Best Schools in Carbondale, Illinois
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Carbondale?
Use this page to compare every school in Carbondale by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Giant City Elem School
Elementary · Giant City Ccsd 130. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Trinity Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carbondale Comm H S
High · Carbondale Chsd 165. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carbondale for 2026 are Giant City Elem School (8.2/10), Trinity Christian School (7.5/10), and Carbondale Comm H S (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
10
7 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$161,967
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
10
7 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$161,967
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carbondale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giant City Elem School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Trinity Christian School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Carbondale Comm H S | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Brehm Preparatory School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Unity Point Elem School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Lewis School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Thomas Elementary School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Carbondale Middle School | 4.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $49,266
- Median home value
- $161,967
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 48%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carbondale compares
Illinois rank
#184 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$49k
60% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois is home to 10 schools, including 7 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Carbondale show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carbondale is Giant City Elem School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carbondale is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 3,515 students.
Carbondale's community shows 47% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $49,266. The poverty rate in the area is 22.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 242 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 475 students · Pre-K–1st | 6.6 | ||
| 3 | 660 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 309 students · 4th–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 5 | 366 students · 2nd–3rd | 5.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Carbondale New School
Private
19 students · Pre-K–4th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 468 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 995 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Brehm Preparatory School
Private
31 students · 7th–12th | 6.5 | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity Christian School
Private
99 students · Pre-K–11th | 7.5 |
Schools in Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$49,266
Median Home Value
$161,967
Median Rent
$811/mo
Population
29,670
College Educated
47%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Community Profile
Carbondale has a median household income of $49,266. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,967, with a median rent of $811/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carbondale, Illinois
How many schools are in Carbondale, Illinois?
Carbondale has 10 schools, including 7 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carbondale, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carbondale is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carbondale, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Giant City Elem School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carbondale, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Giant City Elem School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Carbondale, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Carbondale Middle School with a composite score of 4.0/10.
What is the best high school in Carbondale, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Carbondale Comm H S with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Carbondale, Illinois?
Carbondale is served by 4 school districts: Carbondale Esd 95, Carbondale Chsd 165, Giant City Ccsd 130, Unity Point Ccsd 140.
What is the education level in Carbondale, Illinois?
According to Census data, 47% of adults in Carbondale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carbondale, Illinois?
The median household income in Carbondale is approximately $49,266 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carbondale, Illinois?
Yes, Carbondale has 3 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Trinity Christian School with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carbondale, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carbondale is 11.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carbondale, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.