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 Wayne County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Wayne County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 2,421 students in Wayne County, IL (there are 1 private school, serving 56 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Wayne County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, IL are Mount Erie Elementary School, New Hope Elementary School and Wayne City Attendance Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wayne County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Wayne County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Wayne County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mount Erie Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
300 School Dr
Mount Erie, IL 62446
(618) 854-2611
Gr: K-4 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #22.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1804 County Road 445 N
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-3296
Gr: K-8 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Wayne City Attendance Center
(Math: 54% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
408 E Mill St
Wayne City, IL 62895
(618) 895-3103
Gr: PK-8 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #44.
Jasper Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2030 County Road 1020 N
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-3048
Gr: K-8 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Johnsonville Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
891 County Highway 16
Johnsonville, IL 62850
(618) 673-3044
Gr: PK-4 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #66.
Geff Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 E Lafayette St
Geff, IL 62842
(618) 516-8004
Gr: K-8 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Center Street Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 W Center St
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-2679
Gr: 4-8 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Fairfield Comm High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 W King St
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 847-9403
Gr: 9-12 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Cisne Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
206 Mulberry St
Cisne, IL 62823
(618) 673-2156
Gr: 5-8 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1010.
North Side Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
806 N 1st St
Fairfield, IL 62837
(618) 842-6501
Gr: PK-3 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Wayne City High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
408 E Mill St
Wayne City, IL 62895
(618) 895-3108
Gr: 9-12 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1212.
Cisne High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1456 Us Highway 45
Cisne, IL 62823
(618) 673-2154
Gr: 9-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, IL include Mount Erie Elementary School, New Hope Elementary School and Wayne City Attendance Center.
How many public schools are located in Wayne County?
12 public schools are located in Wayne County.
What percentage of students in Wayne County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Wayne County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wayne County?
Wayne County public schools minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wayne 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

What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Illinois Top-Ranked Public Schools
Illinois Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights

More Articles

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