Editing El Paso, Illinois (section)

== Education ==

[[File:El Paso Gridley High School, December 28, 2024.jpg|thumb|right|El Paso Gridley High School]]

[[File:Welcome to Jefferson Park, El Paso, Illinois, November 2024.jpg|thumb|right|Jefferson Park Elementary School]]

[[File:Centennial School, El Paso Illinois, December 28, 2024.jpg|thumb|right|Centennial School]]

[[File:Prairie_Christian_School,_El_Paso,_Illinois,_December_28,_2024.jpg|thumb|right|Prairie Christian School]]

El Paso's school district, CUSD #11,<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Paso - Gridley CUSD #11 |url=http://www.unit11.org/index.php |access-date=2016-10-04 |website=www.unit11.org}}</ref> is the product of a consolidation with the school district of [[Gridley, Illinois|Gridley, IL]]. CUSD #11's schools are split between El Paso and Gridley:<ref>{{Cite web |title=District Information |url=http://www.unit11.org/district-information |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.unit11.org}}</ref>
* El Paso Gridley High School - Housing all of the high school students for the district
* El Paso Gridley Junior High School - Housing all of the upper and lower levels of junior high (grades 5, 6, 7, and 8) students for the district
* Centennial School - Housing all the grade 3 and 4 elementary students of the district
* Jefferson Park - Housing all the preschool, kindergarten, and grade 1 and 2 elementary students of the district

The educational landscape of El Paso, Illinois, has evolved significantly since the mid-19th century. In 1850, Reverend Abner Peeler taught the first school in Kansas Township near Zachariah Brown's cabin.<ref name="El Paso Story">{{cite book | url=http://www.allendrake.com/elpasohistory/epstory/index.htm | title=El Paso Story | publisher=El Paso Public Library Board | year=1954 | author=Allen, Drake | access-date=27 December 2024 | page=5}}</ref> By 1857, the town of El Paso had constructed its first schoolhouse, where Henry Hewitt served as the inaugural teacher.<ref name="Genealogy Trails">{{cite web | url=https://genealogytrails.com/ill/woodford/schools.html | title=Woodford County Schools History | website=Genealogy Trails | access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

By 1859, the Illinois Central Railroad tracks divided the city into East and West sides, prompting the establishment of two rival school districts.<ref name="El Paso Story"/> The East Side school, constructed in 1869 and completed in 1870, was later named McKinley School after President William McKinley's assassination in 1901.<ref name="El Paso Story"/><ref name="Leopard Fan">{{cite web | url=https://www.leopardfan.com/school-history | title=El Paso School History | website=Leopard Fan | access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

Both schools initially offered two-year high school programs, with the East Side school graduating its first student, Julia Toussieng, in 1874.<ref name="Genealogy Trails"/> By 1893, both schools had expanded their curricula to include four-year high school courses.<ref name="El Paso Story"/> In 1910, the high school programs were consolidated at Jefferson Park, though the grade schools remained separate until 1944.<ref name="Genealogy Trails"/>

El Paso Township High School District #375 was established in 1916 following voter approval, despite legal challenges that reached the Illinois Supreme Court.<ref name="El Paso Story"/> A new brick high school was constructed in 1921, featuring modern amenities such as an auditorium and gymnasium.<ref name="Leopard Fan"/>

In 1948, El Paso Community Unit District #375 was formed, unifying the high school and grade school districts.<ref name="Leopard Fan"/> The district expanded to include outlying areas such as Secor and the Mackinaw River region near Carlock.<ref name="El Paso Story"/> Rural schools, including many one-room schoolhouses, were consolidated, and students were transported by bus to centralized schools in El Paso.<ref name="El Paso Story"/>

By March 2004, voters approved the merger of El Paso Unit #375 with Gridley Unit #10, creating El Paso-Gridley Community Unit School District 11.<ref name="Unit 11">{{cite web | title=El Paso-Gridley Community Unit School District 11 | url=https://www.unit11.org | website=El Paso-Gridley School District | access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref> This new district began operation on July 1, 2004, with the high school located in El Paso and the junior high in Gridley.<ref name="Unit 11"/> Today, the district serves students across Woodford, McLean, and Livingston counties, continuing a legacy of educational progress.<ref name="Unit 11"/>

Prairie Christian School located in El Paso was established in 1991 to provide a Christ-centered learning environment with high academic standards for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The inaugural school year began with 10 students and two teachers, utilizing the original brick portion of the school building. Over the years, the school has expanded its facilities, including the addition of a gymnasium in 2002, to accommodate a growing student body and enhance educational offerings.<ref>{{cite web | title=Prairie Christian School | url=https://prairiechristianschool.org/ | publisher=Prairie Christian School | access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>

Homeschooling families in El Paso have access to various resources and support networks. The El Paso District Library offers information on state requirements and connections to homeschooling groups.<ref>{{cite web |title=Online Resources |url=https://www.elpasodistrictlibrary.org/online-resources.html |publisher=El Paso District Library |access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>  The library also hosts homeschool events, fostering a supportive environment for home-educated students.