Top Rankings
Charleston Community Unit School District 1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,652 students in Charleston Community Unit School District 1. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
Public Schools in Charleston Community Unit School District 1 have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 21% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
6 Schools
4,394 Schools
# Students
2,652 Students
1,845,459 Students
# Teachers
176 Teachers
136,638 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Charleston Community Unit School District 1, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 864 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 67% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#675 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
50%
Graduation Rate
67%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.36
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
6%
28%
% Black
7%
17%
% White
79%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,558 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,423. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,663 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$41 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$39 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,558
$22,423
Spending / Student
$14,663
$21,662
Best Charleston Community Unit School District 1 Public Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Carl Sandburg Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1924 Reynolds Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Gr: K-3 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Charleston High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1615 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Charleston Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
920 Smith Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Ashmore Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
313 S Ohio St
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Gr: K-4 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Jefferson Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Gr: 4-6 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: n/an/a
1021 13th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Gr: PK-K | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Charleston Community Unit School District 1?
Charleston Community Unit School District 1 manages 6 public schools serving 2,652 students.
What is the rank of Charleston Community Unit School District 1?
Charleston Community Unit School District 1 is ranked #680 out of 864 school districts in Illinois (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Illinois school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston Community Unit School District 1?
79% of Charleston Community Unit School District 1 students are White, 7% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Charleston Community Unit School District 1?
Charleston Community Unit School District 1 has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What is Charleston Community Unit School District 1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,663 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Charter Schools vs Public Schools 2025: Key Differences & Trends
Explore updated 2025 insights comparing charter schools vs public schools, enrollment, academic outcomes, funding, and real-world examples for families and educators.
Are Public Schools Ready for the 21st Century? 2025 Update
Explore 2025 insights on whether public schools are ready for the 21st century, covering performance, technology, equity, funding, and future-ready learning.
Public School Open House & Enrollment Season Guide
A parent-focused guide to the public school open house and enrollment season, with expert questions, timelines, and decision tips.
