Best Schools in Paxton, Illinois
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Paxton?
Use this page to compare every school in Paxton 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.
Clara Peterson Elem School
Elementary · Paxton-buckley-loda Cud 10. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Paxton-buckley-loda High School
High · Paxton-buckley-loda Cud 10. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Paxton-buckley-loda JR High Sch
Middle · Paxton-buckley-loda Cud 10. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Paxton for 2026 are Clara Peterson Elem School (8.2/10), Paxton-buckley-loda High School (7.8/10), and Paxton-buckley-loda JR High Sch (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$122,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$122,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Paxton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clara Peterson Elem School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Paxton-buckley-loda High School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Paxton-buckley-loda JR High Sch | 7.5 / 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
- 7.8/10
- Median household income
- $66,741
- Median home value
- $122,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Paxton compares
Illinois rank
#34 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.6
above Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
81% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Paxton, Illinois
Paxton, Illinois is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.8 out of 10, schools in Paxton perform strongly 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 Paxton is Clara Peterson Elem School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Paxton is served by 1 school district: Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUD 10. These districts collectively serve 1,238 students.
Paxton's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,741. The poverty rate in the area is 7.5%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 585 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 279 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 374 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
Schools in Paxton
Paxton, Illinois · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,741
Median Home Value
$122,200
Median Rent
$920/mo
Population
5,620
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Community Profile
Paxton has a median household income of $66,741. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,200, with a median rent of $920/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 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 Paxton, Illinois
How many schools are in Paxton, Illinois?
Paxton has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Paxton, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Paxton is 7.8 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 Paxton, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Paxton on MySchoolScout is Clara Peterson Elem School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Paxton, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Paxton on MySchoolScout is Clara Peterson Elem School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Paxton, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Paxton on MySchoolScout is Paxton-buckley-loda JR High Sch with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Paxton, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Paxton on MySchoolScout is Paxton-buckley-loda High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Paxton, Illinois?
Paxton is served by 1 school district: Paxton-buckley-loda Cud 10.
What is the education level in Paxton, Illinois?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Paxton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Paxton, Illinois?
The median household income in Paxton is approximately $66,741 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Paxton, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Paxton is 12.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Paxton, 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.