Best Schools in Peru, Illinois
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Peru?
Use this page to compare every school in Peru 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.
Northview Elem School
Elementary · Peru Esd 124. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Bede Academy
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Peru Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Peru for 2026 are Northview Elem School (8.5/10), St Bede Academy (7.0/10), and Peru Catholic School (6.7/10), 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
4
2 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$160,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
2 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$160,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Peru
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northview Elem School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | St Bede Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Peru Catholic School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Parkside Middle School | 5.4 / 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
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $69,382
- Median home value
- $160,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Peru compares
Illinois rank
#114 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$69k
85% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Peru, Illinois
Peru, Illinois is home to 4 schools, including 2 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Peru 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 Peru is Northview Elem School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Peru is served by 1 school district: Peru ESD 124. These districts collectively serve 945 students.
Peru's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,382. The poverty rate in the area is 8.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 587 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.5 | ||
| 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 | Peru Catholic School
Private
128 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.7 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 358 students · 5th–8th | 5.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Bede Academy
Private
282 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Peru
Peru, Illinois · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,382
Median Home Value
$160,100
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
10,366
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Community Profile
Peru has a median household income of $69,382. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,100, with a median rent of $877/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
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 Peru, Illinois
How many schools are in Peru, Illinois?
Peru has 4 schools, including 2 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Peru, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Peru is 6.9 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 Peru, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Peru on MySchoolScout is Northview Elem School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Peru, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Peru on MySchoolScout is Northview Elem School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Peru, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Peru on MySchoolScout is Parkside Middle School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best high school in Peru, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Peru on MySchoolScout is St Bede Academy with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Peru, Illinois?
Peru is served by 1 school district: Peru Esd 124.
What is the education level in Peru, Illinois?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Peru have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Peru, Illinois?
The median household income in Peru is approximately $69,382 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Peru, Illinois?
Yes, Peru has 2 private schools alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Bede Academy with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Peru, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Peru is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Peru, 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.