B+
Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8
Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 19 towns
Serves Indian Grove, Fairbury, Chenoa, Chenoa, Chatsworth, Forrest, Chatsworth, Forrest, Pike, Avoca, Pleasant Ridge, Fayette, Cropsey, Eppards Point, Yates, Strawn, Charlotte, Germanville and Belle Prairie, and parts of Brenton and Anchor.
Students
1,712
Schools
6
Spent per student
$16,593
IL $21,567
Students per teacher
12:1
Free or reduced lunch
46%
Debt
$2.2M
fiscal 2024
What stands out about Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8
- School Grade B+: better than 68% of Illinois districts
- Math proficiency 6 pts above the state
- Spends 23% less per student than the IL average
- 12 students per teacher
- Debt of $2.2M, about $1,272 per student
Where would my kid go?
The school path for Ritchie.
PK–1Bruning Elem SchoolWilmington Community Unit School District 209U
2–5L J Stevens Intermediate SchoolWilmington Community Unit School District 209U
6–8Wilmington Middle SchoolWilmington Community Unit School District 209U
9–12Wilmington High SchoolWilmington Community Unit School District 209U
Test scores vs. IL
2020–21Math proficiency32%
State average 25.8%
Reading / language arts32%
State average 30.7%
Graduation rate (4-year)92%
State average 87.3%
Where the money goes
fiscal 2024$16,593 per student · 23% below IL
Spending
Classroom instruction 66%Support & administration 30%Other 4%
Paid for by
Local (mostly property tax) 52%State 41%Federal 8%
U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.
Enrollment over time
1,728’20
1,763’21
1,725’22
1,722’23
1,712’24
About steady.
Students
White 84%Hispanic 10%Two or more races 4%Black <1%Asian <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%
Schools in the district
6 public schools.
Towns served
Nearby districts
Compare spending and schools next door.
Pontiac Township High School District 90Owego, Pontiac, Rooks Creek
$21,527per student
Ridgeview Community Unit School District 19Cheney's Grove, Lawndale, Martin
$17,634per student
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unit School District 5Peach Orchard, Sullivant
$18,376per student
Saunemin Community Consolidated School District 438Owego, Saunemin
$24,433per student
District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.