Best Schools in Urbana, Illinois
12 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Urbana?
Use this page to compare every school in Urbana 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.
Circle Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Urbana High School
High · Urbana Sd 116. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
University of Illinois High Sch
High · University of Ill Lab School. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Urbana for 2026 are Circle Academy (7.0/10), Urbana High School (6.3/10), and University of Illinois High Sch (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$171,150
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$171,150
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Urbana
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circle Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Urbana High School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | University of Illinois High Sch | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Leal Elem School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Campus Middle School for Girls | 5.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Thomas Paine Elem School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 7 | M L King JR Elem School | 4.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Dr Preston L Williams JR Elem Sch | 3.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Urbana Middle School | 3.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Yankee Ridge Elem School | 3.7 / 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
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $48,268
- Median home value
- $171,150
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 52%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 43%
9% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Urbana compares
Illinois rank
#383 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$48k
59% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Urbana, Illinois
Urbana, Illinois is home to 12 schools, including 9 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.0 out of 10, schools in Urbana 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 Urbana is Circle Academy with a composite score of 7.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Urbana is served by 2 school districts: University of Ill Lab School, Urbana SD 116. These districts collectively serve 4,707 students.
Urbana's community shows 52% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $48,268. The poverty rate in the area is 22.9%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 362 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.3 |
| 3 | 307 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.1 |
| 4 | 517 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.8 |
| 5 | 461 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.7 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 911 students · 6th–8th | 3.7 | ||
| 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 | Campus Middle School for Girls
Private
40 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,207 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 314 students · 7th–12th | 6.2 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 253 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.5 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Circle Academy
Private
62 students · 1st–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | Kingswood School
Private
4 students · 2nd–11th | — | ||
Schools in Urbana
Urbana, Illinois · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$48,268
Median Home Value
$171,150
Median Rent
$973/mo
Population
47,257
College Educated
52%
Homeownership
43%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
22.9%
Community Profile
Urbana has a median household income of $48,268. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,150, with a median rent of $973/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 3
Resources
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 Urbana, Illinois
How many schools are in Urbana, Illinois?
Urbana has 12 schools, including 9 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Urbana, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Urbana is 5.0 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 Urbana, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Urbana on MySchoolScout is Circle Academy with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Urbana, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Urbana on MySchoolScout is Leal Elem School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Urbana, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Urbana on MySchoolScout is Campus Middle School for Girls with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best high school in Urbana, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Urbana on MySchoolScout is Urbana High School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Urbana, Illinois?
Urbana is served by 2 school districts: University of Ill Lab School, Urbana Sd 116.
What is the education level in Urbana, Illinois?
According to Census data, 52% of adults in Urbana have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Urbana, Illinois?
The median household income in Urbana is approximately $48,268 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Urbana, Illinois?
Yes, Urbana has 3 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Circle Academy with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Urbana, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Urbana is 37.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Urbana, 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.