Photo: Gerald Roll · Public domainEffingham’s public schools score below 51% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Effingham’s districts is 18%, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Effingham, 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.
Effingham’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 18% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois (the state reports Effingham’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,887 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Central Grade School, then Effingham Junior High School, then Effingham High School. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. 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 Effingham’s grade
B−: better than 49% of Illinois school districts, #460 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 Effingham, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Effingham
Effingham Unit 40 Preschool
Grades PK · 121 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Effingham
Early Learning Center
Grades K · 175 students · 11:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Effingham
South Side Grade School
Grades 1–2 · 248 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Effingham · depends on your address
Central Grade School
Grades 2–5 · 547 students · 13:1 students per teacher
South Side Grade School
Grades 1–2 · 248 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Effingham
Central Grade School
Grades 2–5 · 547 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Effingham
Central Grade School
Grades 2–5 · 547 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Effingham
Central Grade School
Grades 2–5 · 547 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Effingham
Effingham Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 458 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Effingham
Effingham Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 458 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Effingham
Effingham Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 458 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Effingham
Effingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 712 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Effingham
Effingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 712 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Effingham
Effingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 712 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Effingham
Effingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 712 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Effingham’s public schools are run by Effingham Community Unit School District 40, which also serves Douglas, Edgewood, Jackson and Mason and others. Parts of Effingham (6% of its land) are served by Teutopolis Community Unit School District 50 instead. 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.
Below the state in reading
Effingham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Effingham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Effingham | B− | Effingham Community Unit School District 40 |
| Douglas | B+ | Teutopolis Community Unit School District 50 PK–12 · Effingham Community Unit School District 40 PK–12 |
| Summit | B− | Effingham Community Unit School District 40 PK–12 · Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 PK–12 |
| Teutopolis | A+ | Teutopolis Community Unit School District 50 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Effingham Community Unit School District 40 with Effingham, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Effingham
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 Effingham’s schools
Are Effingham’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Effingham children attend score below 51% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #460 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Effingham in?
Effingham Community Unit School District 40, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,261 students in 6 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Effingham are served by Teutopolis Community Unit School District 50.
Where do Effingham kids go to high school?
Effingham High School, with 712 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Effingham’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Effingham Community Unit School District 40 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Effingham spend per student?
$16,887 in Effingham Community Unit School District 40 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Effingham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Effingham → 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.