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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,403

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
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
37%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
46%
2022
ELA
47%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in IL
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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