Average
#2736 of 3,813 schools in IL
Dakota JR SR High School
High School · Dakota CUSD 201
300 Campus Dr, Dakota, IL 61018
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dakota
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois high schools
#540 of 703
In district
#2 of 2
Dakota CUSD 201
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Dakota JR SR High School
Dakota Jr Sr High School serves 343 students in grades 7-12 in the small rural community of Dakota, Illinois. This public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #539 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.
With an academic score of 8.6 out of 10, Dakota Jr Sr High shows particular strength in its overall educational offerings. In English Language Arts and Reading, 47% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all grade levels. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $73,828 and median home values are $153,800.
The local area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.1%, though only 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, which is typical for many rural communities. Located at 300 Campus Drive in Stephenson County, Dakota Jr Sr High School serves a tight-knit rural population of just 953 residents, fostering the kind of close community connections that often characterize smaller school districts in agricultural Illinois.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dakota 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
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Dakota JR SR High School — Students at Dakota JR SR High School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Dakota JR SR High School Compares
See how Dakota JR SR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
300 Campus Dr, Dakota, IL 61018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dakota JR SR High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Orangeville High School (rated 7.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Orangeville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Durand High School (rated 7.3/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Durand), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pecatonica High School (rated 6.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Pecatonica), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dakota, see our Dakota schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dakota Elementary School Dakota | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Center Elem School Freeport | 7.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Orangeville Jr High School Orangeville | 8.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Orangeville High School Orangeville | 8.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Orangeville Elem School Orangeville | 8.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Blackhawk Elem School Freeport | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Freeport High School Freeport | 8.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport | 8.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport | 8.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Empire Elem School Freeport | 9.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport | 10.1 mi | 7.8 |
| German Valley Grade School Forreston | 12.1 mi | 3.9 |
| OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport | 10.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Pecatonica Elem School Pecatonica | 10.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Pecatonica Comm Middle School Pecatonica | 10.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Pecatonica High School Pecatonica | 10.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Durand High School Durand | 10.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Durand Elem School Durand | 10.5 mi | 9.5 |
| Durand Jr High School Durand | 10.5 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,896
Median Home Value
$162,800
Median Rent
$744/mo
Population
1,040
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
43.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dakota JR SR High School has a median household income of $74,896. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,800, with a median rent of $744/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Athens Sr High School Athens, IL | 5.4 |
| Casey-Westfield Jr/Sr HS Casey, IL | 5.4 |
| Eastland Jr/Sr High School Lanark, IL | 5.4 |
| Illini Bluffs High School Glasford, IL | 5.4 |
| Nashville Comm High School Nashville, IL | 5.4 |
| North Lawndale Prep Chtr - Christ Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dakota JR SR High School
What grades does Dakota JR SR High School serve?
Dakota JR SR High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Dakota JR SR High School?
Dakota JR SR High School has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dakota JR SR High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dakota JR SR High School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dakota JR SR High School rank in IL?
Dakota JR SR High School is ranked #2736 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Dakota JR SR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dakota JR SR High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Dakota JR SR High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dakota JR SR High School has 34.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dakota JR SR High School a charter school?
No, Dakota JR SR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dakota JR SR High School a Title I school?
No, Dakota JR SR High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dakota JR SR High School?
33.2% of students at Dakota 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
- County Safety
- Low (234/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 343
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stephenson County
- Phone
- (844) 632-5682
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dakota CUSD 201- District Enrollment
- 749
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,009
- 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
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