For the 2025-26 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,451 students in Mercer County School District 404. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
Public Schools in Mercer County School District 404 have an average math proficiency score of 13% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
6 Schools
4,394 Schools
# Students
1,451 Students
1,845,459 Students
# Teachers
123 Teachers
136,638 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mercer County School District 404, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#597 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
50%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.16
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
2%
28%
% Black
2%
17%
% White
92%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,073 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,423. The school district revenue/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,169 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$22 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$21 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,073
$22,423
Spending / Student
$14,169
$21,662
Best Mercer County School District 404 Public Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mercer County Jr High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 Sw 6th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 584-4174
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 584-4174
Gr: 6-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Mercer County Intermediate School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 Sw 6th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2441
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2441
Gr: 5-6 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Mercer County High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 S College Ave
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2223
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2223
Gr: 9-12 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
New Boston Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 Jefferson St
New Boston, IL 61272
(309) 587-8141
New Boston, IL 61272
(309) 587-8141
Gr: K-5 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Apollo Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
801 Sw 9th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Gr: K-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
203 N Washington St
Joy, IL 61260
(309) 584-5001
Joy, IL 61260
(309) 584-5001
Gr: PK | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Mercer County School District 404?
Mercer County School District 404 manages 6 public schools serving 1,451 students.
What is the rank of Mercer County School District 404?
Mercer County School District 404 is ranked #616 out of 864 school districts in Illinois (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Mercer County School District 404?
92% of Mercer County School District 404 students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Mercer County School District 404?
Mercer County School District 404 has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What is Mercer County School District 404's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,169 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
Recent Articles

Bullying, Name-Calling & Put-Downs: Parent Guide 2025
Practical tips for parents to address bullying, name-calling, and put-downs—with 2025 data, policies, and expert strategies.

What Is a Magnet School? (2025 Guide)
Explore what a magnet school is, how it works, and its benefits in 2025. Clear explanation for parents, students, and educators.

Cooperative Learning in 2025: Evidence, Best Practices & Challenges
Explore cooperative learning in 2025—new data, updated practices, expert insights for educators and families.