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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Jackson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 32 public schools serving 6,875 students in Jackson County, IL (there are 7 private schools, serving 500 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Jackson County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, IL are Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Elverado Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Jackson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Giant City Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1062 Boskydell Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Unity Point Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4033 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Gr: PK-8 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Elverado Junior High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
190 Harrison St
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Gr: 6-8 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Carbondale Comm High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1301 E Walnut St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-3371
Gr: 9-12 | 1,023 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Elverado Intermediate School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
190 Harrison St
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Gr: 3-5 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Elverado High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
514 S 6th St
Elkville, IL 62932
(618) 568-1104
Gr: 9-12 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Trico Senior High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
16533 Highway 4
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Gr: 9-12 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #88.
Trico Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
16343 Highway 4
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Desoto Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
311 Hurst Rd
De Soto, IL 62924
(618) 867-2317
Gr: PK-8 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1010.
Carruthers Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
80 Candy Ln
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-3231
Gr: 3-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
Gen John A Logan Attendance Center
(Math: 23% | Reading: 20% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
320 Watson Rd
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-4471
Gr: K-2 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Murphysboro High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Blackwood Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-2336
Gr: 9-12 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Trico Jr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
16533 Highway 4
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Gr: 6-8 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1414.
Lewis School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
801 S Lewis Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Gr: 4-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1515.
Thomas Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1025 N Wall St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-6226
Gr: 2-3 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1616.
Carbondale Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1150 E Grand Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Gr: 6-8 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1717.
Murphysboro Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2125 Spruce St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3041
Gr: 6-8 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1818.
Tri-county Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1725 Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-2109
Rank: n/an/a
Cope Alternative School
Alternative School
1725b Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Elverado Primary School
114 S 8th St
Elkville, IL 62932
(618) 568-1321
Gr: PK-2 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: n/an/a
Eurma C Hayes Center
Special Education School
441 E Willow St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 684-2109
Rank: n/an/a
Five County Regional Alternative
Alternative School
101 Spero Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Jackson/perry Middle School Taoep
Alternative School
1725b Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
Mcelvain School
593 Ava Rd
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3781
Gr: PK | 64 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Parrish Elementary School
121 N Parrish Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5781
Gr: PK-1 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse Aspire Academy
Special Education School
805 N 16th St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-2109
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse Carruthers Elementary School
Special Education School
80 Candy Ln
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-3231
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-carbondale High School
Special Education School
330 S Giant City Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-4722
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-desoto Elementary School
Special Education School
311 Hurst Rd
De Soto, IL 62924
(618) 867-2317
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-mcelvain Ec
Special Education School
593 Ava Rd
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3781
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-murphysboro High School
Special Education School
50 Blackwood Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-2336
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-unity Point Elementary School
Special Education School
4033 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, IL include Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Elverado Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Jackson County?
33 public schools are located in Jackson County.
What percentage of students in Jackson County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Jackson County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Jackson County are often viewed compared to one another?

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