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Needs Improvement

#3809 of 3,813 schools in IL

Chester High School

High School · Chester CUSD 139

1901 Swanwick St, Chester, IL 62233

Enrollment

331

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

2.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chester

#2 of 2

public schools

Illinois high schools

#703 of 703

In district

#2 of 2

Chester CUSD 139

About Chester High School

Chester High School is a regular public high school serving the community of Chester, Illinois, in Randolph County. The school’s address is 1901 Swanwick St and caters to students from grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of 331 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, Chester High School offers personalized attention and support to its students.

The academic performance at Chester High School indicates areas for improvement, with the school ranked at #3706 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. The MySchoolScout rating is 2.8/10, reflecting lower-than-average proficiency levels in ELA/Reading (19% proficient) and Math (12% proficient). However, despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.

Chester High School is situated in a remote town setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere. The lack of specific neighborhood data means that the overall character and resources of Chester are not detailed here, but the school remains an integral part of this small-town environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-21.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,457

Chester High School — Students at Chester High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Chester High School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
0th percentile in IL
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

1901 Swanwick St, Chester, IL 62233

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chester High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. STE. GENEVIEVE SR. HIGH (rated 6.5/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Ste Genevieve), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sparta High School (rated 5.9/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Sparta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PERRYVILLE SR. HIGH (rated 4.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Perryville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chester 0.6 mi 5.1
ST MARYS SCHOOL Chester 0.9 mi 5.3
Chester Elem School Chester 1.0 mi 6.4
Steeleville High School Steeleville 10.0 mi 4.2
Steeleville Elem School Steeleville 10.1 mi 7.2
ST MARKS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Steeleville 10.2 mi 5.7
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Perryville 13.9 mi 5.5
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Evansville 13.1 mi
PERRYVILLE SR. HIGH Perryville 14.1 mi 4.4
ST VINCENT DE PAUL JR/SR SCHOOLS Perryville 14.0 mi 4.7
PERRYVILLE PRIMARY CENTER Perryville 14.2 mi 6.4
PERRY CO. MIDDLE Perryville 14.2 mi 4.3
PERRYVILLE ELEM. Perryville 14.2 mi 7.4
Evansville Attendance Center Evansville 13.6 mi 3.6
Sparta High School Sparta 15.8 mi 5.9
Sparta Lincoln School Sparta 16.0 mi 5.8
VALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Sainte Genevieve 13.4 mi 6.4
STE. GENEVIEVE MIDDLE Ste Genevieve 13.7 mi 7.2
STE. GENEVIEVE SR. HIGH Ste Genevieve 13.7 mi 6.5
STE. GENEVIEVE ELEM. Ste Genevieve 13.8 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,333

Median Home Value

$111,500

Median Rent

$645/mo

Population

8,233

College Educated

8.6%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

17.7%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chester High School has a median household income of $78,333. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $645/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Du Quoin High School Du Quoin, IL 3.6
Mercer County High School Aledo, IL 3.7
North Mac High School Virden, IL 3.7
Central High School Clifton, IL 3.8
Dee-Mack High School Mackinaw, IL 3.8
Elmwood High School Elmwood, IL 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chester High School

What grades does Chester High School serve?

Chester High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Chester High School?

Chester High School has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chester High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chester High School rank in IL?

Chester High School is ranked #3809 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Chester High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chester High School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Chester High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester High School has 12.3% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chester High School a charter school?

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

Is Chester High School a Title I school?

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

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

39.9% of students at Chester 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

City Safety
Average (313/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Randolph County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chester CUSD 139
District Enrollment
968
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,256
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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