Zip code 61862 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 | Gifford Community Consolidated School District 188 166 students · 1 school | Not rated |
| 9–12 Secondary | Armstrong Township High School District 225 135 students · 1 school | 2/10 |
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 | Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 135 | 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 District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 (this district) | 2/10 | 15th | 135 |
| Tolono Community Unit School District 7 | 7/10 | 64th | 1,529 |
| Prairieview-Ogden Community Consolidated School District 197 | 10/10 | 96th | 463 |
| Potomac Community Unit School District 10 | 4/10 | 32nd | — |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 445 rated districts in IL → 15th percentile → 2/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2017–18 school year (most recent available for this district). Full methodology →
- Armstrong High School — Grades 9–12 · 114 students
About Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61
Families in zip code 61862 (Penfield, Illinois) are assigned to Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 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 2/10 Rating
With a rating of 2/10 (low-rated), Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 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 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.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 enrolls 135 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 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 61862
Children in zip code 61862 are assigned to Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 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 61862, 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 Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 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 Penfield
For families considering a purchase in the Armstrong Township area, district assignment matters financially. Because Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 serves zip code 61862, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 61862. 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 Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 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 61862.
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 Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 61862 data.