Educational records of the Hillsboro community report that the first educational facility in Montgomery County was established as the Hillsboro Academy in 1837 in Hillsboro. In the 1840's, the Academy became the first Lutheran College in Illinois. Historical reports indicate that ". . . ultimately Illinois State University and Carthage College evolved from this college . . ." when the college was moved to Springfield in 1852.

During 1997, the Hillsboro School District expanded significantly with the annexation of the Witt Unit School District. The Hillsboro District now serves nearly 2,300 students located within a 266 square mile area. A population of over 11,500 residents are located within the school district boundaries located in Montgomery and Bond counties. The school district is strategically located nearly 45 minutes away from Springfield and about an hour from metro St. Louis, Missouri.

The Hillsboro Community School District #3 provides classes for students in grades Pre-kindergarten (ages 3-5) through Grade 12. Nearly 1,147 students are enrolled in Pre-kindergarten through Grade 5; 554 students in Grades 6-8; and nearly 667 students in Grades 9-12. The District provides special education classes, remedial classes, and gifted classes for students.

The District is made up of a Senior High School, Middle (Junior) High School and three Elementary Schools: Beckemeyer, Coffeen, and Witt. The Community High School in Hillsboro is located on 80 acres of land, containing athletic fields, woodlands, four classroom buildings and the transportation maintance building. The elementary schools are located in residential neighborhoods. Each building has a large (8-13 acres) playground and picnic area. The professional staff of the District includes 145 certified teachers, over 75 support staff and bus drivers, and 9 administrators.

The Hillsboro Community Unit School District enjoys a very good relationship with members of the community. Members of the public are invited to use school facilities such as computer labs and gyms on a regular basis. Members of the public participate in collaboration and planning as our schools continue to provide for our students in the ever-changing world of work. The District works with business partners to provide evenings for open computer classes in the District's computer labs. The District currently operates a nationally-recognized Pre-Kindergarten Program at the Coffeen and Witt Attendance Centers.