Lamoine Hotel · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMacomb’s public schools score below 52% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
19% of students in Macomb’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Macomb, 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.
Macomb’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 465 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Macomb’s, its schools beat 66%, higher than their 48% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% 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 Macomb’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,427 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 3 the district’s path is Edison Elementary School, then Macomb Middle School, then Macomb Senior High School. Enrollment is up 9% 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 Macomb’s grade
B−: better than 48% of Illinois school districts, #467 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 Macomb, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Macomb
MacArthur Early Childhood Center
Grades PK · 127 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Macomb
Lincoln Elem School
Grades K–2 · 412 students · 10:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Macomb
Lincoln Elem School
Grades K–2 · 412 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Macomb
Lincoln Elem School
Grades K–2 · 412 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Macomb
Macomb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 479 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Macomb
Macomb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 479 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Macomb
Macomb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 479 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Macomb
Macomb Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 660 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Macomb
Macomb Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 660 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Macomb’s public schools are run by Macomb Community Unit School District 185, which also serves Bardolph, Chalmers, Emmet and Macomb City 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.
Below the state in reading
Macomb vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Macomb’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Macomb | B− | Macomb Community Unit School District 185 |
| Macomb City | B− | Macomb Community Unit School District 185 |
| Emmet | — | Macomb Community Unit School District 185 PK–12 · West Prairie Community Unit School District 103 PK–12 |
| Scotland | — | Macomb Community Unit School District 185 |
| Macomb Township | — | Macomb Community Unit School District 185 |
| Chalmers | — | Macomb Community Unit School District 185 PK–12 · West Prairie Community Unit School District 103 PK–12 |
All 5 neighbors share Macomb Community Unit School District 185 with Macomb, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Macomb
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 Macomb’s schools
Are Macomb’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Macomb children attend score below 52% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #467 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 66%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Macomb in?
Macomb Community Unit School District 185, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,075 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Macomb kids go to high school?
Macomb Senior High School, with 660 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Macomb’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Macomb Community Unit School District 185 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Macomb spend per student?
$18,427 in Macomb Community Unit School District 185 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Macomb families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Macomb → 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.