- Hudson Elem School — 1.3 mi · Grades K–5 · 216 students
- Prairieland Elementary School — 6.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 450 students
- Fairview Elem School — 6.7 mi · Grades K–5 · 280 students
- Towanda Elem School — 6.7 mi · Grades K–5 · 193 students
- McClean Co Detention Center — 6.8 mi · Grades 6–12
- Normal Community West High School — 7.0 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,590 students
- Normal Community High School — 7.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 2,079 students
- Eugene Field School — 7.5 mi · Grades 12–12
| Metric | McLean County Unit School District 5 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 12,409 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 26 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $16,899/yr | $17,619/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLean County Unit School District 5 (this district) | 6/10 | 55th | 12,409 |
| Eureka Community Unit District 140 | 10/10 | 91st | 1,528 |
| El Paso-Gridley Community Unit School District 11 | 6/10 | 58th | 1,201 |
| Bloomington School District 87 | 2/10 | 12th | 4,963 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 55th percentile → 6/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About McLean County Unit School District 5
McLean County Unit School District 5 is the public school district assigned to zip code 61748 in Hudson, Illinois. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 61748. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), McLean County Unit School District 5 ranks among Illinois’s average-rated school systems. 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.
McLean County Unit School District 5 falls near the middle of Illinois on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 61748
Children in zip code 61748 are assigned to McLean County Unit School District 5 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 61748, 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 McLean County Unit School District 5 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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 Mclean
For families considering a purchase in the Hudson area, district assignment matters financially. Because McLean County Unit School District 5 serves zip code 61748, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 61748 and neighboring areas. 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 McLean County Unit School District 5 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 61748.
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 McLean County Unit School District 5 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 61748 data.