For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,491 students in Ford County, IL (there are , serving 16 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Ford County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Ford County, IL are Gcms Middle School, Gcms High School and Paxton-buckley-loda Jr High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Ford County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Ford County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Ford County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gcms Middle School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
316 E 19th St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-8731
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-8731
Grades: 6-8
| 214 students
Rank: #22.
Gcms High School
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
815 N Church St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-4292
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-4292
Grades: 9-12
| 271 students
Rank: #33.
Paxton-buckley-loda Jr High School
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 Panther Way
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-9202
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-9202
Grades: 6-8
| 279 students
Rank: #44.
Gcms Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
902 N Church St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-4278
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-4278
Grades: PK-5
| 498 students
Rank: #55.
Tri Point Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
101 Main St
Kempton, IL 60946
(815) 253-6299
Kempton, IL 60946
(815) 253-6299
Grades: PK-3
| 125 students
Rank: #66.
Paxton-buckley-loda High School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
700 Panther Way
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-4331
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-4331
Grades: 9-12
| 374 students
Rank: #77.
Clara Peterson Elementary School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
580 E Franklin St
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-2531
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-2531
Grades: PK-5
| 585 students
Rank: #88.
Tri-point Jr High/elementary
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
519 S Margaret Ave
Piper City, IL 60959
(815) 686-2247
Piper City, IL 60959
(815) 686-2247
Grades: 4-8
| 145 students
Rank: n/an/a
Panther Academy
Alternative School
430 S High St
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-3314
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-3314
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Ford County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
112 West 12th St
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-8505
Gibson City, IL 60936
(217) 784-8505
Grades: PK
| n/a students
P O Box 50
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 386-2712
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 386-2712
Grades: 4-5
| 225 students
West Lawn School (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
425 E Orleans
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-2411
Paxton, IL 60957
(217) 379-2411
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Ford County, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Ford County, IL include Gcms Middle School, Gcms High School and Paxton-buckley-loda Jr High School.
How many public schools are located in Ford County?
9 public schools are located in Ford County.
What percentage of students in Ford County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Ford County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Ford County?
Ford County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.