The only school district in Mercer County suffered a drop in enrollment numbers in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
There were 1,230 students in the halls of Mercer County School District 404 schools, 2.1% lower than the year before.
The enrollment numbers in Mercer County amplified the state’s declining trend, showing a sharper decrease in student numbers than the state average.
Of all the students welcomed in the 2023-24 school year, 50.6% of them were boys, and 49.4% were girls.
Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 91.7% of the Mercer County School District 404’s total enrollment.
Mercer County School District 404 has a main office in Aledo and is the only school district within Mercer 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 2023-24 | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County High School | 384 | 382 | 0.5% |
| Apollo Elementary School | 341 | 334 | 2.1% |
| Mercer County Junior High School | 268 | 292 | -8.2% |
| New Boston Elementary School | 160 | 171 | -6.4% |
