy
(Math: 27% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1605 W Kirby Ave
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3995
Gr: PK-8 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #99.
South Side Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
715 S New St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3890
Gr: K-5 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Edison Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
306 W Green St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3771
Gr: 6-8 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Novak Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
815 N Randolph St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 352-4328
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
R E A D Y Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
45 E University Ave
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 239-0322
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #1313.
Franklin Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
817 N Harris Ave
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3819
Gr: 6-8 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1414.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1115 Crescent Dr
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3790
Gr: 6-8 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1515.
Westview Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
703 S Russell St
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3905
Gr: K-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1616.
Stratton Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
902 N Randolph St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 373-7330
Gr: K-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1717.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
606 E Grove St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3901
Gr: K-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Garden Hills Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 Garden Hills Dr
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3872
Gr: PK-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Actions Program
Alternative School
402 N Randolph St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3701
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Champaign Early Chldhd Center
809 N Neil St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 351-3881
Gr: PK | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
Education For Employment Sys 330
Vocational School
2400 W Bradley Ave # A113
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 355-1382
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Re-start Program
Alternative School
45 E University Ave
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 893-3219
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Champaign, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Champaign, IL include Kenwood Elementary School, Central High School and Vernon L Barkstall Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Champaign?
22 public schools are located in Champaign.
What percentage of students in Champaign go to public school?
78% of all K-12 students in Champaign are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Champaign?
Champaign public schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Champaign are often viewed compared to one another?

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