For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,023 students in Douglas County, IL (there are , serving 473 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Douglas County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Douglas County, IL are Arthur Grade School, North Ward Elementary School and Villa Grove Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Douglas 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 29% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Douglas County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Douglas County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Arthur Grade School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
126 E Lincoln St
Arthur, IL 61911
(217) 543-2109
Arthur, IL 61911
(217) 543-2109
Gr: PK-8 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
North Ward Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1201 N Prairie St
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2712
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2712
Gr: PK-4 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Villa Grove Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 N Sycamore St
Villa Grove, IL 61956
(217) 832-2261
Villa Grove, IL 61956
(217) 832-2261
Gr: PK-6 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
East Prairie Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
409 S Prairie St
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2828
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2828
Gr: 5-8 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Arthur-lovington-atwood-hammond
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
301 E Columbia St
Arthur, IL 61911
(217) 543-2146
Arthur, IL 61911
(217) 543-2146
Gr: 9-12 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Tuscola High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 S Prairie St
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2377
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2377
Gr: 9-12 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Atwood-hammond Grade School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
316 N Illinois St
Atwood, IL 61913
(217) 578-2229
Atwood, IL 61913
(217) 578-2229
Gr: PK-8 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
Villa Grove Jr High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 N Sycamore St
Villa Grove, IL 61956
(217) 832-2261
Villa Grove, IL 61956
(217) 832-2261
Gr: 7-8 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
Arcola High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
351 W Washington St
Arcola, IL 61910
(217) 268-4962
Arcola, IL 61910
(217) 268-4962
Gr: 7-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1010.
Arcola Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
351 W Washington St
Arcola, IL 61910
(217) 268-4961
Arcola, IL 61910
(217) 268-4961
Gr: PK-6 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1111.
Villa Grove High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 N Sycamore St
Villa Grove, IL 61956
(217) 832-2321
Villa Grove, IL 61956
(217) 832-2321
Gr: 9-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Douglas County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
301 E Columbia St
Arthur, IL 61911
(217) 543-2146
Arthur, IL 61911
(217) 543-2146
Gr: 7-8 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
222 W Magnolia St
Atwood, IL 61913
(217) 578-2226
Atwood, IL 61913
(217) 578-2226
Gr: 9-12 | 117 students Minority enrollment: 5%
316 North Illinois
Atwood, IL 61913
(217) 578-2220
Atwood, IL 61913
(217) 578-2220
Gr: PK-8 | 297 students Minority enrollment: 3%
H E L P Arcola (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
211 1/2 S Jacques St
Arcola, IL 61910
(217) 268-3855
Arcola, IL 61910
(217) 268-3855
Gr: PK
207 S Coffin St
Newman, IL 61942
(217) 837-2475
Newman, IL 61942
(217) 837-2475
Gr: PK-1 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Douglas County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Douglas County, IL include Arthur Grade School, North Ward Elementary School and Villa Grove Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Douglas County?
11 public schools are located in Douglas County.
What percentage of students in Douglas County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Douglas County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Douglas County?
Douglas County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Douglas County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Douglas County include: Villa Grove Jr High School vs. Villa Grove Elementary School, Villa Grove High School vs. Tuscola High School, Arthur-lovington-atwood-hammond vs. Arthur Grade School
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
