For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 645 students in Ford County, IL.
The top ranked public high schools in Ford County, IL are Gcms High School and Paxton-buckley-loda High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Ford County, IL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 29% statewide average). High schools in Ford County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Illinois public high schools.
Ford County, IL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Gcms High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Ford County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: 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 high schools in Ford County, IL?
The top ranked public high schools in Ford County, IL include Gcms High School and Paxton-buckley-loda High School.
How many public high schools are located in Ford County?
3 public high schools are located in Ford County.
What is the racial composition of students in Ford County?
Ford County public high schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high schools average of 55% (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.