Photo: Jimmy Thomas · CC BY-SA 2.0Galesburg’s public schools score below 83% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
In Galesburg, 13% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Galesburg, 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.
Galesburg’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 20% of tested students were proficient in reading and 13% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,983 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Galesburg Jr High School, then Galesburg Senior High School. 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 Galesburg’s grade
C−: better than 17% of Illinois school districts, #663 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 Galesburg, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Galesburg
Bright Futures Pre-K Prog
Grades PK–K · 176 students · 22:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Galesburg · depends on your address
Steele School
Grades K–4 · 542 students · 13:1 students per teacher
King School
Grades K–4 · 510 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Silas Willard Elem School
Grades K–4 · 425 students · 11:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Galesburg · depends on your address
Steele School
Grades K–4 · 542 students · 13:1 students per teacher
King School
Grades K–4 · 510 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Silas Willard Elem School
Grades K–4 · 425 students · 11:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Galesburg · depends on your address
Steele School
Grades K–4 · 542 students · 13:1 students per teacher
King School
Grades K–4 · 510 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Silas Willard Elem School
Grades K–4 · 425 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Galesburg · depends on your address
Steele School
Grades K–4 · 542 students · 13:1 students per teacher
King School
Grades K–4 · 510 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Silas Willard Elem School
Grades K–4 · 425 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Galesburg
Lombard Middle School
Grades 5–6 · 534 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Galesburg
Lombard Middle School
Grades 5–6 · 534 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Galesburg
Galesburg Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 518 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Galesburg
Galesburg Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 518 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Galesburg
Galesburg Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,158 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Galesburg
Galesburg Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,158 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Galesburg
Galesburg Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,158 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Galesburg
Galesburg Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,158 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Galesburg’s public schools are run by Galesburg Community Unit School District 205, which also serves Cedar, Coldbrook, Galesburg City and Galesburg and others. Parts of Galesburg (4% of its land) are served by Knoxville Community Unit School District 202 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.
Well below the state in reading
Galesburg vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Galesburg’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Galesburg | C− | Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 |
| Galesburg City | C− | Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 |
| Galesburg Township | — | Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 |
| Henderson | C− | Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 |
| Knox | B | Knoxville Community Unit School District 202 |
| Knoxville | B | Knoxville Community Unit School District 202 |
| East Galesburg | — | Knoxville Community Unit School District 202 |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 with Galesburg, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Galesburg
6 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 Galesburg’s schools
Are Galesburg’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Galesburg children attend score below 83% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #663 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Galesburg in?
Galesburg Community Unit School District 205, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,863 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Galesburg are served by Knoxville Community Unit School District 202.
Where do Galesburg kids go to high school?
Galesburg Senior High School, with 1,158 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Galesburg’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Galesburg spend per student?
$16,983 in Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Galesburg families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Galesburg → 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.