Sterling Cusd 5 School District
School District · Sterling, Illinois
Avg Rating
5.0
out of 10
Schools
6
4 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,348
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Avg Rating
5.0
out of 10
Schools
6
4 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,348
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Evaluating Sterling Cusd 5?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Sterling Cusd 5 as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Sterling High School
Sterling · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Washington Elem School
Sterling · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Lincoln Elem School
Sterling · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Illinois rank
#536 of 637
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Illinois avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,348
$2,342 vs Illinois median
District size
3,228 students
Much larger than Illinois median
The short answer
Sterling Cusd 5 ranks #536 of 637 Illinois districts by overall school rating. Sterling Cusd 5's schools with real test data average 4.9/10 across 4 schools. Its top-rated schools are Sterling High School (6.5/10), Washington Elem School (5.2/10), and Lincoln Elem School (4.3/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Sterling Cusd 5
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sterling High School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Washington Elem School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincoln Elem School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Challand Middle School | 3.6 / 10 |
See all 6 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Sterling Cusd 5
Sterling Cusd 5 is a Sterling, Illinois school district serving 6 schools. The district educates 3,228 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. The district invests $14,348 per student annually.
With an average rating of 5.0/10, Sterling Cusd 5 demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Sterling High School, which has a composite score of 6.5/10.
In standardized testing, Sterling Cusd 5 students show an average math proficiency of 39.6% and ELA proficiency of 43.2%.
The district includes 4 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in Sterling Cusd 5, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Sterling Cusd 5 with test data.
Schools in Sterling Cusd 5
6 schools Elementary Schools 4
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 1
District Details
- State
- Illinois
- City
- Sterling
- Total Enrollment
- 3,228
- Teachers (FTE)
- 202
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Sterling Cusd 5?
Sterling Cusd 5 has 6 schools in total — 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Sterling Cusd 5?
The average composite rating for Sterling Cusd 5 is 5.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Sterling Cusd 5?
Sterling Cusd 5 spends $14,348 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sterling Cusd 5?
The average student-teacher ratio in Sterling Cusd 5 is 16:1.
What is the top-rated school in Sterling Cusd 5?
Sterling High School is the highest-rated school in Sterling Cusd 5 with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What are the test scores in Sterling Cusd 5?
Across schools in Sterling Cusd 5 with test data, the average math proficiency is 39.6% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 43.2%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Sterling Cusd 5 compare to other districts in Illinois?
Sterling Cusd 5 has an average school rating of 5.0/10 across 6 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Illinois by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 39.6%
- ELA Proficiency
- 43.2%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in IL
Compare Sterling Cusd 5 with neighboring districts in the state.
- Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 (643)
- Sd U-46 (56)
- Rockford Sd 205 (45)
- Springfield Sd 186 (35)
- Indian Prairie Cusd 204 (34)
- Peoria Sd 150 (32)
- Plainfield Sd 202 (31)
- Cusd 300 (29)
- Schaumburg Ccsd 54 (28)
- Mclean County USD 5 (26)
- Joliet Psd 86 (22)
- Naperville Cusd 203 (22)
- Cusd 308 (22)
- Waukegan Cusd 60 (22)
- Aurora East USD 131 (20)
- Champaign Cusd 4 (20)
- Palatine Ccsd 15 (20)
- Valley View Cusd 365u (20)
- Cusd 200 (20)
- St Charles Cusd 303 (18)
- Aurora West USD 129 (17)
- Evanston Ccsd 65 (17)
- Decatur Sd 61 (16)
- Cicero Sd 99 (15)
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.
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