- Beecher City Grade School — 5.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 196 students
- Beecher City Jr-Sr High School — 6.0 mi · Grades 6–12 · 165 students
| Metric | Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 357 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,389/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 18% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 (this district) | 7/10 | 63rd | 357 |
| Stewardson-Strasburg Community Unit District 5A | 7/10 | 68th | 399 |
| Effingham Community Unit School District 40 | 5/10 | 44th | 2,314 |
| Altamont Community Unit School District 10 | 8/10 | 70th | 666 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 63rd percentile → 7/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Beecher City Community Unit School District 20
Zip code 62461 in Shumway, Illinois is served by Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K–12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Beecher City Community Unit School District 20’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 7 out of 10 — above average 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.
Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Illinois. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 62461
Children in zip code 62461 are assigned to Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 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 62461, 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 Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 at the number listed on the district website 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 Shumway
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 serves zip code 62461, homes in and around zip code 62461 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 Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 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 62461.
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 Beecher City Community Unit School District 20 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 62461 data.