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Excellent

#345 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 9% in state

Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School

High School · Cowden-Herrick CUSD 3A

633 County Highway 22, Cowden, IL 62422

Enrollment

170

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois high schools

#48 of 703

In district

#2 of 2

Cowden-Herrick CUSD 3A

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School

Cowden-Herrick Jr/Sr High School serves 170 students in grades 6-12 in the small rural community of Cowden, Illinois. This public school maintains an impressive 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in a close-knit learning environment. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #340 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.

With an academic score of 8.0 out of 10, Cowden-Herrick shows particular strength in its overall educational outcomes. In ELA/Reading assessments, 42% of students across all grades perform at proficient or above levels. The surrounding community reflects the characteristics of rural Illinois, with a median household income of $58,672 and median home values around $152,300.

The area has a population of 938 residents, with 13% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.9%. Located on County Highway 22 in Shelby County, Cowden-Herrick Jr/Sr High School operates in a remote rural setting that fosters a tight-knit school community where students and families often develop lasting connections across multiple grade levels.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 170 students, Cowden-herrick Jr/sr 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.

Located in a rural area, Cowden-herrick Jr/sr 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 Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+7.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,782

Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School — Students at Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
42%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School Compares

See how Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
91th percentile in IL
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

633 County Highway 22, Cowden, IL 62422

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Beecher City Jr-Sr High School (rated 6.8/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Beecher City), a more accessible option. Another option is Pana Sr High School (rated 5.9/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Pana), a more accessible option. Additionally, Shelbyville High School (rated 5.6/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Shelbyville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cowden, see our Cowden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Beecher City Jr-Sr High School Beecher City 5.1 mi 6.8
Beecher City Grade School Beecher City 5.6 mi 5.6
Cowden-Herrick Grade School Herrick 6.6 mi 9.3
MID-AMERICA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Herrick 6.9 mi 4.9
Main Street Elementary School Shelbyville 11.9 mi 7.2
Shelbyville Kindergarten Center Shelbyville 11.9 mi 4.7
Moulton Elementary School Shelbyville 12.2 mi 6.7
Shelbyville High School Shelbyville 12.2 mi 5.6
St Elmo Jr High School Saint Elmo 14.3 mi 6.3
St Elmo Sr High School Saint Elmo 14.3 mi 4.3
St Elmo Elem School Saint Elmo 15.0 mi 5.7
ALTAMONT LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Altamont 14.2 mi 4.3
Altamont High School Altamont 14.3 mi 5.3
Altamont Grade School Altamont 14.4 mi 8.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stewardson 12.8 mi 3.2
Stewardson-Strasburg Elem School Strasburg 13.7 mi 7.5
Stewardson-Strasburg High School Strasburg 13.7 mi 3.8
Lincoln Elem School Pana 15.1 mi 7.3
Pana Sr High School Pana 15.4 mi 5.9
Pana Jr High School Pana 15.5 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62422 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,759

Median Home Value

$123,700

Median Rent

$765/mo

Population

1,004

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

72.7%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

17.7%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School has a median household income of $61,759. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,700, with a median rent of $765/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Mt Olive High School Mount Olive, IL 8.1
BEACON ACADEMY Evanston, IL 8.0
Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville, IL 8.0
ACE Amandla Charter School Chicago, IL 8.3
Newark Comm High School Newark, IL 8.3
Heritage High School Broadlands, IL 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School

What grades does Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School serve?

Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School?

Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 170 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School rank in IL?

Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School is ranked #345 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School has 12.3% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School a charter school?

No, Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School a Title I school?

No, Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School?

67.1% of students at Cowden-herrick Jr/sr 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (249/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Shelby County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cowden-Herrick CUSD 3A
District Enrollment
331
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,966
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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