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Very Good

#634 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 17% in state

Blue Ridge High School

High School · Blue Ridge CUSD 18

411 N John St, Farmer City, IL 61842

Enrollment

188

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Farmer City

#1 of 2

public schools

Illinois high schools

#104 of 703

In district

#1 of 3

Blue Ridge CUSD 18

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Blue Ridge High School

Blue Ridge High School serves 188 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Farmer City, Illinois. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes that many larger schools cannot offer. The school performs well academically, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 81st percentile among Illinois high schools at #712 out of 3,819 schools statewide.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 34% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, indicating solid foundational skills with continued opportunities for growth. Blue Ridge High School draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $71,474 and the poverty rate stands at 11%. The area maintains a median home value of $151,100, reflecting the affordable cost of living that characterizes many small Illinois towns.

About 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, demonstrating a community that values education. The school's rural setting in De Witt County provides students with a close-knit educational environment where teachers and staff can develop meaningful relationships with students and families, fostering the personal connections that often define successful small-town high school experiences.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 188 students, Blue Ridge High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Blue Ridge High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Blue Ridge High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,795

Blue Ridge High School — Students at Blue Ridge High School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
ELA
34.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Blue Ridge High School Compares

See how Blue Ridge High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
83th percentile in IL
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

411 N John St, Farmer City, IL 61842

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Deland-Weldon High School (rated 7.8/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby De Land), with a very similar rating. Another option is Tri-Valley High School (rated 6.8/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Downs), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LeRoy High School (rated 5.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Le Roy), a more accessible option. For more schools in Farmer City, see our Farmer City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruth M Schneider Elem School Farmer City 0.1 mi 4.7
Deland-Weldon Middle School Weldon 8.5 mi
Deland-Weldon Elem School Weldon 8.5 mi 9.4
Deland-Weldon High School De Land 8.5 mi 7.8
LeRoy Junior High School Le Roy 8.9 mi 7.3
LeRoy High School Le Roy 8.9 mi 5.8
Blue Ridge Intermediate-Jr HS Mansfield 8.1 mi 5.5
LeRoy Elementary School Le Roy 9.3 mi 7.7
White Heath Elem School White Heath 13.2 mi 7.7
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monticello 14.1 mi 5.9
Washington School Monticello 16.3 mi 5.4
Monticello High School Monticello 16.3 mi 5.1
Mahomet-Seymour High School Mahomet 12.8 mi 5.5
Monticello Middle School Monticello 16.2 mi 6.5
Mahomet-Seymour Jr High School Mahomet 13.0 mi 4.4
Lincoln Trail Elem School Mahomet 13.1 mi 6.2
Tri-Valley Middle School Downs 15.2 mi 5.8
Tri-Valley High School Downs 15.4 mi 6.8
Tri-Valley Elem School Downs 15.5 mi 7.3
FIRST SCHOOL Mahomet 14.4 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61842 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,167

Median Home Value

$152,000

Median Rent

$514/mo

Population

2,577

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

88.5%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Blue Ridge High School has a median household income of $79,167. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,000, with a median rent of $514/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cambridge Jr/Sr High School Cambridge, IL 7.6
Erie High School Erie, IL 7.6
IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY Chicago, IL 7.6
ILLINOIS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH Crete, IL 7.6
THE HIGH SCHOOL OF SAINT THOMAS MORE Champaign, IL 7.6
Trico Senior High School Campbell Hill, IL 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Ridge High School

What grades does Blue Ridge High School serve?

Blue Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Blue Ridge High School?

Blue Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 188 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge High School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Ridge High School rank in IL?

Blue Ridge High School is ranked #634 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Blue Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Ridge High School has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Blue Ridge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Ridge High School has 24.5% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Blue Ridge High School a charter school?

No, Blue Ridge High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Blue Ridge High School a Title I school?

No, Blue Ridge High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Ridge High School?

53.7% of students at Blue Ridge High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,383/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Farmer City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
188
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
De Witt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Blue Ridge CUSD 18
District Enrollment
670
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,061
District Rank
#1 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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