Below Average
#3475 of 3,813 schools in IL
Prairie Central High School
High School · Prairie Central CUSD 8
411 N 7th St, Fairbury, IL 61739
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairbury
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois high schools
#664 of 703
In district
#6 of 6
Prairie Central CUSD 8
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Prairie Central High School
Prairie Central High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Fairbury, Illinois. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 518 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, Prairie Central offers personalized attention to its students.
There are 44 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic journey of each student. While Prairie Central High School’s MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.8 out of 10 and its state ranking sits at #2403 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, which places it around the 37th percentile, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. In terms of academic performance, 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% meet proficiency standards in math.
Prairie Central High School is situated in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive with the support of their teachers and peers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Prairie Central High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Prairie Central High School — Students at Prairie Central High School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
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: 3.7/10.
How Prairie Central High School Compares
See how Prairie Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
411 N 7th St, Fairbury, IL 61739
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tri-Point High School (rated 6.7/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Cullom), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pontiac High School (rated 6.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Pontiac), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ridgeview High School (rated 5.4/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Colfax), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fairbury, see our Fairbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Central Elem School Fairbury | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Prairie Central Jr High School Forrest | 4.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Prairie Central Upper Elementary Forrest | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Saunemin Elem School Saunemin | 10.8 mi | 8.3 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac | 10.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Elem School Pontiac | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac | 10.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac | 10.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Pontiac High School Pontiac | 11.0 mi | 6.0 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Pontiac | 11.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Elem School Pontiac | 11.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Prairie Central Primary West Chenoa | 11.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Prairie Central Primary East Chatsworth | 11.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Ridgeview High School Colfax | 14.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax | 14.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Ridgeview Elementary School Colfax | 14.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Odell Grade School Odell | 17.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Odell | 17.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Tri-Point High School Cullom | 15.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Lexington Jr High School Lexington | 16.1 mi | 6.9 |
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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Hillsboro High School Hillsboro, IL | 4.4 |
| Rochester High School Rochester, IL | 4.4 |
| SACRED HEART GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL Springfield, IL | 4.4 |
| Salem Community High School Salem, IL | 4.4 |
| BR RICE HIGH SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 4.5 |
| Heyworth Jr-Sr High School Heyworth, IL | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Central High School
What grades does Prairie Central High School serve?
Prairie Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Prairie Central High School?
Prairie Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 518 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central High School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Central High School rank in IL?
Prairie Central High School is ranked #3475 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Central High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Central High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Central High School a charter school?
No, Prairie Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Central High School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Central High School?
43.6% of students at Prairie Central High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 518
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Livingston County
- Phone
- (815) 692-2355
- 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
- #6 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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