For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 8,779 students in Adams County, IL (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,919 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Adams County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Adams County, IL are Adams County Rssp, Liberty Elementary School and Unity Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Adams County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Adams County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Adams County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Adams County Rssp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1416 Maine St
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7175
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7175
Gr: 7-12
Rank: #22.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 N Park St
Liberty, IL 62347
(217) 645-3481
Liberty, IL 62347
(217) 645-3481
Gr: PK-6 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #33.
Unity Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
136 W Washington St
Mendon, IL 62351
(217) 936-2512
Mendon, IL 62351
(217) 936-2512
Gr: PK-4 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #44.
Central High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2110 Highway 94 N
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 593-7731
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 593-7731
Gr: 9-12 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #55.
Liberty High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
505 N Park St
Liberty, IL 62347
(217) 645-3433
Liberty, IL 62347
(217) 645-3433
Gr: 7-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #66.
Lincoln-douglas Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3211 Payson Rd
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 223-8871
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 223-8871
Gr: K-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Dr. Abby Fox Rooney Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4900 Columbus Rd
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 228-7117
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 228-7117
Gr: K-5 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #88.
Unity Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
453 W Collins St
Mendon, IL 62351
(217) 936-2727
Mendon, IL 62351
(217) 936-2727
Gr: 5-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Thomas S Baldwin Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3000 Maine St, Thomas S Baldwi
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 223-0003
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 223-0003
Gr: K-5 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
Sarah Atwater Denman Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4100 Harrison Street
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 222-2530
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 222-2530
Gr: K-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Colonel George Iles Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3111 N 12th St
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 222-4059
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 222-4059
Gr: K-5 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
Central Junior High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2110 Highway 94 N
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 593-7741
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 593-7741
Gr: 5-8 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1313.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
109 W School St
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 593-7795
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 593-7795
Gr: 1-4 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1414.
Quincy Sr High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3322 Maine St
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 224-3770
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 224-3770
Gr: 9-12 | 1,847 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1515.
Quincy Jr High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 S 14th St
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 222-3073
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 222-3073
Gr: 6-8 | 1,295 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1616.
Unity High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
453 W Collins St
Mendon, IL 62351
(217) 936-2116
Mendon, IL 62351
(217) 936-2116
Gr: 9-12 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Seymour Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
404 W State St
Payson, IL 62360
(217) 656-3323
Payson, IL 62360
(217) 656-3323
Gr: PK-6 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Seymour High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
420 W Brainard St
Payson, IL 62360
(217) 656-3355
Payson, IL 62360
(217) 656-3355
Gr: 7-12 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
Academic Behavior&community Academy
Alternative School
1416 Maine St
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7175
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7175
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Adams Co Juvenile Detention Center
Alternative School
200 N 52nd St
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 223-8700
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 223-8700
Gr: 5-12
Rank: n/an/a
301 Hanna St
Golden, IL 62339
(217) 696-4652
Golden, IL 62339
(217) 696-4652
Gr: PK-K | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
401 S 8th St
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7121
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7121
Gr: PK-K | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Quincy Area Voc Center
Vocational School
219 Baldwin Dr
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 224-3775
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 224-3775
Gr: 10-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Adams County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Adams County, IL include Adams County Rssp, Liberty Elementary School and Unity Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Adams County?
23 public schools are located in Adams County.
What percentage of students in Adams County go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Adams County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Adams County?
Adams County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Adams County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Adams County include: Liberty High School vs. Quincy Sr High School, Central Early Childhood vs. Liberty Elementary School, Quincy Sr High School vs. Liberty High School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
