Boone County is served by two school districts, both of which exemplify the best in public education and which are served by a dedicated group of administrators and teachers. Students in the Belvidere area consistently place in the top ten percent nationally in academic and pre-college entrance exams. These school districts serve the community from a variety of educational facilities, and offer a well-rounded education that consists of math, science, arts, business, music and athletics. Parents are encouraged to become involved with the area’s educational system and communicate openly with teachers and academic officials. The Board of Education is comprised of seven elected community members.

Belvidere School District #100 boasts an enrollment of over 5,600 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district is home to 6 elementary schools, one junior high school and one senior high school. A well-rounded curriculum is in place, focusing on math and science, reading and writing and social sciences. This district is also committed to providing students with education in arts, music and physical education.

North Boone School District #200 serves the northern part of the county, including Capron and Poplar Grove. Current enrollment in this district exceeds 1,000, with facilities including three elementary schools and one senior high school. As part of its commitment to teaching and preparing students for the changing role technology plays in our society, this school district has created a District Technology Plan designed to outline extensive methods of integrating technology into the district’s daily educational curriculum. Other programs in this district include the "Reading Buddy" program and an after-school-tutoring program.

The Boone County Special Education Cooperative serves students in both districts from ages 3 through 21. The County also offers 4 parochial schools that address the educational and religious needs of students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Belvidere is served by the Ida Public Library, offering 68,000 volumes and a collection of audio and videotapes, records, art prints and large-print books.

This facility also provides public meeting rooms, inter-library loan services and a summer reading program.

Students and adults who wish to continue their education in under-graduate, graduate and post-graduate studies will find exceptional facilities and programs in the area. The nearby Rockford Education Center is a recent addition to Northern Illinois University, the second largest university in the State of Illinois. This education, training, and conference center offers numerous graduate and undergraduate level classes during the evenings. During the daytime, the center serves as a full-service training facility with meeting rooms, catering services, audiovisual aids and technical capabilities such as videoconferencing.

Rockford College is a four-year institution offering numerous services for non-traditional students. Bachelor degrees are offered in more than thirty areas of specialization, and graduate degrees in Teaching and Business Administration are also offered. Many residents take advantage of the non-credit seminars offered at Rockford College by the American Management Association. Students may also study abroad for a semester through an arrangement with Regents College in London, England.

Rock Valley College offers adult and continuing education programs in various disciplines. Courses concentrate on such subjects as machine design, industrial manufacturing, electronics and computer science - each contributing to the area’s strong labor force. The school’s Technology Center offers a hands-on technical curriculum. Programs, seminars and training in applied software and data communications technology are offered to students as well as area corporations.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford offers more than fifty programs in health and medicine.

Beloit College in nearby Beloit, Wisconsin offers 41 fields of study in 22 departments that lead to Bachelor of Arts or Science degrees. The college offers a Master’s program in Teaching as well as two-year programs in the areas of engineering, forestry, and social work.

The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service offers education programs that relate to horticulture and the environment, economics, community and leadership development, family and youth, and agricultural production. The Extension Office located in Belvidere serves Boone County with all University of Illinois resources available to individuals, organizations and local communities.

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