Best Schools in Centralia, Illinois
14 schools · 10 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Centralia?
Use this page to compare every school in Centralia 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.
Raccoon Cons Elem School
Elementary · Raccoon Cons Sd 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Centralia High School
High · Centralia Hsd 200. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Centralia for 2026 are Raccoon Cons Elem School (7.1/10), Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School (6.6/10), and Centralia High School (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
14
10 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$91,100
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Schools
14
10 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$91,100
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Rates 7.1/10 despite 53% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Centralia schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Centralia
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 14). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raccoon Cons Elem School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Centralia High School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | North Wamac Grade School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Jordan Elem School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | New Horizon Christian School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Centralia JR High School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Grand Prairie Elem School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Willow Grove Elem School | 4.5 / 10 |
| 10 | St Mary School | 4.2 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $53,740
- Median home value
- $91,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
8% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Centralia compares
Illinois rank
#353 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$54k
66% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Centralia, Illinois
Centralia's public school system spans 9 ranked schools, split between elementary and middle school levels. The city posts an average score of 6.8 out of 10, and 5 of those 9 schools — 56% — clear the 7.0 mark. That performance spread gives families real choices rather than a single default option.
Grand Prairie Elementary School leads the city with a 9.0 out of 10, one of the highest elementary scores in the area. Central City Elementary follows at 7.9, and Willow Grove Elementary sits at 7.1. Together, these three form a distinct upper tier. At the middle school level, Centralia Jr. High School scores 7.0 — consistent with the city's stronger performers and a reliable transition point after elementary. North Wamac Grade School also lands at 7.0, rounding out a cluster of schools that clear the city average by a measurable margin.
For parents with elementary-age children, Centralia offers genuine differentiation. The 2.2-point gap between the top school (Grand Prairie at 9.0) and the city average (6.8) means attendance zone matters. Checking which school your home address is zoned for is the first practical step. Families outside Grand Prairie's zone should look closely at Central City Elementary, which still runs nearly a full point above the city average. Middle school parents face a simpler picture: Centralia Jr. High is the primary option at that level, and its 7.0 score places it solidly among the city's better performers.
Overall, Centralia's schools outperform many comparably sized Illinois cities — more than half the ranked schools hit or exceed 7.0, anchored by a top school that stands well above the pack. Parents beginning a search here should verify current attendance boundaries directly with the district, confirm enrollment timelines, and use each school's individual page on MySchoolScout to review test score trends and year-over-year changes before committing to a decision.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 202 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 132 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 227 students · 2nd–3rd | 5.6 | ||
| 4 | 73 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.1 | ||
| 5 | 135 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.5 | ||
| 6 | 298 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.1 | ||
| 7 | 251 students · Pre-K–1st | 4.0 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | New Horizon Christian School
Private
147 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 2 | St Mary School
Private
75 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.2 | ||
| 3 | Trinity Lutheran School
Private
26 students · Pre-K–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 584 students · 4th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 897 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 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 | 108 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
Schools in Centralia
Centralia, Illinois · 14 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$53,740
Median Home Value
$91,100
Median Rent
$785/mo
Population
19,941
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Community Profile
Centralia has a median household income of $53,740. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,100, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (7)
Central City SD 133
1 school · 298 students
Centralia SD 135
4 schools · 1,065 students
Centralia HSD 200
1 school · 897 students
Grand Prairie CCSD 6
1 school · 73 students
Raccoon Cons SD 1
1 school · 202 students
North Wamac SD 186
1 school · 132 students
Willow Grove SD 46
1 school · 135 students
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 Centralia, Illinois
How many schools are in Centralia, Illinois?
Centralia has 14 schools, including 10 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Centralia, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Centralia is 5.3 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 Centralia, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Centralia on MySchoolScout is Raccoon Cons Elem School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Centralia, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Centralia on MySchoolScout is Raccoon Cons Elem School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Centralia, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Centralia on MySchoolScout is Centralia JR High School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Centralia, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Centralia on MySchoolScout is Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
How many school districts serve Centralia, Illinois?
Centralia is served by 7 school districts: Central City Sd 133, Centralia Sd 135, Centralia Hsd 200, Grand Prairie Ccsd 6, Raccoon Cons Sd 1, North Wamac Sd 186, Willow Grove Sd 46.
What is the education level in Centralia, Illinois?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Centralia have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Centralia, Illinois?
The median household income in Centralia is approximately $53,740 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Centralia, Illinois?
Yes, Centralia has 4 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School with a score of 6.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Centralia, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Centralia is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Centralia, 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.