Jefferson Elem School

Jefferson Elem School operates as a mid-sized elementary school in Sterling, Illinois, part of Sterling CUSD 5. Current enrollment sits at 450 students spanning grades pre-K through 2.

Sterling CUSD 5 comprises 6 schools with combined enrollment of 3,253 students; Jefferson Elem School is among them.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Jefferson Elem School records that the largest single group is White at 55%, but no single group is in the majority. Beyond that, the school reports 37% Hispanic, 6% multiracial, 2% Black. The wider county runs roughly 85% White, putting the school's mix noticeably less White than the area baseline.

On the income-and-resources front, The school reports having 30 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 14.9:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.9:1, putting Jefferson Elem School higher than the state norm the norm. Roughly 70% of students at Jefferson Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. By comparison, Whiteside County runs at roughly 55%, so the school's eligibility rate is meaningfully above the surrounding baseline.

Around the school, the surrounding county (Whiteside County) shows that median household income runs about $67,500, 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. Jefferson Elem School is one of 50 public schools in Whiteside County (combined enrollment of about 8,445 students).

Challand Middle School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.2 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Jefferson Elem School operates from a town-based location.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Jefferson Elem School has remained close to its prior level, going from 446 students in 2018 to 450 in 2025. Class-load math has pulled in: from 19.1:1 in 2018 to 14.9:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the feed for Jefferson Elem School typically covers pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.