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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Urbana Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 4,516 students in Urbana, IL (there are 5 private schools, serving 212 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Urbana, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Urbana, IL are University Of Illinois High School, Leal Elementary School and Urbana High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Urbana, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 18% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Urbana have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Urbana, IL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
University Of Illinois High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1212 W Springfield Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2870
Gr: 7-12 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 80:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #22.
Leal Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
312 W Oregon St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3618
Gr: K-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #33.
Urbana High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1002 S Race St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3505
Gr: 9-12 | 1,176 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Thomas Paine Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1801 James Cherry Dr
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 384-3602
Gr: K-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #55.
Urbana Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1201 S Vine St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3685
Gr: 6-8 | 877 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #66.
M L King Jr Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1108 Fairview Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3675
Gr: K-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #77.
Dr Preston L Williams Jr Elementary School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2102 E Washington St
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 384-3628
Gr: K-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Champaign Co Detention Center
Alternative School
400 Art Bartell Rd
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 384-3780
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Juvenile Detention Center
Alternative School
400 Art Bartell Rd
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 384-3780
Gr: 6-11
Rank: n/an/a
Urbana Early Childhood Center
2202 E Washington St
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 384-3616
Gr: PK | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
Urbana Gerber School
Alternative School
1301 N Cunnigham Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-4064
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Yankee Ridge Multilingual School
2102 S Anderson St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3608
Gr: K-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 83%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Urbana, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Urbana, IL include University Of Illinois High School, Leal Elementary School and Urbana High School.
How many public schools are located in Urbana?
12 public schools are located in Urbana.
What percentage of students in Urbana go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Urbana are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Urbana?
Urbana public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Urbana are often viewed compared to one another?

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