Mercer County School District 404

203 N Washington St
Joy, IL 61260-7788
(District boundaries shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 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
4,391 Schools
# Students
1,451 Students
1,844,930 Students
# Teachers
123 Teachers
136,596 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.
This School District
State Average (IL)
#597 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
13%
27%
27%
30%
53%
50%
82%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

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 $22,430. The school district revenue/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,169 is less than the state median of $21,668. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
This School District
This State (IL)
Total Revenue
$22 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$21 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,073
$22,430
Spending / Student
$14,169
$21,668

Best Mercer County School District 404 Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mercer County Jr High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1002 Sw 6th St
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:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1002 Sw 6th St
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:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 S College Ave
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Jefferson St
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
801 Sw 9th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Gr: K-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
Mercer County Elc
203 N Washington St
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 $21,668. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.

Recent Articles

Zero Tolerance Policies in Public Schools Today
Zero Tolerance Policies in Public Schools Today
An updated look at zero tolerance policies in public schools, including current trends, costs, legal concerns, and what parents need to know now.
The Pros and Cons of Tracking in Schools Today
The Pros and Cons of Tracking in Schools Today
Explore the advantages and drawbacks of academic tracking in today’s public schools, including equity, outcomes, and what parents should consider.
Budgeting Hidden Costs of Public Schooling in 2026
Budgeting Hidden Costs of Public Schooling in 2026
Learn how families budget for school lunch, after-school care, and activities, the hidden costs of public schooling in 2026.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,451 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 8%
  • : 82% (Top 50% in IL)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 13% (Btm 50%)
  • : 27% (Btm 50%)
  • : 53% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Quick Links