For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 5,036 students in Monroe County, IL (there are 3 private schools, serving 932 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Monroe County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Monroe County, IL are Parkview Elementary School, Rogers Elementary School and Waterloo Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Monroe County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Monroe County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% 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 Monroe County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Veterans Pkwy
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-4997
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-4997
Gr: 2-4 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
200 Rogers St
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3454
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3454
Gr: 2-3 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Waterloo Junior High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Bellefontaine Dr
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3457
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3457
Gr: 6-8 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Gardner Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Ed Gardner Pl
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3060
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3060
Gr: 4-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Waterloo High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 E Bulldog
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3455
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3455
Gr: 9-12 | 876 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Columbia High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
77 Veterans Pkwy
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-5001
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-5001
Gr: 9-12 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Columbia Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Eagle Dr
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-4993
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-4993
Gr: 5-8 | 612 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Valmeyer Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 S Cedar Bluff Dr
Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2100
Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2100
Gr: PK-5 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Valmeyer High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 S Cedar Bluff Dr
Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2100
Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2100
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1010.
Valmeyer Jr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 S Cedar Bluff Dr
Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2100
Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: n/an/a
113 S Rapp Ave
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-4995
Columbia, IL 62236
(618) 281-4995
Gr: PK-1 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
301 Hamacher St
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3458
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3458
Gr: PK-1 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Monroe County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Monroe County, IL include Parkview Elementary School, Rogers Elementary School and Waterloo Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Monroe County?
12 public schools are located in Monroe County.
What percentage of students in Monroe County go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Monroe County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Monroe County?
Monroe 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 Monroe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Monroe County include: Valmeyer High School vs. Columbia High School, Valmeyer High School vs. Waterloo High School, Valmeyer Elementary School vs. W J Zahnow Elementary 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.