Best Schools in Marion, Illinois
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Marion?
Use this page to compare every school in Marion 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.
Washington Elem School
Elementary · Marion Cusd 2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Longfellow Elem School
Elementary · Marion Cusd 2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Elem School
Elementary · Marion Cusd 2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Marion for 2026 are Washington Elem School (8.1/10), Longfellow Elem School (7.6/10), and Lincoln Elem School (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$166,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$166,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 59% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 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 Marion schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Marion
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Elem School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Longfellow Elem School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincoln Elem School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Jefferson Elem School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Crab Orchard High School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Agape Christian High School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Marion High School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Marion JR High School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Crab Orchard Elementary 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $69,914
- Median home value
- $166,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Marion compares
Illinois rank
#244 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$70k
85% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Marion, Illinois
Marion, Illinois is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Marion 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 Marion is Washington Elem School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Marion is served by 2 school districts: Crab Orchard CUSD 3, Marion CUSD 2. These districts collectively serve 4,126 students.
Marion's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,914. The poverty rate in the area is 14.6%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 479 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 252 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 493 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 4 | 344 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 345 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.2 | ||
| 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 | Marion Adventist School
Private
7 students · Pre-K–5th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 704 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 141 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 2 | 1,105 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 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 | Agape Christian High School
Private
77 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Marion
Marion, Illinois · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,914
Median Home Value
$166,200
Median Rent
$895/mo
Population
27,779
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Community Profile
Marion has a median household income of $69,914. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,200, with a median rent of $895/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 Marion, Illinois
How many schools are in Marion, Illinois?
Marion has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Marion, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Marion is 6.0 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 Marion, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Marion on MySchoolScout is Washington Elem School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Marion, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Marion on MySchoolScout is Washington Elem School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Marion, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Marion on MySchoolScout is Marion JR High School with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Marion, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Marion on MySchoolScout is Crab Orchard High School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
How many school districts serve Marion, Illinois?
Marion is served by 2 school districts: Crab Orchard Cusd 3, Marion Cusd 2.
What is the education level in Marion, Illinois?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Marion have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Marion, Illinois?
The median household income in Marion is approximately $69,914 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Marion, Illinois?
Yes, Marion has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Agape Christian High School with a score of 5.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Marion, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Marion is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Marion, 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.