Best Schools in Murphysboro, Illinois
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Murphysboro?
Use this page to compare every school in Murphysboro 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.
Carruthers Elementary School
Elementary · Murphysboro Cusd 186. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Murphysboro Middle School
Middle · Murphysboro Cusd 186. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Murphysboro High School
High · Murphysboro Cusd 186. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Murphysboro for 2026 are Carruthers Elementary School (6.5/10), Murphysboro Middle School (5.9/10), and Murphysboro High School (4.8/10), 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
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$117,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$117,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Murphysboro schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Murphysboro
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carruthers Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Murphysboro Middle School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Murphysboro High School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Gen John a Logan Attendance Cntr | 3.4 / 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
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $54,242
- Median home value
- $117,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Murphysboro compares
Illinois rank
#411 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$54k
66% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
7
Murphysboro CUSD 186 runs Murphysboro's public schools
5 public schools. Murphysboro CUSD 186 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Murphysboro is a Murphysboro CUSD 186 school (5 of 5).
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.4 to 6.5 — the spread is inside Murphysboro, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Murphysboro, Illinois
Murphysboro, Illinois is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.1 out of 10, schools in Murphysboro 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 Murphysboro is Carruthers Elementary School with a composite score of 6.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Murphysboro is served by 1 school district: Murphysboro CUSD 186. These districts collectively serve 1,930 students.
Murphysboro's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,242. The poverty rate in the area is 14.1%.
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 | 420 students · 3rd–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 394 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 3.4 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Andrew Catholic SchoolPrivate 132 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Immanuel Lutheran SchoolPrivate 45 students · Pre-K–7th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 432 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 604 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.8 |
Schools in Murphysboro
Murphysboro, Illinois · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,242
Median Home Value
$117,800
Median Rent
$681/mo
Population
13,995
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Community Profile
Murphysboro has a median household income of $54,242. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,800, with a median rent of $681/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- 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 Murphysboro, Illinois
How many schools are in Murphysboro, Illinois?
Murphysboro has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Murphysboro, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Murphysboro is 5.1 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 Murphysboro, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Murphysboro on MySchoolScout is Carruthers Elementary School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Murphysboro, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Murphysboro on MySchoolScout is Carruthers Elementary School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Murphysboro, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Murphysboro on MySchoolScout is Murphysboro Middle School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Murphysboro, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Murphysboro on MySchoolScout is Murphysboro High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Murphysboro, Illinois?
Murphysboro is served by 1 school district: Murphysboro Cusd 186.
What is the education level in Murphysboro, Illinois?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Murphysboro have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Murphysboro, Illinois?
The median household income in Murphysboro is approximately $54,242 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Murphysboro, Illinois?
Yes, Murphysboro has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Andrew Catholic School with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Murphysboro, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Murphysboro is 21.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Murphysboro, 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.