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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Stephenson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 5,940 students in Stephenson County, IL (there are 5 private schools, serving 766 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Stephenson County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Stephenson County, IL are Lena-winslow Jr High School, Lena-winslow High School and Pearl City Jr High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stephenson 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 28% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Stephenson County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Stephenson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lena-winslow Jr High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
517 Fremont St
Lena, IL 61048
(815) 369-2525
Gr: 6-8 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Lena-winslow High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
516 Fremont St
Lena, IL 61048
(815) 369-2525
Gr: 9-12 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Pearl City Jr High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
100 S Summit St
Pearl City, IL 61062
(815) 443-2715
Gr: 7-8 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Dakota Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Campus Dr
Dakota, IL 61018
(844) 632-5682
Gr: PK-6 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Dakota Jr Sr High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 Campus Dr
Dakota, IL 61018
(844) 632-5682
Gr: 7-12 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Center Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
718 E Illinois St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0480
Gr: PK-4 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
Lena-winslow Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
401 Fremont St
Lena, IL 61048
(815) 369-2525
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Pearl City Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
100 S Summit St
Pearl City, IL 61062
(815) 443-2715
Gr: PK-6 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #99.
Orangeville Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 S Orange St
Orangeville, IL 61060
(815) 789-4613
Gr: PK-5 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1010.
Pearl City High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 S Summit St
Pearl City, IL 61062
(815) 443-2715
Gr: 9-12 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Orangeville Jr High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 S Orange St
Orangeville, IL 61060
(815) 789-4289
Gr: 6-8 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1212.
Orangeville High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 S Orange St
Orangeville, IL 61060
(815) 789-4289
Gr: 9-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1313.
Jones-farrar Intl Baccalaureate
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1386 Kiwanis Dr
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0610
Gr: K-6 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1414.
Blackhawk Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1401 S Blackhawk Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0490
Gr: PK-4 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Carl Sandburg Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1717 W Eby St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0340
Gr: 5-6 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Freeport High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
701 W Moseley St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,165 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1717.
Freeport Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
701 W Empire St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0500
Gr: 7-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Empire Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1325 Empire St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0380
Gr: PK-4 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Lincoln-douglas Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 W Laurel St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0370
Gr: PK-4 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: n/an/a
Career & Tech Educ Consortium
Vocational School
2037 W Galena Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0709
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Freeport Alternative High School
Alternative School
1330 S Locust Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 233-0796
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Rap Freeport
Alternative School
27 S State Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 599-1408
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Stephenson County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Stephenson County, IL include Lena-winslow Jr High School, Lena-winslow High School and Pearl City Jr High School.
How many public schools are located in Stephenson County?
22 public schools are located in Stephenson County.
What percentage of students in Stephenson County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Stephenson County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Stephenson County?
Stephenson County public schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Stephenson County are often viewed compared to one another?

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