For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,048 students in Mercer County, IL (there are 1 private school, serving 30 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Mercer County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Mercer County, IL are United Elementary School - North, Winola Elementary School and Sherrard Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mercer County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Mercer County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Mercer County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
United Elementary School - North
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
411 W Hunt Ave
Alexis, IL 61412
(309) 482-3332
Alexis, IL 61412
(309) 482-3332
Gr: PK-3 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Winola Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1804 17th Ave
Viola, IL 61486
(309) 596-2114
Viola, IL 61486
(309) 596-2114
Gr: PK-4 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Sherrard Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
209 1st St
Sherrard, IL 61281
(309) 593-2917
Sherrard, IL 61281
(309) 593-2917
Gr: K-4 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Sherrard Jr High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4701 176th Ave
Sherrard, IL 61281
(309) 593-2135
Sherrard, IL 61281
(309) 593-2135
Gr: 7-8 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Matherville Intermediate School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1376 252nd St
Matherville, IL 61263
(309) 754-8244
Matherville, IL 61263
(309) 754-8244
Gr: 5-6 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Sherrard High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4701 176th Ave
Sherrard, IL 61281
(309) 593-2175
Sherrard, IL 61281
(309) 593-2175
Gr: 9-12 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Mercer County Jr High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 Sw 6th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 584-4174
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 584-4174
Gr: 6-8 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Mercer County High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 S College Ave
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2223
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2223
Gr: 9-12 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
New Boston Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 Jefferson St
New Boston, IL 61272
(309) 587-8141
New Boston, IL 61272
(309) 587-8141
Gr: K-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1010.
Apollo Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
801 Sw 9th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
203 N Washington St
Joy, IL 61260
(309) 584-5001
Joy, IL 61260
(309) 584-5001
Gr: PK | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Mercer County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Mercer County, IL include United Elementary School - North, Winola Elementary School and Sherrard Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Mercer County?
12 public schools are located in Mercer County.
What percentage of students in Mercer County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Mercer County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mercer County?
Mercer County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
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