Sterling Community Unit School District 5

Item: Sterling Community Unit School District 5
Rating: 3
Author: Public School Review

410 E Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081-1391

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (815) 626-5050

www.sterlingpublicschools.org

Top Rankings

Sterling Community Unit School District 5 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:

Overview

This School District

This State (IL)

# Schools

6 Schools

4,394 Schools

# Students

3,228 Students

1,845,459 Students

# Teachers

203 Teachers

136,638 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

16:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
Pre-K	174	83
Kind	215	125
1	227	131
2	219	137
3	217	135
4	223	135
5	239	135
6	234	137
7	236	141
8	246	143
9	257	155
10	254	156
11	246	153
12	241	150

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District Rank

Sterling Community Unit School District 5, 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 92% has increased from 83% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (IL)

#620 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5
2023	#620
2022	#605
2021	#547
2019	#605
2018	#633
2017	#570
2016	#565
2015	#435
2014	#518
2013	#484
2012	#440

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21%

27%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	21%	27%
2021	18%	28%
2019	21%	33%
2018	20%	32%
2017	21%	32%
2016	22%	31%
2015	23%	29%
2014	51%	59%
2013	55%	58%
2012	83%	80%
2011	82%	80%

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18%

30%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2022	18%	30%
2021	22%	32%
2019	32%	38%
2018	20%	37%
2017	34%	38%
2016	27%	36%
2015	35%	38%
2014	58%	57%
2013	61%	58%
2012	81%	75%
2011	78%	75%

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50%

92%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	92%	87%
2022	88%	87%
2018	87%	87%
2017	87%	87%
2016	89%	85%
2015	83%	85%
2014	81%	86%
2013	75%	83%
2012	81%	82%
2011	84%	83%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.58

0.69

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	0.57	0.70
2022	0.57	0.68
2021	0.57	0.68
2020	0.57	0.68
2019	0.57	0.68
2018	0.55	0.67
2017	0.55	0.67
2016	0.55	0.67
2015	0.54	0.67
2014	0.54	0.66
2013	0.55	0.66
2012	0.54	0.65
2011	0.53	0.66
2010	0.46	0.64
2009	0.47	0.64
2008	0.46	0.64
2007	0.45	0.63
2006	0.46	0.61
2005	0.44	0.61
2004	0.44	0.60
2003	0.43	0.59
2002	0.42	0.59
2001	0.41	0.58
2000	0.41	0.57
1999	0.39	0.56
1998	0.39	0.56
1997	0.37	0.54
1996	0.35	0.53
1995	0.34	0.53
1994	0.33	0.52
1993	0.32	0.52
1992	0.32	0.52
1991	0.13	0.52

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2023)
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	2%	6%
2022	1%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	1%	5%
2019	1%	5%
2009	3%	5%
2008	3%	5%
2007	3%	5%
2006	3%	5%
2005	3%	5%
2004	1%	4%
2003	1%	4%
2002	2%	4%
2001	2%	4%
2000	2%	3%
1999	1%	3%
1998	1%	3%
1997	2%	3%
1996	1%	3%
1995	1%	3%
1994	2%	3%

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% Hispanic

36%

28%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	35%	27%
2022	35%	27%
2021	35%	27%
2020	36%	26%
2019	36%	26%
2018	38%	26%
2017	38%	26%
2016	36%	26%
2015	35%	25%
2014	32%	25%
2013	35%	24%
2012	34%	24%
2011	34%	23%
2010	25%	22%
2009	24%	22%
2008	25%	21%
2007	24%	20%
2006	24%	19%
2005	23%	18%
2004	23%	18%
2003	22%	17%
2002	21%	16%
2001	21%	15%
2000	20%	15%
1999	19%	14%
1998	19%	13%
1997	18%	13%
1996	17%	12%
1995	16%	12%
1994	16%	11%
1993	15%	11%
1992	15%	10%
1991	4%	10%

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% Black

17%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	2%	17%
2022	2%	17%
2021	2%	17%
2020	3%	17%
2019	3%	17%
2018	3%	17%
2017	3%	17%
2016	3%	17%
2015	3%	17%
2014	4%	17%
2013	3%	18%
2012	3%	18%
2011	3%	18%
2010	6%	20%
2009	7%	20%
2008	6%	20%
2007	6%	20%
2006	5%	20%
2005	5%	20%
2004	5%	21%
2003	5%	21%
2002	4%	21%
2001	3%	21%
2000	4%	21%
1999	4%	21%
1998	4%	21%
1997	3%	20%
1996	3%	21%
1995	3%	20%
1994	2%	21%
1993	3%	21%
1992	2%	21%
1991	2%	21%

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% White

55%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	55%	45%
2022	55%	47%
2021	56%	47%
2020	56%	48%
2019	56%	48%
2018	56%	49%
2017	56%	49%
2016	57%	49%
2015	59%	49%
2014	60%	50%
2013	58%	50%
2012	60%	51%
2011	60%	51%
2010	65%	53%
2009	65%	53%
2008	66%	54%
2007	67%	55%
2006	68%	56%
2005	69%	57%
2004	71%	57%
2003	72%	58%
2002	73%	59%
2001	74%	60%
2000	74%	61%
1999	76%	62%
1998	76%	63%
1997	77%	64%
1996	79%	64%
1995	80%	65%
1994	80%	65%
1993	81%	65%
1992	81%	66%
1991	93%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	6%	4%
2022	7%	4%
2021	6%	4%
2020	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%
2018	3%	3%
2017	3%	3%
2016	4%	3%
2015	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	4%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,720 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 $16,299 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (IL)

Total Revenue

$57 MM

$41,381 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	$57 MM	$15 MM
2022	$51 MM	$14 MM
2021	$57 MM	$15 MM
2020	$51 MM	$14 MM
2019	$48 MM	$14 MM
2018	$47 MM	$15 MM
2017	$40 MM	$13 MM
2016	$38 MM	$12 MM
2015	$34 MM	$10 MM
2014	$37 MM	$12 MM
2012	$37 MM	$11 MM
2011	$39 MM	$11 MM
2010	$34 MM	$10 MM
2009	$36 MM	$10 MM
2008	$35 MM	$9 MM
2007	$32 MM	$9 MM
2006	$29 MM	$8 MM
2005	$29 MM	$8 MM
2004	$27 MM	$8 MM
2003	$28 MM	$7 MM
2002	$27 MM	$8 MM
2001	$26 MM	$7 MM
2000	$27 MM	$7 MM
1999	$28 MM	$7 MM
1998	$23 MM	$6 MM
1997	$23 MM	$5 MM
1996	$21 MM	$5 MM
1995	$20 MM	$5 MM

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Spending

$53 MM

$39,976 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	$53 MM	$14 MM
2022	$52 MM	$14 MM
2021	$53 MM	$14 MM
2020	$52 MM	$14 MM
2019	$51 MM	$13 MM
2018	$54 MM	$14 MM
2017	$40 MM	$12 MM
2016	$35 MM	$12 MM
2015	$36 MM	$11 MM
2014	$37 MM	$12 MM
2012	$38 MM	$11 MM
2011	$37 MM	$11 MM
2010	$36 MM	$11 MM
2009	$34 MM	$10 MM
2008	$32 MM	$9 MM
2007	$31 MM	$9 MM
2006	$28 MM	$8 MM
2005	$28 MM	$8 MM
2004	$27 MM	$8 MM
2003	$30 MM	$8 MM
2002	$31 MM	$8 MM
2001	$29 MM	$7 MM
2000	$29 MM	$7 MM
1999	$29 MM	$6 MM
1998	$23 MM	$6 MM
1997	$23 MM	$5 MM
1996	$20 MM	$5 MM
1995	$21 MM	$5 MM

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Revenue / Student

$17,720

$22,423

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	$17,525	$17,333
2022	$15,553	$19,707
2021	$17,530	$17,764
2020	$15,553	$19,707
2019	$14,311	$17,662
2018	$13,882	$19,255
2017	$12,063	$17,801
2016	$11,271	$14,596
2015	$9,849	$11,118
2014	$10,672	$13,203
2012	$10,685	$11,701
2011	$10,868	$11,859
2010	$9,297	$11,118
2009	$10,036	$10,546
2008	$10,080	$11,298
2007	$9,641	$10,143
2006	$8,030	$9,054
2005	$8,328	$9,158
2004	$7,653	$8,999
2003	$7,569	$8,614
2002	$7,292	$8,976
2001	$6,848	$8,649
2000	$7,300	$8,451
1999	$7,338	$7,697
1998	$5,242	$5,971
1997	$5,141	$5,662
1995	$5,120	$5,677
1992	$3,949	$4,514

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Spending / Student

$16,299

$21,662

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Sterling Community Unit School District 5	Illinois
2023	$16,119	$16,251
2022	$15,804	$19,097
2021	$16,124	$16,655
2020	$15,804	$19,097
2019	$15,135	$17,005
2018	$15,905	$18,215
2017	$11,940	$17,235
2016	$10,427	$14,516
2015	$10,618	$11,218
2014	$10,890	$12,904
2012	$11,134	$11,755
2011	$10,513	$11,220
2010	$10,023	$11,218
2009	$9,569	$10,416
2008	$9,228	$10,971
2007	$9,153	$9,827
2006	$7,780	$8,997
2005	$8,003	$9,234
2004	$7,582	$9,089
2003	$8,128	$9,395
2002	$8,334	$9,305
2001	$7,800	$8,562
2000	$7,715	$8,142
1999	$7,691	$7,325
1998	$5,220	$5,848
1997	$5,273	$5,503
1995	$5,182	$5,507
1992	$4,161	$4,672

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Best Sterling Community Unit School District 5 Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Washington Elementary School

(Math: 27% | Reading: 20%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

815 W Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372

Gr: 3-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Rank: #22.

Challand Middle School

(Math: 21% | Reading: 19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300

Gr: 6-8 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%

Rank: #33.

Sterling High School

(Math: 19% | Reading: 17%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1608 4th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800

Gr: 9-12 | 996 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%

Rank: #44.

Lincoln Elementary School

(Math: 18% | Reading: 17%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1501 E 6th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449

Gr: 3-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

Rank: n/an/a

Franklin Elementary School

Add to Compare

1510 E 25th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755

Gr: PK-2 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

Rank: n/an/a

Jefferson Elementary School

Add to Compare

806 E Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402

Gr: PK-2 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Sterling Community Unit School District 5?

Sterling Community Unit School District 5 manages 6 public schools serving 3,228 students.

What is the rank of Sterling Community Unit School District 5?

Sterling Community Unit School District 5 is ranked #595 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. This district ranks in the top 20% of Illinois school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Sterling Community Unit School District 5?

55% of Sterling Community Unit School District 5 students are White, 36% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Sterling Community Unit School District 5?

Sterling Community Unit School District 5 has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 14:1.

What is Sterling Community Unit School District 5's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $16,299 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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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 3,228 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 46%
: 92% (Top 20% in IL)
: Bottom 50%
: 21% (Btm 50%)
: 18% (Btm 50%)
: 50% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education