Effingham, Illinois

== Education ==
Effingham has several schools, both public and private. The private schools are both religiously affiliated and include Saint Anthony and Sacred Heart. Saint Anthony Grade School (SAGS) serves grades preschool (age 3+) to eighth grade. SAGS has the Bullpup as its mascot. Sacred Heart Grade School (SHS) serves preschool (age 3+) to eighth grade. SHS's mascot is the Shamrock. The public schools include the Early Learning Center, South Side Elementary, Central Grade School, Effingham Junior High School (EJHS), and Effingham High School. The Early Learning Center serves preschool and kindergarten age children. South Side Elementary serves first and second graders. Aspire is a school for students who are likely to drop out or those who get expelled. Central Grade School serves third through fifth grade students. Central Grade school's mascot is the Mustang. EJHS serves junior high students in grades six to eight. EJHS's mascot is the Mustang.

Effingham High School (EHS) is the public high school.<ref>{{cite web|title=EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL|url=http://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=030250400260001|publisher=Effingham Community Schools|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> The new EHS opened in the fall of 1998, and has a current enrollment of 849.<ref>{{cite web|title=EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL|url=http://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=030250400260001|website=Illinois Report Card|publisher=Illinois State Board of Education|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> The former EHS building, built in 1939 as a WPA project and expanded in 1965, is currently the junior high, serving grades 6–8. The old junior high, Central School, is now a grade school serving grades 3–5.  EHS athletics were originally known as the Warriors but the name was changed after [[Ada Kepley]], a city resident, referred to Effingham as the "Heart of America" in a campaign to attract visitors to the city. The name stuck, with references in the city government and the downtown movie theater named the Heart Theater. EHS athletics are now known as the Flaming Hearts.

Effingham is also home to [[St. Anthony High School (Effingham, Illinois)|St. Anthony High School]], a private Roman Catholic High School. SAHS athletics are known as the Bulldogs.