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Prairie Central Elementary School

Q: Is Prairie Central Elementary School a good school?

Prairie Central Elementary School ranks 891 st of 2056 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 2-4

891^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,056 Illinois Elementary Schools

Better than 57% of Illinois elementary schools

Summary

Prairie Central Elementary School in Fairbury, IL, serves 367 students in grades 2 through 4 and is part of the Prairie Central CUSD 8 district, which is ranked in the 50th percentile statewide. The school has shown a strong upward trend, rebounding to the 57th percentile in 2024-2025 after a dip the previous year, and it stands out for its exceptional chronic absenteeism rate of just 11.0%—the lowest among comparable schools in the area, compared to rates of 26.6% and 26.4% at nearby Lincoln Elementary School and Washington Elementary School in Pontiac. This low absenteeism rate, less than half the state average, reflects a strong culture of attendance and student engagement.

Prairie Central Elementary demonstrates notable strengths in supporting specific student groups. Its performance for disabled students ranks in the 61st percentile, indicating effective targeted support systems. Additionally, the school has achieved a dramatic turnaround for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, jumping from the 28th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 57th percentile in 2024-2025—a 29-percentile-point leap that suggests recent interventions are working well. However, a key area for improvement is the performance of white students, who rank in the 28th percentile, the lowest-performing subgroup at the school. This contrast highlights that the school’s overall success is driven by its ability to support specific subgroups rather than its general education population.

An interesting pattern emerges in math proficiency, where 4th graders show a significant drop to 29.1% proficiency compared to 3rd graders at 45.4%, a "math cliff" not seen in English Language Arts. Despite having a higher student-teacher ratio (12.3) than nearby Pontiac schools, Prairie Central outperforms them significantly, suggesting greater instructional efficiency. The school also demonstrates strong fiscal efficiency, achieving a higher ranking (57th percentile) than Saunemin Elementary School (37th percentile) and Odell Grade School (45th percentile), despite spending less than half per student ($12,077 vs. $27,533 and $23,896, respectively). This efficiency, combined with a successful multi-year effort to reduce post-pandemic chronic absenteeism from 25.8% to 11.0%, paints a picture of a school that is effectively using its resources to foster student success.

367

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,077

Per pupil spending ?

44.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

600 S 1st St
Fairbury, IL 61739-1558

(815) 692-2623

District: Prairie Central CUSD 8

Students who attend Prairie Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Prairie Central Junior High School
	Prairie Central Upper Elementary
High:	Prairie Central High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

85.6%

Hispanic:

8.7%

Two or more races:

4.9%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Prairie Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 54th percentile in 2015 → 57th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Illinois median (57th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school49%

District avg50%

Illinois avg46%

891^st of 2,056

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Top 43%▲ up 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

409^th of 811Prairie Central CUSD 8 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	55.8	891 of 2056	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.5	1163 of 2067	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.6	1040 of 2077	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.4	941 of 2082	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	55.8	739 of 1948	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.1	754 of 2086	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.4	660 of 2037	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	65.1	649 of 2044	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	83.2	307 of 2046	85.0%	★★★★☆
2015	48.2	947 of 2052	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	47.5	1160 of 2093	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	65.7	789 of 2167	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	79.1	387 of 2166	82.1%	★★★★☆
2011	81.7	284 of 2147	86.8%	★★★★☆
2010	71.8	673 of 2139	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	73.8	609 of 2120	71.3%	★★★★☆
2008	76.2	493 of 2092	76.4%	★★★★☆
2007	83.3	164 of 2095	92.2%	★★★★★
2006	77.3	408 of 2086	80.4%	★★★★☆
2005	84.3	147 of 2022	92.7%	★★★★★
2004	68.1	747 of 2030	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2003	69.8	713 of 2020	64.7%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	51.7	413 of 1049	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.4	336 of 886	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.2	384 of 907	57.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	53.8	857 of 1942	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	35.0	1195 of 1942	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.7	851 of 1957	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.5	843 of 1970	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.9	844 of 1680	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	58.4	772 of 2019	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.8	716 of 1964	63.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	54.6	766 of 1800	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	30.6	1296 of 1793	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	47.4	880 of 1808	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.7	804 of 1763	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.6	356 of 1514	76.5%	★★★★☆
2019	66.0	436 of 1816	76.0%	★★★★☆
2018	65.3	435 of 1765	75.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	56.2	820 of 1947	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	43.2	1014 of 1959	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.9	1113 of 1984	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.5	952 of 1977	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.6	595 of 1707	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.1	659 of 2019	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.1	550 of 1972	72.1%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	40.5	688 of 1292	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.6	671 of 1195	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.1	639 of 1156	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	61.0	275 of 1113	75.3%	★★★★☆
2021	48.1	279 of 640	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	38.4	664 of 1194	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	53.0	250 of 763	67.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	33.6	996 of 1389	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.4	1152 of 1392	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.3	1076 of 1419	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.6	1033 of 1425	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	40.0	778 of 1308	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.1	846 of 1462	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.8	711 of 1463	51.4%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2025)61st percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)58th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)57th percentile~ school

Female (2025)56th percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)47th percentile-10 vs school

White (2025)28th percentile-28 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts59%+6 vs state

