Best Schools in Effingham, Illinois
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Effingham?
Use this page to compare every school in Effingham 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.
Central Grade School
Elementary · Effingham Cusd 40. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Effingham Junior High School
Middle · Effingham Cusd 40. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Effingham High School
High · Effingham Cusd 40. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Effingham for 2026 are Central Grade School (7.5/10), Effingham Junior High School (6.8/10), and Effingham High School (5.7/10), 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
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$195,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$195,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Effingham schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Effingham
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Grade School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Effingham Junior High School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Effingham High School | 5.7 / 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
- $76,098
- Median home value
- $195,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Effingham compares
Illinois rank
#216 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$76k
93% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
8
Effingham CUSD 40 runs Effingham's public schools
6 public schools. Effingham CUSD 40 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Effingham is a Effingham CUSD 40 school (6 of 6).
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.7 to 7.5 — the spread is inside Effingham, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Effingham, Illinois
Effingham, Illinois is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Effingham show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Effingham is South Side Grade School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Effingham is served by 1 school district: Effingham CUSD 40. These districts collectively serve 2,281 students.
Effingham's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $76,098. The poverty rate in the area is 11.0%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 277 students · 1st–2nd | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 503 students · 2nd–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 142 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | 6.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 157 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 486 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 739 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Anthony High SchoolPrivate 217 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 134 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.9 |
Schools in Effingham
Effingham, Illinois · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$76,098
Median Home Value
$195,800
Median Rent
$722/mo
Population
19,371
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Community Profile
Effingham has a median household income of $76,098. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,800, with a median rent of $722/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Effingham, Illinois
How many schools are in Effingham, Illinois?
Effingham has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Effingham, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Effingham 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 Effingham, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Effingham on MySchoolScout is Central Grade School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Effingham, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Effingham on MySchoolScout is Central Grade School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Effingham, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Effingham on MySchoolScout is Effingham Junior High School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Effingham, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Effingham on MySchoolScout is Effingham High School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
How many school districts serve Effingham, Illinois?
Effingham is served by 1 school district: Effingham Cusd 40.
What is the education level in Effingham, Illinois?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Effingham have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Effingham, Illinois?
The median household income in Effingham is approximately $76,098 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Effingham, Illinois?
Yes, Effingham has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart Elementary School with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Effingham, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Effingham is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Effingham, 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.