Zip code 61342 is not served by one district. An elementary district and a separate secondary district each cover this area, which is normal in this state — which one your child attends depends on their grade.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K–8 Elementary | Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 1,040 students · 3 schools | Not rated |
| 9–12 Secondary | Mendota Township High School District 280 493 students · 1 school | 5/10 |
The elementary district is shown as not rated because our rating set was built per zip code from a single district, so elementary districts in split areas were never scored. We would rather show no rating than a borrowed one.
| Metric | Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 493 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,100/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 (this district) | 5/10 | 49th | 493 |
| Ottawa Township High School District 140 | NR | — | 1,261 |
| Putnam County Community Unit School District 535 | 6/10 | 51st | 807 |
| Annawan Community Unit School District 226 | 7/10 | 68th | 352 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 445 rated districts in IL → 49th percentile → 5/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2017–18 school year (most recent available for this district). Full methodology →
- Mendota Twp High School — Grades 9–12 · 493 students
About Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289
Families in zip code 61342 (Mendota, Illinois) are assigned to Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 for public education through 8th. 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 5/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 5 out of 10 — 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 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.
Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 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 61342
Children in zip code 61342 are assigned to Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 61342, 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 Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 at (815)539-7446 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 Mendota
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 serves zip code 61342, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 61342. 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 Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 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 61342.
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 Mendota Community Consolidated School District 289 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 61342 data.