For the 2025-26 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,722 students in Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Illinois.
Public Schools in Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), 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
1,722 Students
1,845,459 Students
# Teachers
145 Teachers
136,638 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8, which is ranked within the top 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
#394 out of 865 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
50%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.27
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
9%
28%
% Black
1%
17%
% White
85%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,472 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,423. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,648 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$35 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,472
$22,423
Spending / Student
$17,648
$21,662
Best Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 Public Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Prairie Central Primary West
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 S Division St
Chenoa, IL 61726
(815) 945-2971
Chenoa, IL 61726
(815) 945-2971
Gr: PK-1 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Prairie Central Upper Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
312 N Center St
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 657-8238
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 657-8238
Gr: 5-6 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Central Jr High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
800 N Wood St
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 657-8660
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 657-8660
Gr: 7-8 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Prairie Central Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 S 1st St
Fairbury, IL 61739
(815) 692-2623
Fairbury, IL 61739
(815) 692-2623
Gr: 2-4 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Prairie Central High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
411 N 7th St
Fairbury, IL 61739
(815) 692-2355
Fairbury, IL 61739
(815) 692-2355
Gr: 9-12 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Prairie Central Primary East
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
407 S 4th St
Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3555
Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3555
Gr: PK-1 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8?
Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 manages 6 public schools serving 1,722 students.
What is the rank of Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8?
Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 is ranked #401 out of 864 school districts in Illinois (top 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 Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8?
85% of Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 students are White, 9% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8?
Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What is Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $17,648 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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