For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 5,570 students in Franklin County, IL (there are 4 private schools, serving 165 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Franklin County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Franklin County, IL are Ewing-northern Elementary School, Sesser-valier Elementary School and Akin Comm Cons Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Franklin County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Franklin County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Franklin County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ewing-northern Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
51 N Main St
Ewing, IL 62836
(618) 629-2181
Ewing, IL 62836
(618) 629-2181
Gr: PK-8 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #22.
Sesser-valier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4626 State Highway 154
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Gr: PK-5 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Akin Comm Cons Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21962 Akin Blacktop
Thompsonville, IL 62890
(618) 627-2180
Thompsonville, IL 62890
(618) 627-2180
Gr: PK-8 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #44.
Sesser-valier Jr High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4626 State Highway 154
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Gr: 6-8 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Benton Grade School K-4
(Math: 25% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 E Mckenzie St
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 438-7181
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 438-7181
Gr: PK-4 | 571 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Christopher Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
501 S Snider St
Christopher, IL 62822
(618) 724-7604
Christopher, IL 62822
(618) 724-7604
Gr: PK-8 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
Sesser-valier High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4626 State Highway 154
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Gr: 9-12 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Thompsonville High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
21191 Shawneetown Rd
Thompsonville, IL 62890
(618) 627-2446
Thompsonville, IL 62890
(618) 627-2446
Gr: 9-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #99.
Benton Grade School 5-8
(Math: 24% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Forrest St
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 438-4011
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 438-4011
Gr: 5-8 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1010.
Benton Cons High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
511 E Main St
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 439-3103
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 439-3103
Gr: 9-12 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Central Jr High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1600 E 9th St
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-2444
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-2444
Gr: 7-8 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Frankfort Intermediate School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 N Cherry St
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-1412
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-1412
Gr: 3-6 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Thompsonville Grade School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
21191 Shawneetown Rd
Thompsonville, IL 62890
(618) 627-2446
Thompsonville, IL 62890
(618) 627-2446
Gr: PK-8 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Zeigler-royalton Jr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4877 State Highway 148
Mulkeytown, IL 62865
(618) 596-2121
Mulkeytown, IL 62865
(618) 596-2121
Gr: 6-8 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1515.
Frankfort Comm High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
601 E Main St
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 932-3126
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 932-3126
Gr: 9-12 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1616.
Zeigler-royalton High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4989 State Highway 148
Mulkeytown, IL 62865
(618) 596-5841
Mulkeytown, IL 62865
(618) 596-5841
Gr: 9-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1717.
Zeigler-royalton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4877 State Highway 148
Mulkeytown, IL 62865
(618) 596-2121
Mulkeytown, IL 62865
(618) 596-2121
Gr: PK-5 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1818.
Christopher High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 Bearcat Dr
Christopher, IL 62822
(618) 724-9461
Christopher, IL 62822
(618) 724-9461
Gr: 9-12 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Communication Disorders / Autism Franklin County
Special Education School
4626 Il-154
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 438-1353
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 438-1353
Rank: n/an/a
1401 W 6th St
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-2464
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-2464
Gr: PK-2 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Franklin-jefferson Sped Social Em
Special Education School
501 S Snider St
Christopher, IL 62822
(618) 663-5279
Christopher, IL 62822
(618) 663-5279
Gr: K-4
Rank: n/an/a
Starquest Academy Rssp North
Alternative School
901 Public Sq
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 983-6628
Benton, IL 62812
(618) 983-6628
Gr: 6-8
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Franklin County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Franklin County, IL include Ewing-northern Elementary School, Sesser-valier Elementary School and Akin Comm Cons Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Franklin County?
24 public schools are located in Franklin County.
What percentage of students in Franklin County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Franklin County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Franklin County?
Franklin County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Franklin County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Franklin County include: Akin Comm Cons Elementary School vs. Thompsonville Grade School, Benton Grade School 5-8 vs. Frankfort Intermediate School, Benton Grade School 5-8 vs. Zeigler-royalton Jr High School
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