Mary's River Covered Bridge · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainChester’s public schools score below 54% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
In Chester, 12% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Chester, 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.
Chester’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 30% and math 12% in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,112 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one high school
From grade 9 the district’s path is Chester High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. John Lutheran School (private) and St. Mary's Catholic School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Chester’s grade
B−: better than 46% of Illinois school districts, #481 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chester, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Chester
Chester Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 640 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Chester
Chester High School
Grades 9–12 · 335 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Chester
Chester High School
Grades 9–12 · 335 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Chester
Chester High School
Grades 9–12 · 335 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Chester
Chester High School
Grades 9–12 · 335 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Chester’s public schools are run by Chester Community Unit School District 139, which also serves Ellis Grove, Kaskaskia and Rockwood. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Chester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Chester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chester | B− | Chester Community Unit School District 139 |
Every school in Chester
4 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 Chester’s schools
Are Chester’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Chester children attend score below 54% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #481 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 45%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chester in?
Chester Community Unit School District 139, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 975 students in 2 schools (2024–25).
Where do Chester kids go to high school?
Chester High School, with 335 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Chester’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Chester Community Unit School District 139 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Chester spend per student?
$15,112 in Chester Community Unit School District 139 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Chester?
Yes: St. John Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 86 students) and St. Mary's Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 85 students).
Parents talk
What Chester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chester → 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.