6.3 avg / 10

Best Schools in Dakota, Illinois

2 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.3/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.3/10
Median household income: $74,896
Median home value: $162,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18%
Avg commute: 24 min
Owner-occupied homes: 78%

How Dakota compares

Median household income

$75k

91% of Illinois median

About Schools in Dakota, Illinois

Dakota, Illinois is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Dakota show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Dakota is Dakota Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Dakota is served by 1 school district: Dakota CUSD 201. These districts collectively serve 749 students.

Dakota's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,896. The poverty rate in the area is 8.2%.

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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (2) Elementary (1) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (2) Public (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (2) Academics (2) Growth (2) Resources (2)

Filter by ZIP: 61018 (2)

Elementary Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Dakota Elementary School 406 students · Pre-K–6th	406	Pre-K–6th	7.1

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Dakota Jr Sr High School 343 students · 7th–12th	343	7th–12th	5.4

Schools in Dakota

Dakota, Illinois · 2 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$74,896

Median Home Value

$162,800

Median Rent

$744/mo

Population

1,040

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Community Profile

Dakota has a median household income of $74,896. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,800, with a median rent of $744/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Illinois
Total Schools: 2
Elementary: 1
High: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.3/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Dakota schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Dakota 📊 Niche Dakota Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Dakota CUSD 201

2 schools · 749 students

Nearby Cities

Orangeville (3 schools)

8 mi

Freeport (9 schools)

9 mi

Pecatonica (3 schools)

10 mi

Durand (3 schools)

11 mi

Forreston (3 schools)

16 mi

Lena (3 schools)

15 mi

Winnebago (4 schools)

17 mi

Shannon (1 school)

20 mi

Pearl City (3 schools)

Stillman Valley (3 schools)

26 mi

Other Major Cities in Illinois

Top metros statewide by school count.

Chicago 850 schools Aurora 62 schools Rockford 61 schools Naperville 58 schools Peoria 53 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Dakota, Illinois

How many schools are in Dakota, Illinois?

Dakota has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Dakota, Illinois?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dakota is 6.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Dakota, Illinois?

The top-ranked school in Dakota on MySchoolScout is Dakota Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.

What is the best elementary school in Dakota, Illinois?

The top-ranked elementary school in Dakota on MySchoolScout is Dakota Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.

What is the best high school in Dakota, Illinois?

The top-ranked high school in Dakota on MySchoolScout is Dakota JR SR High School with a composite score of 5.4/10.

How many school districts serve Dakota, Illinois?

Dakota is served by 1 school district: Dakota Cusd 201.

What is the education level in Dakota, Illinois?

According to Census data, 18% of adults in Dakota have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Dakota, Illinois?

The median household income in Dakota is approximately $74,896 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Dakota, Illinois?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dakota is 13.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dakota, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.