For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 2,411 students in Stephenson County, IL.
The top-ranked public preschools in Stephenson County, IL are Dakota Elementary School, Center Elementary School and Lena-winslow Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stephenson County, IL public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Illinois public pre school average of 23%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 25% statewide average). Pre schools in Stephenson County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschool average of 58% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Stephenson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dakota Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Campus Dr
Dakota, IL 61018
(844) 632-5682
Dakota, IL 61018
(844) 632-5682
Gr: PK-6 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Center Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
718 E Illinois St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0480
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0480
Gr: PK-4 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Lena-winslow Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Fremont St
Lena, IL 61048
(815) 369-2525
Lena, IL 61048
(815) 369-2525
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Pearl City Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 S Summit St
Pearl City, IL 61062
(815) 443-2715
Pearl City, IL 61062
(815) 443-2715
Gr: PK-6 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
Orangeville Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
201 S Orange St
Orangeville, IL 61060
(815) 789-4613
Orangeville, IL 61060
(815) 789-4613
Gr: PK-5 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #66.
Blackhawk Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1401 S Blackhawk Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0490
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0490
Gr: PK-4 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Empire Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1325 Empire St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0380
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0380
Gr: PK-4 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Lincoln-douglas Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1700 W Laurel St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0370
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0370
Gr: PK-4 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Stephenson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Banks-bergagna Education Center (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
302 West Exchange St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 235-8027
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 235-8027
Gr: 6-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Career & Technical Education Consolidated High School (Closed 2013)
Vocational School
2037 West Galena Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0709
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0709
Gr: 9-12
806 E Stephenson St
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0390
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0390
Gr: PK-4
501 School St
Winslow, IL 61089
(815) 367-2045
Winslow, IL 61089
(815) 367-2045
Gr: PK-K | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Stephenson County, IL?
The top-ranked public preschools in Stephenson County, IL include Dakota Elementary School, Center Elementary School and Lena-winslow Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Stephenson County?
8 public preschools are located in Stephenson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Stephenson County?
Stephenson County public preschools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschools average of 58% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Stephenson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Stephenson County include: Empire Elementary School vs. Center Elementary School, Lincoln-douglas Elementary School vs. Center Elementary School, Center Elementary School vs. Empire Elementary School
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