Best Schools in Carthage, Illinois
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Carthage?
Use this page to compare every school in Carthage 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.
Illini West High School
High · Illini West H S Dist 307. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carthage Middle School
Middle · Carthage Esd 317. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carthage Primary School
Elementary · Carthage Esd 317. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carthage for 2026 are Illini West High School (6.4/10), Carthage Middle School (6.4/10), and Carthage Primary School (5.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$120,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$120,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carthage
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illini West High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Carthage Middle School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Carthage Primary School | 5.5 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $74,859
- Median home value
- $120,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Carthage compares
Illinois rank
#228 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$75k
91% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Carthage, Illinois
Carthage, Illinois is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Carthage 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 Carthage is Illini West High School with a composite score of 6.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carthage is served by 2 school districts: Illini West H S Dist 307, Carthage ESD 317. These districts collectively serve 760 students.
Carthage's community shows 33% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,859. The poverty rate in the area is 8.4%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 176 students · 5th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 334 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
Schools in Carthage
Carthage, Illinois · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$74,859
Median Home Value
$120,600
Median Rent
$677/mo
Population
3,682
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
77%
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Community Profile
Carthage has a median household income of $74,859. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,600, with a median rent of $677/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 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 Carthage, Illinois
How many schools are in Carthage, Illinois?
Carthage has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carthage, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carthage is 6.1 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 Carthage, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Illini West High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carthage, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage Primary School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Carthage, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage Middle School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Carthage, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Illini West High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Carthage, Illinois?
Carthage is served by 2 school districts: Illini West H S Dist 307, Carthage Esd 317.
What is the education level in Carthage, Illinois?
According to Census data, 33% of adults in Carthage have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carthage, Illinois?
The median household income in Carthage is approximately $74,859 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carthage, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carthage is 15.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carthage, 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.