For the 2025-26 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,228 students in 61081, IL (there are , serving 441 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in 61081, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in 61081, IL are Bi-county-3-5 Life Skills-merrill, Washington Elementary School and Challand Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø schools in zipcode 61081 have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 19% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in 61081, IL have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best 61081, IL ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bi-county-3-5 Life Skills-merrill
Special Education School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
815 W Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Rank: #22.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
815 W Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-2372
Gr: 3-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Challand Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #44.
Sterling High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1608 4th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800
Gr: 9-12 | 996 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1501 E 6th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1449
Gr: 3-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: n/an/a
Bi-county Sp Ed-transition Life S
Special Education School
1900 W Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-0858
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-0858
Rank: n/an/a
Bi-county Sped High School
Special Education School
1608 5th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-8510
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-8510
Rank: n/an/a
Bi-county-k-2 Life Skills-dillon
Special Education School
806 E Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Rank: n/an/a
1510 E 25th St
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-5755
Gr: PK-2 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
806 E Le Fevre Rd
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6402
Gr: PK-2 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
Whiteside Area Career
Vocational School
1608 5th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-5810
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-5810
Gr: 11-12
61081, Illinois ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Bi-county Sp Ed-hi Middle School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Bi-county Sp Education - High School Life Skills-sterling (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
bi-county sp Educational hi high (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1608 4th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-6800
bi-county sp Educational preschool program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
506 W 4th St Ste B
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-0858
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-0858
Whiteside Area Career Center (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
1608 5th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 632-0556
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 632-0556
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in 61081, IL?
The top ranked public schools in 61081, IL include Bi-county-3-5 Life Skills-merrill, Washington Elementary School and Challand Middle School.
How many public schools are located in 61081?
11 public schools are located in 61081.
What percentage of students in 61081 go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in 61081 are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in 61081?
61081 public schools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
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