For the 2025 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 5,325 students in Jefferson County, IL (there are 5 private schools, serving 237 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Jefferson County, IL are Franklin-jefferson Sped-int-k-12, Oakland Education Center and Summersville Grade School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 21% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Franklin-jefferson Sped-int-k-12
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1118 Fairfield Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 439-7231
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 439-7231
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Oakland Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
320 S 7th St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-5720
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-5720
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: #33.
Summersville Grade School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1118 Fairfield Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8079
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8079
Grades: PK-8
| 264 students
Rank: #44.
Farrington Elementary School
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
20941 E Divide Rd
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 755-4414
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 755-4414
Grades: PK-8
| 53 students
Rank: #55.
Mcclellan Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9475 N Il Highway 148
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8072
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8072
Grades: K-8
| 45 students
Rank: #66.
Spring Garden Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
14975 E Bakerville Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8070
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8070
Grades: K-4
| 131 students
Rank: #77.
Woodlawn Grade School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 S Central St
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2661
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2661
Grades: PK-8
| 321 students
Rank: #88.
Waltonville High School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
804 W Knob St
Waltonville, IL 62894
(618) 279-7211
Waltonville, IL 62894
(618) 279-7211
Grades: 9-12
| 99 students
Rank: #99.
Bethel Grade School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1201 Bethel Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8095
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8095
Grades: PK-8
| 145 students
Rank: #1010.
Opdyke-belle Rive Grade School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
19830 E Fourth St
Opdyke, IL 62872
(618) 756-2492
Opdyke, IL 62872
(618) 756-2492
Grades: PK-8
| 138 students
Rank: #1111.
Bluford Grade School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
901 6th St
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-8242
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-8242
Grades: PK-8
| 239 students
Rank: #1212.
Waltonville Grade School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
802 W Knob St
Waltonville, IL 62894
(618) 279-7221
Waltonville, IL 62894
(618) 279-7221
Grades: PK-8
| 202 students
Rank: #1313.
Webber High School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 6th St
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-6121
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-6121
Grades: 9-12
| 129 students
Rank: #1414.
Rome Comm Cons Elementary School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
233 W South St
Dix, IL 62830
(618) 266-7214
Dix, IL 62830
(618) 266-7214
Grades: PK-8
| 321 students
Rank: #1515.
Woodlawn High School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 N Central St
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2631
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2631
Grades: 9-12
| 176 students
Rank: #1616.
Field Elementary School
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
21075 N Hails Ln
Texico, IL 62889
(618) 755-4611
Texico, IL 62889
(618) 755-4611
Grades: PK-8
| 245 students
Rank: #1717.
Mount Vernon High School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
11101 N Wells Bypass Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 246-1750
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 246-1750
Grades: 9-12
| 1,240 students
Rank: #1818.
Spring Garden Middle School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
511 S Elm St
Ina, IL 62846
(618) 437-5361
Ina, IL 62846
(618) 437-5361
Grades: 5-8
| 86 students
Rank: #1919.
J L Buford Intermediate Educational Center
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
623 S 34th St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8064
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8064
Grades: 4-5
| 280 students
Rank: #2020.
Zadok Casey Middle School
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1829 Broadway St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8060
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8060
Grades: 6-8
| 392 students
Rank: #2121.
Dr Nick Osborne Primary Center
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
401 N 30th St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8068
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8068
Grades: K-3
| 567 students
Rank: n/an/a
Clnton/mrn/wshngtn Pre-kind Prog
Alternative School
1710 Broadway St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8040
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8040
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
301 S 17th St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8087
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8087
Grades: PK
| 252 students
Rank: n/an/a
Mt Vernon Alternative School
Alternative School
2300 Benton Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 316-7071
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 316-7071
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mt Vernon Area Career Center
Vocational School
11101 N Wells Bypass Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-3700
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-3700
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Safe School Program
Alternative School
2300 Benton Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 316-7071
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 316-7071
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Jefferson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
601 South Gum St
Belle Rive, IL 62810
(618) 756-2486
Belle Rive, IL 62810
(618) 756-2486
Grades: PK-4
| 105 students
Big Muddy River Correctional Center (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
251 North Illinois Hwy 37
Ina, IL 62846
(618) 437-5300
Ina, IL 62846
(618) 437-5300
Grades: 12
| n/a students
901 6th St
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-8242
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-8242
Grades: PK-8
| 284 students
14975 E Bakerville Rd
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8070
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8070
Grades: K-8
| 133 students
511 S Elm St
Ina, IL 62846
(618) 437-5361
Ina, IL 62846
(618) 437-5361
Grades: PK-8
| 105 students
Mt Vernon Area Vocational Center (Closed 2013)
Vocational School
320 South 7th St
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 246-5602
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 246-5602
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Sesr Hamiltonjefferson Cty (Closed 2006)
Vocational School
320 S 7th Street
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-3700
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-3700
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
310 S Elm St
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-6121
Bluford, IL 62814
(618) 732-6121
Grades: 9-12
| 131 students
300 N Central St
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2631
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2631
Grades: 9-12
| 158 students
301 S Central St
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2661
Woodlawn, IL 62898
(618) 735-2661
Grades: PK-8
| 356 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Jefferson County, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Jefferson County, IL include Franklin-jefferson Sped-int-k-12, Oakland Education Center and Summersville Grade School.
How many public schools are located in Jefferson County?
26 public schools are located in Jefferson County.
What percentage of students in Jefferson County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Jefferson County include: Zadok Casey Middle School vs. Rome Comm Cons Elementary School, Mcclellan Elementary School vs. Opdyke-belle Rive Grade School, Bethel Grade School vs. Summersville Grade School
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.