Total enrollment
6,092
-393 (-6%) vs SY 2017-18
Stephenson County
Illinois · Public K-12
Across Stephenson County, 23 public K-12 schools educate around 6,092 students, roughly 1 in 7 residents. The level mix runs 10 elementary, 5 middle, and 8 high.
7-year change in Stephenson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
20
-3 (-13%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
61%
was 66%
% Hispanic
12%
was 8%
% Black
16%
was 16%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
23
7 districts
Enrollment
6,092
NCES CCD
Median income
$64,043
Below Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
50.3%
Below Illinois avg
Elementary
10
2,853 students
Middle
5
1,240 students
High
8
1,999 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Freeport SD 145
3,703 students · 7 districts in Stephenson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Stephenson 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+
20.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.3%
civilian labor
Median age
45
21.2% under 18
Test scores in Stephenson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 15 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Lena-Winslow Jr High School· 74.4%
- Lena-Winslow Elem School· 72.9%
- Orangeville Jr High School· 59.3%
- Dakota Jr Sr High School· 55.3%
- Orangeville Elem School· 48.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Empire Elem School· 16.0%
- Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School· 24.3%
- Carl Sandburg Middle Sch· 25.4%
- Freeport Middle School· 27.1%
- Blackhawk Elem School· 28.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport High School | Freeport | High | 09-12 | 1,165 | · |
| Freeport Middle School | Freeport | Middle | 07-08 | 515 | · |
| Carl Sandburg Middle Sch | Freeport | Middle | 05-06 | 430 | · |
| Lena-Winslow Elem School | Lena | Elementary | PK-05 | 412 | · |
| Dakota Elementary School | Dakota | Elementary | PK-06 | 410 | · |
| Blackhawk Elem School | Freeport | Elementary | PK-04 | 361 | · |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate | Freeport | Elementary | KG-06 | 350 | · |
| Dakota Jr Sr High School | Dakota | High | 07-12 | 344 | · |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School | Freeport | Elementary | PK-04 | 325 | · |
| Empire Elem School | Freeport | Elementary | PK-04 | 295 | · |
| Center Elem School | Freeport | Elementary | PK-04 | 262 | · |
| Lena-Winslow High School | Lena | High | 09-12 | 232 | · |
| Pearl City Elementary School | Pearl City | Elementary | PK-06 | 213 | · |
| Lena-Winslow Jr High School | Lena | Middle | 06-08 | 173 | · |
| Orangeville Elem School | Orangeville | Elementary | PK-05 | 155 | · |
| Pearl City High School | Pearl City | High | 09-12 | 147 | · |
| Orangeville High School | Orangeville | High | 09-12 | 111 | · |
| German Valley Grade School | Forreston | Elementary | PK-KG | 70 | · |
| Orangeville Jr High School | Orangeville | Middle | 06-08 | 64 | · |
| Pearl City Jr High School | Pearl City | Middle | 07-08 | 58 | · |
| Career & Tech Educ Consortium | Freeport | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
| Freeport Alternative High Sch | Freeport | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
| RAP Freeport | Freeport | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Stephenson County
About Stephenson County
Stephenson County is a sparse Illinois county of about 43,768 residents, home to 23 public schools and roughly 6,092 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $64,043, roughly 21% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 9%. That income level is 9% lower than the Illinois median.
In terms of grade levels, Stephenson County is built around 10 elementary schools (2,853 students), 5 middle schools (1,240), and 8 high schools (1,999).
Freeport SD 145 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,703 students across Stephenson County.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Stephenson County has declined 6% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 6,485 students to 6,092. The school count fell from 23 to 20 across the same 7-year window. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 66% to 61%.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Stephenson County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Stephenson County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data