Mathematics38%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Prairie Central Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)	IAR English Language Arts (2025)					IAR Mathematics (2025)					% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Pneumococcal (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	IAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	IAR Mathematics 4th Grade	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Pneumococcal All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Prairie Central Elementary School	Public	2-4	600 S 1st St	Fairbury	61739	Livingston County	Prairie Central CUSD 8	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 692-2623	367	30	12.3	44.4%	314 (85.6%)	3 (0.8%)	32 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.9%)	55.8	891^st of 2056 public elementary schools	56.7%		39.5	1163^rd of 2067 public elementary schools	43.7%	272		56.9	61.8			59.2	45.4	29.1			37.9	97.8	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.9	98.1	97.8			$12,077	$224	$11,853
Prairie Central Primary West	Public	PK, KG-1	700 S Division St	Chenoa	61726	McLean County	Prairie Central CUSD 8	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 945-2971	244	17	14.5	45.1%	207 (84.8%)	3 (1.2%)	15 (6.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.4%)								(n/a)												98.0	97.6	97.6	97.6	98.8	97.6	98.0	32.9		$14,298	$329	$13,969
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	2-3	514 S Main St	Pontiac	61764	Livingston County	Pontiac CCSD 429	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 844-3924	227	21	10.9	50.2%	159 (70.0%)	6 (2.6%)	43 (18.9%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (7.5%)								(n/a)		33.6				33.6	30.0				30.0	97.2	97.6	98.1	98.1		97.6	97.6			$18,530	$864	$17,666
Washington Elementary School	Public	4-5	400 N Morrow St	Pontiac	61764	Livingston County	Pontiac CCSD 429	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 844-3687	221	22	10.2	52.0%	179 (81.0%)	6 (2.7%)	18 (8.1%)	3 (1.4%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (5.9%)	34.3	1335^th of 2056 public elementary schools	35.1%		28.2	1461^st of 2067 public elementary schools	29.3%	126	32.2		42.9	39.0		40.7		30.8	20.3		24.9	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0			$18,006	$1,527	$16,479
Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	117 W Livingston St	Pontiac	61764	Livingston County	Pontiac CCSD 429	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 844-3023	361	27	13.3	67.3%	275 (76.2%)	12 (3.3%)	47 (13.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.9%)								(n/a)												95.1	94.8	95.1	95.1	30.6	95.1	95.1	30.6		$18,552	$964	$17,589
Prairie Central Primary East	Public	PK, KG-1	407 S 4th St	Chatsworth	60921	Livingston County	Prairie Central CUSD 8	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 635-3555	148	13	11.1	62.8%	118 (79.7%)	2 (1.4%)	22 (14.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.1%)								(n/a)												90.6	89.9	89.9	89.9	90.6	89.9	89.3	32.7		$17,879	$952	$16,927
Saunemin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	39 Main St	Saunemin	61769	Livingston County	Saunemin CCSD 438	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 832-4421	102	13	7.8	59.8%	91 (89.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.9%)	36.6	1287^th of 2056 public elementary schools	37.4%		36	1247^th of 2067 public elementary schools	39.7%	40	50.0	35.7	50.0	40.0	43.8	48.5	21.4	25.0	20.0	37.5	30.9	96.6	96.6	96.6	96.6	100.0	96.6	95.8		33.9	$27,533	$656	$26,877
Ridgeview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 S Harrison St	Colfax	61728	McLean County	Ridgeview CUSD 19	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 723-6531	247	22	11.2	53.0%	219 (88.7%)	1 (0.4%)	12 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.1%)	42.7	1150^th of 2056 public elementary schools	44.1%		28.4	1449^th of 2067 public elementary schools	29.9%	299	46.2	35.7	22.6	71.8		45.9	28.6	32.3	30.8		30.6	95.6	95.6	95.6	95.6	96.4	94.4	95.6	13.3		$22,174	$2,882	$19,292
Lexington Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	100 E Wall St	Lexington	61753	McLean County	Lexington CUSD 7	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 365-2741	238	20	12.1	24.8%	220 (92.4%)	2 (0.8%)	4 (1.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.6%)	72.3	547^th of 2056 public elementary schools	73.4%		77.6	427^th of 2067 public elementary schools	79.3%	120	71.9	55.6	56.4	90.6		66.4	50.0	33.3	59.4		46.7	98.6	98.1	98.1	98.1	98.6	98.6	98.6	11.7		$14,779	$393	$14,386
Graymont Elementary School	Public	K-8	228 Lydia St	Graymont	61743	Livingston County	Rooks Creek CCSD 425	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(815) 743-5346	52	8	6.6	13.5%	49 (94.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)						71.4					46.4	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0		21.0	$24,456	$3,683	$20,773

Frequently Asked Questions about Prairie Central Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Prairie Central Elementary School?

Students at Prairie Central Elementary School are 86% White, 9% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Prairie Central Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Prairie Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Prairie Central Junior High School
Middle : Prairie Central Upper Elementary
High : Prairie Central High School

How many students attend Prairie Central Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 367 students attended Prairie Central Elementary School.

Is Prairie Central Elementary School a good school?

Prairie Central Elementary School ranks 891^st of 2056 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Prairie Central Elementary School in?

Prairie Central CUSD 8

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Latest Illinois data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 30, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 30, 2025

2024–25 ACT, IAR, ISA & PreACT Secure test scoresOct 30, 2025

2023–24 school spending dataOct 30, 2024

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.