Morton’s public schools outscore 88% of Illinois districts
53% of students in Morton’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Illinois average (30%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Morton, 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.
Morton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1203 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Morton’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 44% across both districts in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
East Peoria Community High School District 309 spends $19,409 per student and Morton Community Unit School District 709 $15,231, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Morton’s grade
A: better than 88% of Illinois school districts, #85 of 768 Illinois towns. Test scores are above the Illinois average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Morton, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Morton · depends on your address
Lincoln Elem School
Grades PK–6 · 517 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grundy Elem School
Grades PK–6 · 465 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Jefferson Elem School
Grades PK–6 · 354 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Morton
Morton Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 504 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Morton
Morton Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 504 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Morton · depends on your address
Morton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,061 students · 15:1 students per teacher
East Peoria High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in East Peoria
10th grade in Morton · depends on your address
Morton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,061 students · 15:1 students per teacher
East Peoria High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in East Peoria
11th grade in Morton · depends on your address
Morton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,061 students · 15:1 students per teacher
East Peoria High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in East Peoria
12th grade in Morton · depends on your address
Morton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,061 students · 15:1 students per teacher
East Peoria High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in East Peoria
Morton runs its own schools through grade 12 (Morton Community Unit School District 709). From grade 9, students attend the East Peoria Community High School District 309, shared with Creve Coeur, East Peoria, Fondulac and Groveland. Its school is in Morton. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Morton
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Morton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Morton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Morton | A | Morton Community Unit School District 709 PK–12 · East Peoria Community High School District 309 9–12 |
| East Peoria | C | East Peoria School District 86 PK–8 · East Peoria Community High School District 309 9–12 |
| Fondulac | C | East Peoria School District 86 PK–8 · East Peoria Community High School District 309 9–12 |
| Washington | A | Washington School District 52 PK–8 · Central School District 51 PK–8 · Washington Community High School District 308 9–12 |
| Groveland | B | Morton Community Unit School District 709 PK–12 · Pekin Public School District108 PK–8 · East Peoria School District 86 PK–8 |
| Morton Township | — | Morton Community Unit School District 709 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share East Peoria Community High School District 309 with Morton for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Morton
7 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 Morton’s schools
Are Morton’s schools good?
By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Morton children attend outscore 88% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #85 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Morton in?
Two districts: Morton Community Unit School District 709 runs grades PK–12, and East Peoria Community High School District 309 runs grades 9–12, shared with Creve Coeur, East Peoria, Fondulac and Groveland.
Where do Morton kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Morton High School and East Peoria High School.
What is Morton’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in East Peoria Community High School District 309 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Morton spend per student?
$19,409 in East Peoria Community High School District 309 and $15,231 in Morton Community Unit School District 709 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Morton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Morton → 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.