Total enrollment
2,181
+59 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Cass County
Illinois · Public K-12
Cass County's public-school directory totals 8 schools, with student enrollment near 2,352. Beardstown Cusd 15 is the largest district. Median household income runs around $68,125. By level, that breaks down as 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Cass County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
-1 (-12%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Cass County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Illinois | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 23.0% | #88 of 88 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,352 | #69 of 89 | #2,069 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 8 | #69 of 89 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.4:1 | #86 of 89 | #1,885 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 68.8% | #3 of 89 | #785 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 66.8% | #9 of 89 | #245 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Cass County school rankings
Residents
12,784
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
8
3 districts
Enrollment
2,352
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$68,125
Below Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
68.8%
Above Illinois avg
Elementary
4
1,191 students
Middle
1
89 students
High
3
1,072 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Beardstown CUSD 15
1,702 students · 3 districts in Cass County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Cass County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
20.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.2%
civilian labor
Median age
38
24.4% under 18
Test scores in Cass County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Virginia Jr/ Sr High School· 59.5%
- A-C Central Elementary School· 56.5%
- Virginia Elem School· 44.3%
- A-C Central Middle School· 40.4%
- Beardstown Jr/Sr High School· 25.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Gard Elementary School· 12.3%
- Beardstown Jr/Sr High School· 25.2%
- A-C Central Middle School· 40.4%
- Virginia Elem School· 44.3%
- A-C Central Elementary School· 56.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beardstown Jr/Sr High School | Beardstown | High | 05-12 | 820 | · |
| Gard Elementary School | Beardstown | Elementary | PK-04 | 711 | · |
| Virginia Elem School | Virginia | Elementary | PK-05 | 180 | · |
| Grand Ave Sch | Beardstown | Elementary | PK-PK | 171 | · |
| Virginia Jr/ Sr High School | Virginia | High | 06-12 | 156 | · |
| A-C Central Elementary School | Chandlerville | Elementary | PK-04 | 129 | · |
| A-C Central High School | Ashland | High | 09-12 | 96 | · |
| A-C Central Middle School | Ashland | Middle | 05-08 | 89 | · |
Cities in Cass County
About Cass County
Cass County is a thinly populated county of about 12,784 residents in Illinois. Its public-school system educates approximately 2,352 students across 8 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $68,125 a year, roughly 21% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
Looking at the level breakdown, Cass County covers 4 elementary schools (1,191 students), 1 middle school (89), and 3 high schools (1,072).
Beardstown CUSD 15 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,702 students across Cass County.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment expanded 3%: 2,122 students in SY 2020-21 versus 2,181 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Cass County closed 1 school, going from 8 to 7.
On allk12, the community for Cass County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data