For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public elementary schools serving 4,856 students in Jackson County, IL.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Jackson County, IL are Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Elverado Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, IL public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average). Elementary schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Jackson County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Giant City Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1062 Boskydell Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Unity Point Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4033 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Gr: PK-8 | 660 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Elverado Junior High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
190 Harrison St
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Gr: 6-8 | 69 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Elverado Intermediate School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
190 Harrison St
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Gr: 3-5 | 73 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Trico Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
16343 Highway 4
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Gr: PK-5 | 466 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
Desoto Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
311 Hurst Rd
De Soto, IL 62924
(618) 867-2317
De Soto, IL 62924
(618) 867-2317
Gr: PK-8 | 192 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Carruthers Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
80 Candy Ln
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-3231
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-3231
Gr: 3-5 | 420 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #88.
Gen John A Logan Attendance Center
(Math: 23% | Reading: 20% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
320 Watson Rd
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-4471
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-4471
Gr: K-2 | 394 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #99.
Trico Jr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16533 Highway 4
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Gr: 6-8 | 183 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1010.
Lewis School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 S Lewis Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Gr: 4-5 | 309 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1111.
Thomas Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1025 N Wall St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-6226
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-6226
Gr: 2-3 | 366 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1212.
Carbondale Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1150 E Grand Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Gr: 6-8 | 468 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1313.
Murphysboro Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2125 Spruce St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3041
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3041
Gr: 6-8 | 432 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
Cope Alternative School
Alternative School
1725b Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
114 S 8th St
Elkville, IL 62932
(618) 568-1321
Elkville, IL 62932
(618) 568-1321
Gr: PK-2 | 107 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
Five County Regional Alternative
Alternative School
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Jackson/perry Middle School Taoep
Alternative School
1725b Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
121 N Parrish Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5781
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5781
Gr: PK-1 | 475 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse Aspire Academy
Special Education School
805 N 16th St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-2109
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-2109
Gr: K-12
Jackson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Iyc Murphysboro High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
636 Elza Brantley Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8500
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8500
Gr: 7-12
593 Ava Road
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-6273
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-6273
Gr: K-5 | 161 students Minority enrollment: 15%
504 2nd St
Grand Tower, IL 62942
(618) 565-2211
Grand Tower, IL 62942
(618) 565-2211
Gr: K-4 | 56 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Tri-county-mcelvain (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
593 Ava Rd
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8972
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8972
Gr: K-12
801 S Lewis Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Gr: 4-5 | 272 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Jackson County, IL?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Jackson County, IL include Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Elverado Junior High School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Jackson County?
19 public elementary schools are located in Jackson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Jackson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Jackson County include: Unity Point Elementary School vs. Giant City Elementary School, Giant City Elementary School vs. Unity Point Elementary School, Carbondale Middle School vs. Giant City Elementary School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
