Total enrollment
5,006
-166 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
Monroe County
Illinois · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Monroe County number 14 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 358 students per campus. By level, that breaks down as 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Monroe County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
-2 (-14%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
93%
was 95%
% Hispanic
3%
was 2%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
14
4 districts
Enrollment
5,006
NCES CCD
Median income
$102,880
Above Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
18.9%
Below Illinois avg
Elementary
6
2,116 students
Middle
3
1,302 students
High
5
1,588 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Waterloo CUSD 5
2,767 students · 4 districts in Monroe County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Monroe 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+
38.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.9%
civilian labor
Median age
43
21.8% under 18
Test scores in Monroe County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Parkview Elementary School· 82.1%
- Columbia Middle School· 81.2%
- Rogers Elem School· 75.0%
- Waterloo Junior High School· 74.7%
- Gardner Elementary School· 68.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Valmeyer Jr High· 39.2%
- Valmeyer Elementary School· 42.2%
- Gardner Elementary School· 68.9%
- Waterloo Junior High School· 74.7%
- Rogers Elem School· 75.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo High School | Waterloo | High | 09-12 | 876 | · |
| Waterloo Junior High School | Waterloo | Middle | 06-08 | 613 | · |
| Columbia Middle School | Columbia | Middle | 05-08 | 612 | · |
| Columbia High School | Columbia | High | 09-12 | 606 | · |
| W J Zahnow Elem School | Waterloo | Elementary | PK-01 | 487 | · |
| Parkview Elementary School | Columbia | Elementary | 02-04 | 427 | · |
| Rogers Elem School | Waterloo | Elementary | 02-03 | 417 | · |
| Gardner Elementary School | Waterloo | Elementary | 04-05 | 374 | · |
| Eagleview Elementary School | Columbia | Elementary | PK-01 | 259 | · |
| Valmeyer Elementary School | Valmeyer | Elementary | PK-05 | 152 | · |
| Valmeyer High School | Valmeyer | High | 09-12 | 106 | · |
| Valmeyer Jr High | Valmeyer | Middle | 06-08 | 77 | · |
| CCSI Alternative School | Red Bud | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| Career Center of Southern IL | Red Bud | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Monroe County
About Monroe County
In Illinois, Monroe County is a compact county of about 35,036 residents. 14 public schools across the county instructs about 5,006 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $102,880 a year, 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 4%. That income level is 46% noticeably above the Illinois median.
In terms of grade levels, Monroe County is made up of 6 elementary schools (2,116 students), 3 middle schools (1,302), and 5 high schools (1,588).
Waterloo CUSD 5 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,767 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Monroe County has decreased 3% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 5,172 students to 5,006. The school count fell from 14 to 12 across the same 7-year window.
On this page, the community for Monroe County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Monroe County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data