Early Learning Center

Early Learning Center is an elementary school of intimate scale in Effingham, Illinois, overseen by Effingham CUSD 40, hosting 175 students in grade K. By comparison, Illinois's public schools average about 381 students each, so Early Learning Center sits 54% leaner than that benchmark.

Effingham CUSD 40 comprises 6 schools with combined enrollment of 2,261 students; Early Learning Center is among them.

Looking at the student body, Early Learning Center records that nearly all students (84%) are White. Other groups include 9% Hispanic, 3% multiracial. That is meaningfully less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 96%.

Looking at school resources, The school reports having 16 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 10.9:1. That figure is tighter than the state norm's 13.9:1 average. Around 40% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Effingham County) reports that median household earnings sit near $80,404, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 7%. Across Effingham County's 18 public schools (combined enrollment of about 5,063 students), Early Learning Center is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Central Grade School, roughly 0.9 miles away. Within five miles, there are 7 other public schools.

Early Learning Center operates from a town-center location.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count remained close to its prior level: 171 students in 2018 compared to 175 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 93% to 84% across the same window.

Inside the community feed, members of the Early Learning Center community share and discuss fundraisers, lost-and-found posts, and report-card season. Contributors range from current parents to recent graduates and teachers.