Total enrollment
2,858
-84 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
Fayette County
Illinois · Public K-12
The 15 public K-12 schools in Fayette County cover all standard grade bands (4 elementary, 4 middle, and 7 high), with combined enrollment around 2,858.
7-year change in Fayette County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
-2 (-14%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
93%
was 95%
% Hispanic
2%
was 2%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
15
6 districts
Enrollment
2,858
NCES CCD
Median income
$60,944
Below Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
56.0%
Above Illinois avg
Elementary
4
1,250 students
Middle
4
618 students
High
7
990 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Vandalia CUSD 203
1,465 students · 6 districts in Fayette County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Fayette 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+
17.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.8%
civilian labor
Median age
42
20.4% under 18
Test scores in Fayette County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Ramsey High School· 78.7%
- Ramsey Elem School· 71.1%
- St Elmo Elem School· 59.7%
- Brownstown Jr High School· 55.6%
- St Elmo Jr High School· 53.7%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Brownstown Elem School· 47.0%
- Vandalia Junior High School· 49.5%
- Vandalia Elementary School· 50.5%
- St Elmo Jr High School· 53.7%
- Brownstown Jr High School· 55.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandalia Elementary School | Vandalia | Elementary | PK-03 | 552 | · |
| Vandalia Junior High School | Vandalia | Middle | 04-08 | 502 | · |
| Vandalia Community High School | Vandalia | High | 09-12 | 411 | · |
| Brownstown Elem School | Brownstown | Elementary | PK-06 | 264 | · |
| St Elmo Elem School | Saint Elmo | Elementary | PK-06 | 222 | · |
| Ramsey Elem School | Ramsey | Elementary | PK-05 | 212 | · |
| South Central High School | Farina | High | 09-12 | 183 | · |
| Ramsey High School | Ramsey | High | 06-12 | 181 | · |
| St Elmo Sr High School | Saint Elmo | High | 09-12 | 113 | · |
| Brownstown High School | Brownstown | High | 09-12 | 102 | · |
| Brownstown Jr High School | Brownstown | Middle | 07-08 | 61 | · |
| St Elmo Jr High School | Saint Elmo | Middle | 07-08 | 55 | · |
| FOCUS Safe Sch Program | Vandalia | Middle | 06-09 | 0 | · |
| New Approach Alternative H S | Vandalia | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| Okaw Area Vocational Center | Vandalia | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Fayette County
About Fayette County
In Illinois, Fayette County is a compact county of about 21,315 residents. 15 public schools across the county educates about 2,858 students between them.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $60,944, 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 9%. That income level is 13% noticeably below the Illinois median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Fayette County covers 4 elementary schools (1,250 students), 4 middle schools (618), and 7 high schools (990).
Vandalia CUSD 203 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,465 students across Fayette County.
Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment decreased 3%: 2,942 students in SY 2017-18 versus 2,858 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Fayette County closed 2 schools, going from 14 to 12.
On allk12, the community for Fayette County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
Fayette County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data