- Roanoke-Benson High School — 0.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 146 students
- Sowers Elementary School — 0.5 mi · Grades PK–4 · 161 students
- Roanoke-Benson Jr High School — 5.3 mi · Grades 5–8 · 142 students
with district
with district
with district
| Metric | Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 439 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,357/yr | $17,619/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 (this district) | 9/10 | 84th | 439 |
| Eureka Community Unit District 140 | 10/10 | 91st | 1,528 |
| Lowpoint-Washburn Community Unit School District 21 | 5/10 | 41st | 321 |
| El Paso-Gridley Community Unit School District 11 | 6/10 | 58th | 1,201 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 84th percentile → 9/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60
Zip code 61561 in Roanoke-Benson, Illinois is served by Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Kindergarten – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 9 out of 10 — top-tier among Illinois public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Illinois’ IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2023–24 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Illinois is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Illinois on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 61561 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 61561
Children in zip code 61561 are assigned to Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 61561, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 at (309)923-8921 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Illinois districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Roanoke
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 serves zip code 61561, homes in and around zip code 61561 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Illinois, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 61561.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 61561 data.