Best Schools in Pekin, Illinois
16 schools · 9 Elementary · 4 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Pekin?
Use this page to compare every school in Pekin 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.
Rankin Elem School
Elementary · Rankin CSD 98. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Willow Elem School
Elementary · Pekin Psd 108. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Scott Altman Primary School
Elementary · Pekin Psd 108. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pekin for 2026 are Rankin Elem School (7.4/10), Willow Elem School (6.5/10), and Scott Altman Primary School (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 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
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$123,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$123,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 6.5/10 despite 73% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 Pekin schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Pekin
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (15 of 16). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rankin Elem School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Willow Elem School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Scott Altman Primary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Good Shepherd Lutheran School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Pekin Community High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Faith Baptist Christian School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Washington Intermediate School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | St Joseph Catholic School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Broadmoor Junior High School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 10 | L E Starke Elem 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
- 4.8/10
- Median household income
- $62,484
- Median home value
- $123,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
6% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pekin compares
Illinois rank
#405 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.4
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
76% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in Pekin, Illinois
Pekin, Illinois is home to 16 schools, including 13 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 10, schools in Pekin 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 Pekin is Rankin Elem School with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pekin is served by 3 school districts: Pekin PSD 108, Pekin CSD 303, Rankin CSD 98. These districts collectively serve 5,112 students.
Pekin's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,484. The poverty rate in the area is 12.2%.
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
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 198 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 209 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.5 | ||
| 3 | 185 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 126 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 4.2 | ||
| 5 | 282 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 3.5 | ||
| 6 | 176 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 3.1 | ||
| 7 | 304 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 2.7 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 84 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | St Joseph Catholic SchoolPrivate 96 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 408 students · 4th–6th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 377 students · 7th–8th | 4.8 |
| 3 | 311 students · 7th–8th | 4.0 |
| 4 | 585 students · 4th–6th | 3.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,737 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 214 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 104 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Pekin
Pekin, Illinois · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,484
Median Home Value
$123,500
Median Rent
$814/mo
Population
40,783
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Community Profile
Pekin has a median household income of $62,484. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,500, with a median rent of $814/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 1
- Other
- 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 Pekin, Illinois
How many schools are in Pekin, Illinois?
Pekin has 16 schools, including 13 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pekin, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pekin is 4.8 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 Pekin, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Pekin on MySchoolScout is Rankin Elem School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pekin, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pekin on MySchoolScout is Rankin Elem School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Pekin, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Pekin on MySchoolScout is Washington Intermediate School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Pekin, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Pekin on MySchoolScout is Pekin Community High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Pekin, Illinois?
Pekin is served by 3 school districts: Pekin Psd 108, Pekin CSD 303, Rankin CSD 98.
What is the education level in Pekin, Illinois?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Pekin have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pekin, Illinois?
The median household income in Pekin is approximately $62,484 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pekin, Illinois?
Yes, Pekin has 3 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Good Shepherd Lutheran School with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pekin, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pekin is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pekin, 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.