National city placement
Large, fragmented school market
According to NCES CCD 2024-25, Peoria has more public-school enrollment than 97% of the 4,487 US cities in this directory. Peoria is among the largest city school systems in this directory by enrollment, but its campuses are divided among 18 districts. That combination matters: citywide averages blend separate budgets, staffing policies, attendance boundaries, and program rules. For a family comparing schools here, the district column is as important as the city average; two nearby campuses may answer to different boards and draw on different F-33 funding pools.
Combined-grade campuses shape the local portfolio
31 of Peoria's 46 listed schools use NCES's combined or “other” grade-level classification. Citywide averages therefore blend campuses serving unusually broad or nonstandard grade spans with conventional elementary, middle, and high schools. Grade configuration is a first-order comparison here, not a minor label.
Governance mix is central to a fair comparison
15 of 46 listed Peoria campuses are reported as charters, so district-run and charter records occupy substantial shares of the same city view. They may follow different governance, enrollment, and program structures even when their mailing city matches. The 66-point gap between Peoria Flex Academy and Academy of Math and Science Peoria Advanced should be read within that context, not as a single-system league table. Check charter status and district affiliation before comparing two nearby schools, and verify current admissions rules with the operator.