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
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (217) 783-2125
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.