Best Schools in Galesburg, Illinois
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Galesburg?
Use this page to compare every school in Galesburg 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.
Lombard Middle School
Middle · Galesburg Cusd 205. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Steele School
Elementary · Galesburg Cusd 205. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Silas Willard Elem School
Elementary · Galesburg Cusd 205. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Galesburg for 2026 are Lombard Middle School (7.3/10), Steele School (6.6/10), and Silas Willard Elem School (5.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$94,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$94,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Galesburg
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lombard Middle School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Steele School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Silas Willard Elem School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Galesburg Christian School Assoc | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Costa Catholic School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 6 | King School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Galesburg Senior High School | 4.7 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $47,728
- Median home value
- $94,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Galesburg compares
Illinois rank
#315 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$48k
58% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg, Illinois is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Galesburg 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 Galesburg is Lombard Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Galesburg is served by 1 school district: Galesburg CUSD 205. These districts collectively serve 3,904 students.
Galesburg's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $47,728. The poverty rate in the area is 19.7%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 520 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 427 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.7 | ||
| 3 | 525 students · Kindergarten–4th | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 180 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 4.5 | ||
| 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 | Costa Catholic School
Private
196 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 517 students · 5th–6th | 7.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,735 students · 7th–12th | 4.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galesburg Christian School Assoc
Private
183 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Galesburg
Galesburg, Illinois · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$47,728
Median Home Value
$94,900
Median Rent
$724/mo
Population
30,684
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Community Profile
Galesburg has a median household income of $47,728. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,900, with a median rent of $724/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Galesburg, Illinois
How many schools are in Galesburg, Illinois?
Galesburg has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Galesburg, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Galesburg is 5.5 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 Galesburg, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Galesburg on MySchoolScout is Lombard Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Galesburg, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Galesburg on MySchoolScout is Steele School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Galesburg, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Galesburg on MySchoolScout is Lombard Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Galesburg, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Galesburg on MySchoolScout is Galesburg Senior High School with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Galesburg, Illinois?
Galesburg is served by 1 school district: Galesburg Cusd 205.
What is the education level in Galesburg, Illinois?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Galesburg have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Galesburg, Illinois?
The median household income in Galesburg is approximately $47,728 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Galesburg, Illinois?
Yes, Galesburg has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Galesburg Christian School Assoc with a score of 5.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Galesburg, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Galesburg is 15.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Galesburg, 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.