SE Illinois News

The only school district in Edwards County had a rise in enrollment numbers in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

There were 824 students in the halls of Edwards County Community Unit School District 1 schools, 3.9% higher than the year before.

The enrollment numbers in Edwards County bucked the state’s trend, which shows an overall decrease in enrollment across the state.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2022-23 school year, 51.7% of them were girls, and 48.3% were boys.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 95% of the Edwards County Community Unit School District 1's total enrollment.

Edwards County Community Unit School District 1 has a main office in Albion and is the only school district within Edwards County.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above 2024.

Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.

School	Total Enrollment in 2022-23	Total Enrollment in 2021-22	Total % Change
Albion Grade School	430	430	0%
Edwards County High School	253	220	15%
West Salem Grade School	141	143	-1.4%