For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 967 students in Mercer County School District 404. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Illinois.
Public Elementary Schools in Mercer County School District 404 have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
6 Schools
3,103 Schools
# Students
1,451 Students
1,187,593 Students
# Teachers
123 Teachers
89,913 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mercer County School District 404, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#597 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
50%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.16
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
2%
28%
% Black
2%
17%
% White
92%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,073 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,423. The school district revenue/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,169 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$22 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$21 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,073
$22,423
Spending / Student
$14,169
$21,662
Best Mercer County School District 404 Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mercer County Jr High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 Sw 6th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 584-4174
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 584-4174
Gr: 6-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Mercer County Intermediate School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 Sw 6th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2441
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-2441
Gr: 5-6 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
New Boston Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 Jefferson St
New Boston, IL 61272
(309) 587-8141
New Boston, IL 61272
(309) 587-8141
Gr: K-5 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Apollo Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
801 Sw 9th St
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Aledo, IL 61231
(309) 582-5350
Gr: K-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.