Best Schools in Harvard, Illinois
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Harvard?
Use this page to compare every school in Harvard 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.
Jefferson Elem School
Elementary · Harvard Cusd 50. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Crosby Elem Sch
Elementary · Harvard Cusd 50. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harvard High School
High · Harvard Cusd 50. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Harvard for 2026 are Jefferson Elem School (5.8/10), Crosby Elem Sch (5.6/10), and Harvard High School (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$198,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$198,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Harvard
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson Elem School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Crosby Elem Sch | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Harvard High School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Harvard JR High School | 4.0 / 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
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $72,298
- Median home value
- $198,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Harvard compares
Illinois rank
#375 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$72k
88% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Harvard, Illinois
Harvard, Illinois is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in Harvard 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 Harvard is Jefferson Elem School with a composite score of 5.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Harvard is served by 1 school district: Harvard CUSD 50. These districts collectively serve 2,499 students.
Harvard's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,298. The poverty rate in the area is 11.2%.
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.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 359 students · 4th–5th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 637 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 5.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 577 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 798 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 128 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.1 |
Schools in Harvard
Harvard, Illinois · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,298
Median Home Value
$198,700
Median Rent
$1,192/mo
Population
13,333
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Community Profile
Harvard has a median household income of $72,298. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,700, with a median rent of $1,192/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 2
- 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 Harvard, Illinois
How many schools are in Harvard, Illinois?
Harvard has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Harvard, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Harvard is 5.2 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 Harvard, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Harvard on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elem School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Harvard, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Harvard on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elem School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Harvard, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Harvard on MySchoolScout is Harvard JR High School with a composite score of 4.0/10.
What is the best high school in Harvard, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Harvard on MySchoolScout is Harvard High School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Harvard, Illinois?
Harvard is served by 1 school district: Harvard Cusd 50.
What is the education level in Harvard, Illinois?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Harvard have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Harvard, Illinois?
The median household income in Harvard is approximately $72,298 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Harvard, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Harvard is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Harvard, 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.