East Central Reporter

Flora Community Unit School District 35 had the highest enrollment among Clay County districts, welcoming 1,326 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2023-24 school year, 51% of them were boys, and 49% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 91.6% of the Flora Community Unit School District 35's total enrollment.

Among the three districts in Clay County, North Clay Community Unit School District 25 ranked second in enrollment numbers with 542 students, while Clay City Community Unit School District 10 welcomed 259 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Flora Community Unit School District 35 roughly covers schools within Clay County with its main office in Flora.

In the previous school year, Flora Community Unit School District 35 also had the highest number of students among Clay County districts.

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.

District	City (main office)	Total Enrollment
Flora Community Unit School District 35	Flora	1,326
North Clay Community Unit School District 25	Louisville	542
Clay City Community Unit School District 10	Clay City	259