For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 1,759 students in Shelby County, IL.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Shelby County, IL are Cowden-herrick Grade School, Main Street Elementary School and Moulton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, IL public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 30% statewide average). Elementary schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Illinois public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Shelby County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cowden-herrick Grade School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 N Broadway St
Herrick, IL 62431
(618) 428-5223
Herrick, IL 62431
(618) 428-5223
Gr: K-5 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #22.
Main Street Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
225 W Main St
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-4731
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-4731
Gr: 1-3 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1101 W North 6th St
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-2169
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-2169
Gr: 4-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
633 County Highway 22
Cowden, IL 62422
(217) 783-2125
Cowden, IL 62422
(217) 783-2125
Gr: 6-12 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #55.
Stewardson-strasburg Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2806 E 600 North Rd
Strasburg, IL 62465
(217) 682-3621
Strasburg, IL 62465
(217) 682-3621
Gr: PK-8 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Windsor Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
808 Wisconsin Ave
Windsor, IL 61957
(217) 459-2447
Windsor, IL 61957
(217) 459-2447
Gr: PK-6 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Okaw Valley Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
501 W Division St
Findlay, IL 62534
(217) 756-8521
Findlay, IL 62534
(217) 756-8521
Gr: 5-8 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: n/an/a
Shelbyville Bridges
Alternative School
201 E North 12th St
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-1037
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-1037
Gr: 6-12
Shelby County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Rr 128
Cowden, IL 62422
(217) 783-2125
Cowden, IL 62422
(217) 783-2125
Gr: PK-6 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
H E L P Shelbyville Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
205 W Main
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-3191
Shelbyville, IL 62565
(217) 774-3191
Gr: PK | 28 students Minority enrollment: 4%
249 Benton Street
Tower Hill, IL 62571
(217) 567-3121
Tower Hill, IL 62571
(217) 567-3121
Gr: 5-6 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
123 Co Rd 100 E
Sigel, IL 62462
(217) 844-3331
Sigel, IL 62462
(217) 844-3331
Gr: K-2 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
206 North Main St
Findlay, IL 62534
(217) 756-8522
Findlay, IL 62534
(217) 756-8522
Gr: 4-5 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Po Box 157
Tower Hill, IL 62571
(217) 567-3121
Tower Hill, IL 62571
(217) 567-3121
Gr: 5-6 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Shelby County, IL?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Shelby County, IL include Cowden-herrick Grade School, Main Street Elementary School and Moulton Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Shelby County?
8 public elementary schools are located in Shelby County.
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Shelby County include: Cowden-herrick Grade School vs. Main Street Elementary School, Stewardson-strasburg Elementary School vs. Windsor Elementary School, Main Street Elementary School vs. Cowden-herrick Grade School
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.