For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,515 students in Carbondale, IL (there are , serving 190 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Carbondale, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Carbondale, IL are Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Carbondale Comm High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carbondale, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Carbondale have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools in Carbondale, IL (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Giant City Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1062 Boskydell Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Grades: PK-8
| 242 students
Rank: #22.
Unity Point Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4033 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Grades: PK-8
| 660 students
Rank: #33.
Carbondale Comm High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1301 E Walnut St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-3371
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-3371
Grades: 9-12
| 995 students
Rank: #44.
Lewis School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 S Lewis Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Grades: 4-5
| 309 students
Rank: #55.
Thomas Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1025 N Wall St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-6226
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-6226
Grades: 2-3
| 366 students
Rank: #66.
Carbondale Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1150 E Grand Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Grades: 6-8
| 468 students
Rank: n/an/a
Eurma C Hayes Center
Special Education School
441 E Willow St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 684-2109
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 684-2109
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
121 N Parrish Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5781
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5781
Grades: PK-1
| 475 students
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-carbondale High School
Special Education School
330 S Giant City Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-4722
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-4722
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse-unity Point Elementary School
Special Education School
4033 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Carbondale, Illinois ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
801 S Lewis Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Grades: 4-5
| 272 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Carbondale, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Carbondale, IL include Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Carbondale Comm High School.
How many public schools are located in Carbondale?
10 public schools are located in Carbondale.
What percentage of students in Carbondale go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Carbondale are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carbondale?
Carbondale public schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Carbondale are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carbondale include: Unity Point Elementary School vs. Giant City Elementary School, Giant City Elementary School vs. Unity Point Elementary School, Carbondale Middle School vs. Giant City Elementary School
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