School District for
Zip Code 61238

About Cambridge Community Unit School District 227

Families in zip code 61238 (Cambridge, Illinois) are assigned to Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 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.

Funding and Resources

According to NCES 2024–2025, Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 spends approximately $17,100 per student per year, placing it near the Illinois state average of approximately $17,000 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.

District Scale and Program Breadth

At 2 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.

Understanding the 3/10 Rating

With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 ranks among Illinois’s below 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 the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 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.

Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Illinois benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.

Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 61238

Children in zip code 61238 are assigned to Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 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 61238, 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 Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 at (309)937-2144 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 Cambridge

For families considering a purchase in the Cambridge area, district assignment matters financially. Because Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 serves zip code 61238, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 61238. 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 Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 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 61238.

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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cambridge Community Unit School District 227 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 61238 data.