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 Lee County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lee County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 3,838 students in Lee County, IL (there are 4 private schools, serving 540 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Lee County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lee County, IL are Amboy Central Elementary School, Steward Elementary School and Madison School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Lee County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Lee County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Amboy Central Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
30 E Provost St
Amboy, IL 61310
(815) 857-3619
Gr: PK-4 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Steward Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
602 Main St
Steward, IL 60553
(815) 396-2413
Gr: K-8 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Madison School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
618 Division St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 934-9662
Gr: 4-5 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #44.
Ashton-franklin Center Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
217 S Elm St
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
(815) 456-2325
Gr: PK-6 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Amboy Jr High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
240 N Metcalf Ave
Amboy, IL 61310
(815) 857-3528
Gr: 5-8 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Paw Paw Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
511 Chapman St
Paw Paw, IL 61353
(815) 627-2841
Gr: K-5 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Reagan Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
620 Division St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 253-4966
Gr: 6-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Paw Paw Junior High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
511 Chapman St
Paw Paw, IL 61353
(815) 627-2841
Gr: 6-8 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Ashton-franklin Center High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
611 Western Ave
Ashton, IL 61006
(815) 453-7461
Gr: 7-12 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Dixon High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Lincoln Statue Dr
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 453-4966
Gr: 9-12 | 760 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1111.
Amboy High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
11 E Hawley St
Amboy, IL 61310
(815) 857-3632
Gr: 9-12 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1212.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
800 4th Ave
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 934-9661
Gr: 2-3 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: n/an/a
Lee Cty Sped-ece
Special Education School
703 E Morgan St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-6651
Rank: n/an/a
Lee Cty Sped-life Skills (2-5 Gra
Special Education School
620 Division St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-6651
Rank: n/an/a
Lee Cty Sped-life Skills (6-8 Gra
Special Education School
620 Division St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-6651
Rank: n/an/a
Lee Cty Sped-life Skills (9-12 Gr
Special Education School
300 Lincoln Statue Dr
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-6651
Rank: n/an/a
Lee Cty Sped-transitions
Special Education School
300 Lincoln Statue Dr
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-6651
Rank: n/an/a
Tj Dempsey Therapeutic Day School
Alternative School
1261 Rt 38
Nachusa, IL 61057
(815) 373-4966
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Washington Elementary School
703 E Morgan St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 934-9660
Gr: PK-1 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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:

Most Popular Articles

15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
 Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?

More Articles

About Public Schools
Evaluating Public Schools
Teaching
Local School Topics
Parenting and Learning Issues