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 Ford County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Ford County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,491 students in Ford County, IL (there are 1 private school, serving 16 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Ford County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Ford County, IL are Gcms Middle School, Gcms Elementary School and Paxton-buckley-loda Jr High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Ford County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Ford County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Ford County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gcms Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
316 E 19th St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-8731
Gr: 6-8 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
Gcms Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
902 N Church St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-4278
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Paxton-buckley-loda Jr High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
700 Panther Way
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-9202
Gr: 6-8 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #44.
Tri Point Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
101 Main St
Kempton, IL 60946
(815) 253-6299
Gr: PK-3 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Gcms High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
815 N Church St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-4292
Gr: 9-12 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Tri-point Jr High/elementary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
519 S Margaret Ave
Piper City, IL 60959
(815) 686-2247
Gr: 4-8 | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Clara Peterson Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
580 E Franklin St
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-2531
Gr: PK-5 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Paxton-buckley-loda High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Panther Way
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-4331
Gr: 9-12 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
Panther Academy
Alternative School
430 S High St
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-3314
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Ford County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Ford County, IL include Gcms Middle School, Gcms Elementary School and Paxton-buckley-loda Jr High School.
How many public schools are located in Ford County?
9 public schools are located in Ford County.
What percentage of students in Ford County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Ford County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Ford County?
Ford County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (IL):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links: