For the 2025-26 school year, there are 23 public elementary schools serving 5,719 students in Whiteside County, IL.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Whiteside County, IL are Southside School, Plt Middle School and Erie Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Whiteside County, IL public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average). Elementary schools in Whiteside County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Whiteside County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southside School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Academic Dr
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2183
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2183
Gr: 3-5 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Plt Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
38 Ferry St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Gr: 6-8 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Erie Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
605 6th Ave
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Gr: PK-4 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Rock Falls Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 12th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Gr: 6-8 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Erie Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 5th Ave
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Gr: 5-8 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Prophetstown Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 W 3rd St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-2345
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-2345
Gr: PK-3 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #77.
Montmorency Ccsd #145
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9415 Hoover Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Gr: K-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #88.
Fulton Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1301 7th Ave
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2900
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2900
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
415 12th St
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2611
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2611
Gr: 6-8 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Tampico Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
304 W Kimball Rd
Tampico, IL 61283
(815) 438-2255
Tampico, IL 61283
(815) 438-2255
Gr: PK-5 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
815 W Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Gr: 3-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1212.
Morrison Jr High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 Academic Dr
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-7264
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-7264
Gr: 6-8 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1602 Dixon Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Regional Center For Change Alop
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #1515.
Merrill Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 4th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4634
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4634
Gr: 3-5 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1616.
Challand Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1717.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1501 E 6th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449
Gr: 3-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1818.
Thome Educational School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-1026
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-1026
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
1901 8th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-3356
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-3356
Gr: K-2 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
1510 E 25th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755
Gr: PK-2 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
806 E Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Gr: PK-2 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
520 N Genesee St
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2153
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-2153
Gr: PK-2 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
Regional Center For Change
Alternative School
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Gr: 6-12
Whiteside County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
511 Third Ave N
Albany, IL 61230
(309) 887-4441
Albany, IL 61230
(309) 887-4441
Gr: PK-5 | 115 students Minority enrollment: 1%
Bi-county Sp Ed-ecse Montmorency (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
9415 Hoover Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Bi-county Sp Ed-ecse Prophetstown (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
301 W 3rd St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-2345
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-2345
Bi-county Sp Ed-ecse Tampico (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
304 E Kimball Rd
Tampico, IL 61283
(815) 438-2255
Tampico, IL 61283
(815) 438-2255
Bi-county Sp Ed-hi Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
9413 Hoover Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Bi-county Sp Ed-hi Middle School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Bi-county Sp Education - High School Life Skills-sterling (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
bi-county sp Educational hi high (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1608 4th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800
bi-county sp Educational preschool program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
506 W 4th St Ste B
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-0858
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-0858
1602 Dixon Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Gr: K-8 | 245 students Minority enrollment: 15%
3505 Prophet Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-5280
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-5280
Gr: PK-8 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-8733
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-8733
Gr: K-5 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Whiteside Area Career Center (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
1608 5th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 632-0556
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 632-0556
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Whiteside County, IL?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Whiteside County, IL include Southside School, Plt Middle School and Erie Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Whiteside County?
23 public elementary schools are located in Whiteside County.
What is the racial composition of students in Whiteside County?
Whiteside County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Whiteside County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Whiteside County include: Washington Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Southside School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School vs. Montmorency Ccsd #145
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