Central Grade School

Central Grade School is a mid-sized elementary school in Effingham, Illinois, one of the schools in Effingham CUSD 40. In all, 547 students attend the school in grades 2 through 5. That puts enrollment 44% larger than the 381-student average for elementary schools in Illinois.

Effingham CUSD 40 has 2,261 students in 6 schools, and Central Grade School is one of those schools.

Of every 100 students at Central Grade School, about 88 are White. It is also 8% Hispanic and 2% Black. On a 0 to 100 scale, the school's diversity index is 21, compared with 70 nationally.

There are 42.7 full-time-equivalent teachers at Central Grade School, giving a ratio of 12.8:1. Elementary schools in Illinois have an average ratio of 13.9:1. By family income, 47% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. That rate is above the 37% average among public schools in Effingham County.

Test results at Central Grade School are 2.0 points above what its free or reduced-price lunch share predicts (46.2% actual, 44.2% predicted).

Five-year Census Bureau estimates for Effingham County show that median household income comes to about $80,404, a bachelor's degree or higher is held by about 27% of adults, and the poverty rate is about 7%. The county's public schools total 18, with about 5,063 students.

Central Grade School is about 0.9 miles from Early Learning Center, its nearest public school. Central Grade School has 5 other public schools within five miles. Central Grade School's average proficiency of 46.2% compares with 58.1% for its nearest scored neighbors.

In the federal locale system, Central Grade School is coded Rural: Fringe, for schools in rural territory close to an urban area.

The school's student count decreased 8% between the 2020-21 and 2024-25 school years.

People who know Central Grade School can post here about special education services, counseling, and support programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to post.