For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,981 students in Boone County, IL (there are , serving 417 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Boone County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Boone County, IL are Poplar Grove Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School and Seth Whitman Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Boone County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 19% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Boone County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Boone County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Poplar Grove Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
208 N State St
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-3113
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-3113
Grades: K-4
| 248 students
Rank: #22.
Manchester Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3501 Blaine Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-2826
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-2826
Grades: K-4
| 139 students
Rank: #33.
Seth Whitman Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8989 Beloit Rd
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-3357
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-3357
Grades: PK-5
| 648 students
Rank: #44.
Caledonia Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2311 Randolph St
Caledonia, IL 61011
(815) 547-1977
Caledonia, IL 61011
(815) 547-1977
Grades: PK-5
| 437 students
Rank: #55.
Everest High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1320 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #66.
Belvidere North High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9393 Beloit Rd
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2636
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2636
Grades: 9-12
| 1,408 students
Rank: #77.
Capron Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 N Wooster St
Capron, IL 61012
(815) 569-2314
Capron, IL 61012
(815) 569-2314
Grades: PK-4
| 177 students
Rank: #88.
North Boone Upper Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6200 N Boone School Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-9006
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-9006
Grades: 5-6
| 202 students
Rank: #99.
Belvidere Central Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
8787 Beloit Rd
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-0190
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-0190
Grades: 6-8
| 858 students
Rank: #1010.
North Boone Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
17641 Poplar Grove Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-9274
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-9274
Grades: 7-8
| 250 students
Rank: #1111.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1011 Bonus Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2671
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2671
Grades: PK-5
| 552 students
Rank: #1212.
Perry Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
633 W Perry St
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-9274
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-9274
Grades: PK-5
| 292 students
Rank: #1313.
North Boone High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
17823 Poplar Grove Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-3311
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
(815) 765-3311
Grades: 9-12
| 493 students
Rank: #1414.
Meehan Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1401 E 6th St
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-3546
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-3546
Grades: PK-5
| 667 students
Rank: #1515.
Belvidere South Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
919 E 6th St
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-4175
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-4175
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #1616.
Belvidere High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1500 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-6345
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-6345
Grades: 9-12
| 1,161 students
Rank: #1717.
Washington Academy
(Math: 6% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1031 5th Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-3124
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-3124
Grades: PK-5
| 698 students
Boone County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1320 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Grades: 9-12
| 45 students
Boone County Center (Closed 2020)
Special Education School
1320 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-9851
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-9851
Grades: PK
| n/a students
7133 Garden Prairie Rd
Garden Prairie, IL 61038
(815) 597-1501
Garden Prairie, IL 61038
(815) 597-1501
Grades: K-5
| 300 students
Reg'l Learning Center Star Boone (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1320 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Regl Learning Academy Star Boone (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1320 East Ave
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-8080
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Boone County, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Boone County, IL include Poplar Grove Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School and Seth Whitman Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Boone County?
17 public schools are located in Boone County.
What percentage of students in Boone County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Boone County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Boone County?
Boone County public schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Boone County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Boone County include: Belvidere South Middle School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Belvidere High School vs. Belvidere North High School, Perry Elementary School vs. Caledonia Elementary School
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