The Pana Community Unit School District No. 8 administers public education in Pana. The school district encompasses part of Christian, Shelby and Montgomery. Counties. There are two elementary schools, a junior high and a senior high school, all located in Pana. Four parochial schools are also located in the Pana area. There is also a Pana Learning Center, which is an alternative school where students may receive a GED degree. 

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Pana High School has a complete fiber-optic distance learning facility capable of broadcasting and receiving educational programs. This facility is networked with Lake Land Community College, Eastern Illinois University and seven area high schools within a 50-mile radius. There are four universities located within a radius of 50 miles of Pana. Pana is in the Lake Land College School District.