For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 975 students in Prairie Central CUSD 8 School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Illinois.
Public Elementary Schools in Prairie Central CUSD 8 School District have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
6 Schools
3,120 Schools
# Students
1,712 Students
1,192,824 Students
# Teachers
141 Teachers
91,472 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Prairie Central CUSD 8 School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 861 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#394 out of 865 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
50%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.28
0.70
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
10%
28%
% Black
1%
17%
% White
84%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,591 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,455. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,751 is less than the state median of $21,692. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$35 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,591
$22,455
Spending / Student
$17,751
$21,692
Best Prairie Central CUSD 8 School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Prairie Central Primary West
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 S Division St
Chenoa, IL 61726
(815) 945-2971
Chenoa, IL 61726
(815) 945-2971
Gr: PK-1 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Prairie Central Upper Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
312 N Center St
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 657-8238
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 657-8238
Gr: 5-6 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Central Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 S 1st St
Fairbury, IL 61739
(815) 692-2623
Fairbury, IL 61739
(815) 692-2623
Gr: 2-4 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Prairie Central Primary East
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
407 S 4th St
Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3555
Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3555
Gr: PK-1 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
