At a glance
Reported students
66
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
3
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
22:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–PK
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois other enrollment
45th percentile
Compared with 179 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
270
Mercer County Early Learning Center: 66 reported students.
State peer staffing position
81st percentile
22:1 reported; state peer median 15:1. Ratio is not class size.
What the reported data says about Mercer County Early Learning Center
Mercer County Early Learning Center is a public combined / other school serving grades PK–PK in Joy. It is one of 5 current school records connected to Mercer County School District 404. NCES reports 66 students for 2024–25.
Among 179 combined / other schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 94 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 45th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 22:1, above the Illinois median of 15:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (90.9%) and Black (4.5%). These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Mercer County Early Learning Center
- 1How do the reported 22:1 student–teacher ratio and 3 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3How many counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers currently serve students?
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 53%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White90.9%
- Hispanic1.5%
- Black4.5%
- Asian3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial0%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Other schools in Mercer County School District 404
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
New Boston Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
165 reported students
Mercer County Jr High School
Middle · Grades 06–08
270 reported students
Apollo Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
362 reported students
Mercer County High School
High · Grades 09–12
411 reported students