6.4 avg / 10

Best Schools in Ottawa, Illinois

11 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 9

Private: 2

Districts: 5

Avg Rating: 6.4/10

Estimated Scores: 18%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.4/10
Median household income: $77,562
Median home value: $157,100
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22%
Avg commute: 23 min
Owner-occupied homes: 73%

How Ottawa compares

Illinois rank

#175 of 444

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.1

above Illinois avg (6.3)

Median household income

$78k

95% of Illinois median

Schools in this city

11

About Schools in Ottawa, Illinois

Ottawa, Illinois is home to 11 schools, including 9 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Ottawa show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Ottawa is Rutland Elem School with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Ottawa is served by 5 school districts. These districts collectively serve 3,550 students.

Ottawa's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $77,562. The poverty rate in the area is 12.4%.

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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (11) Elementary (6) Middle (2) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (11) Public (9) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (11) Academics (11) Growth (9) Resources (9)

Filter by ZIP: 61350 (11)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Rutland Elem School 69 students · Pre-K–8th	69	Pre-K–8th	8.7
2	McKinley Elem School 399 students · Pre-K–4th	399	Pre-K–4th	8.4
3	Deer Park C C Elem School 37 students · Pre-K–8th	37	Pre-K–8th	8.3
4	Jefferson Elem School 306 students · Pre-K–4th	306	Pre-K–4th	8.2
5	Wallace Elem School 400 students · Pre-K–8th	400	Pre-K–8th	4.3
6	Lincoln Elem School 363 students · Pre-K–4th	363	Pre-K–4th	3.8

Middle Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Shepherd Middle School 381 students · 7th–8th	381	7th–8th	6.8
2	Central Intermediate School 325 students · 5th–6th	325	5th–6th	5.5

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Ottawa Township High School 1,270 students · 9th–12th	1,270	9th–12th	4.9

Other Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	MARQUETTE ACADEMY Private 340 students · Pre-K–12th	340	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated
2	MARQUETTE ACADEMY Private 339 students · Pre-K–12th	339	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Ottawa

Ottawa, Illinois · 11 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$77,562

Median Home Value

$157,100

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

23,999

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Community Profile

Ottawa has a median household income of $77,562. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,100, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Illinois
Total Schools: 11
Elementary: 6
Middle: 2
High: 1
Districts: 5
Avg Rating: 6.4/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Ottawa schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Ottawa 📊 Niche Ottawa Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (5)

Deer Park CCSD 82

1 school · 37 students

Ottawa ESD 141

5 schools · 1,774 students

Ottawa Twp HSD 140

2 schools · 1,270 students

Rutland CCSD 230

1 school · 69 students

Wallace CCSD 195

2 schools · 400 students

Nearby Cities

Grand Ridge (1 school)

8 mi

Utica (1 school)

8 mi

Marseilles (2 schools)

Earlville (4 schools)

Other Major Cities in Illinois

Top metros statewide by school count.

Chicago 850 schools Aurora 62 schools Rockford 61 schools Naperville 58 schools Peoria 53 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Ottawa, Illinois

How many schools are in Ottawa, Illinois?

Ottawa has 11 schools, including 9 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Ottawa, Illinois?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ottawa is 6.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Ottawa, Illinois?

The top-ranked school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Rutland Elem School with a composite score of 8.7/10.

What is the best elementary school in Ottawa, Illinois?

The top-ranked elementary school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Rutland Elem School with a composite score of 8.7/10.

What is the best middle school in Ottawa, Illinois?

The top-ranked middle school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Shepherd Middle School with a composite score of 6.8/10.

What is the best high school in Ottawa, Illinois?

The top-ranked high school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Ottawa Township High School with a composite score of 4.9/10.

How many school districts serve Ottawa, Illinois?

Ottawa is served by 5 school districts: Deer Park Ccsd 82, Ottawa Esd 141, Ottawa Twp Hsd 140, Rutland Ccsd 230, Wallace Ccsd 195.

What is the education level in Ottawa, Illinois?

According to Census data, 22% of adults in Ottawa have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Ottawa, Illinois?

The median household income in Ottawa is approximately $77,562 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Ottawa, Illinois?

Yes, Ottawa has 2 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Marquette Academy with a score of 6.6/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Ottawa, Illinois?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ottawa 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 Ottawa, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.