Photo: BonkerStonker29 · CC BY-SA 4.0Champaign’s public schools score below 66% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
In Champaign, 24% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Illinois average (30%). The grade covers the public school district serving Champaign, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Champaign’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1118 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Champaign’s, its schools beat 43%, higher than their 34% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,532 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then five middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Champaign’s grade
C: better than 34% of Illinois school districts, #553 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Champaign, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Champaign · depends on your address
International Prep Academy
Grades PK–8 · 681 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Garden Hills Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 411 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Champaign Early Chldhd Cntr
Grades PK · 288 students · 23:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Champaign · depends on your address
Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Centennial High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,476 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Champaign · depends on your address
Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Centennial High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,476 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Champaign · depends on your address
Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Centennial High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,476 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Champaign · depends on your address
Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Centennial High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,476 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Champaign’s public schools are run by Champaign Community Unit School District 4, which also serves Bondville, Champaign City, Champaign and Hensley and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Champaign vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Champaign’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign | C | Champaign Community Unit School District 4 |
| Champaign City | C | Champaign Community Unit School District 4 |
| Champaign Township | B− | Champaign Community Unit School District 4 PK–12 · Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District 3 PK–12 |
| Hensley | B− | Champaign Community Unit School District 4 PK–12 · Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District 3 PK–12 |
| Cunningham | C− | Urbana School District 116 |
| Urbana | C− | Urbana School District 116 |
| Urbana Township | C− | Urbana School District 116 PK–12 · St. Joseph-Ogden Community High School District 305 9–12 |
| Somer | — | Urbana School District 116 PK–12 · Thomasboro Community Consolidated School District 130 PK–8 · Champaign Community Unit School District 4 PK–12 |
| Savoy | C | Champaign Community Unit School District 4 |
5 of the 8 neighbors share Champaign Community Unit School District 4 with Champaign, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Champaign
17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Champaign’s schools
Are Champaign’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Champaign children attend score below 66% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #553 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Champaign in?
Champaign Community Unit School District 4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,598 students in 18 schools (2024–25).
Where do Champaign kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Central High School and Centennial High School.
What is Champaign’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Champaign Community Unit School District 4 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Champaign spend per student?
$21,532 in Champaign Community Unit School District 4 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Champaign families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Champaign → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.