Average
#1930 of 3,813 schools in IL
Prairie Central Elem School
Elementary School · Prairie Central CUSD 8
600 S 1st St, Fairbury, IL 61739
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
2nd – 4th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
2nd – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairbury
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,184 of 2,326
In district
#4 of 6
Prairie Central CUSD 8
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Prairie Central Elem School
Prairie Central Elementary School is nestled in the heart of Fairbury, Illinois, a charming rural community in Livingston County. With an enrollment of 368 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, Prairie Central offers personalized attention to each child. The school covers grades two through four, ensuring that young learners receive focused support during their formative years.
Prairie Central's academic performance reflects areas with room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1592 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (58th percentile). The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 31% and Math proficiency stands at 36%, highlighting opportunities for improvement in these areas. Prairie Central Elementary School thrives in a tight-knit rural setting, fostering a close community where teachers know each student well.
This environment encourages strong relationships between students, staff, and families, making Prairie Central a warm and supportive place to learn and grow.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Prairie Central Elem School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Prairie Central Elem School — Students at Prairie Central Elem School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Prairie Central Elem School Compares
See how Prairie Central Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 35% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
600 S 1st St, Fairbury, IL 61739
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Central Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saunemin Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Saunemin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Pontiac), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MARYS SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Pontiac), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fairbury, see our Fairbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Central High School Fairbury | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Prairie Central Jr High School Forrest | 5.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Prairie Central Upper Elementary Forrest | 5.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Washington Elem School Pontiac | 11.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac | 10.9 mi | 3.3 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac | 11.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac | 11.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Pontiac High School Pontiac | 11.4 mi | 6.0 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Pontiac | 11.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Elem School Pontiac | 11.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Saunemin Elem School Saunemin | 11.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Ridgeview High School Colfax | 13.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax | 13.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Ridgeview Elementary School Colfax | 13.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Prairie Central Primary West Chenoa | 10.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Prairie Central Primary East Chatsworth | 11.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Odell | 18.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Odell Grade School Odell | 18.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Lexington Jr High School Lexington | 15.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Lexington High School Lexington | 15.3 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61739 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,635
Median Home Value
$160,400
Median Rent
$753/mo
Population
4,673
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
70.8%
Avg Commute
15.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Central Elem School has a median household income of $68,635. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,400, with a median rent of $753/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Bond Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Carter Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Central Elem School
What grades does Prairie Central Elem School serve?
Prairie Central Elem School serves students in grades 2nd through 4th.
How many students attend Prairie Central Elem School?
Prairie Central Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 368 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central Elem School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Central Elem School rank in IL?
Prairie Central Elem School is ranked #1930 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Central Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Central Elem School has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Prairie Central Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Central Elem School has 35.5% math proficiency and 31.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Central Elem School a charter school?
No, Prairie Central Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Central Elem School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Central Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Central Elem School?
44.0% of students at Prairie Central Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (197/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairbury). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 4th
- Enrollment
- 368
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Livingston County
- Phone
- (815) 692-2623
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Prairie Central CUSD 8- District Enrollment
- 1,722
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,986
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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