- Beardstown Jr/Sr High School — 1.4 mi · Grades 5–12 · 820 students
- Gard Elementary School — 1.4 mi · Grades PK–4 · 711 students
| Metric | Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,506 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,140/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 37% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 (this district) | 1/10 | 1st | 1,506 |
| Schuyler-Industry Community Unit School District 5 | 2/10 | 13th | 937 |
| Triopia Community Unit School District 27 | 8/10 | 77th | 396 |
| Virginia Community Unit School District 64 | 8/10 | 75th | 321 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 1st percentile → 1/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Beardstown Community Unit School District 15
Families in zip code 62618 (Beardstown, Illinois) are assigned to Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
With a rating of 1/10 (low-rated), Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 ranks among Illinois’s low-rated-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.
Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Illinois on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 62618
Children in zip code 62618 are assigned to Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 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 62618, 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 Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 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 Beardstown
For families considering a purchase in the Beardstown area, district assignment matters financially. Because Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 serves zip code 62618, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 62618. 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 Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 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 62618.
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 Beardstown Community Unit School District 15 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 62618 data.