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Average

#2264 of 3,813 schools in IL

Elgin High School

High School · SD U-46

1200 Maroon Dr, Elgin, IL 60120

Enrollment

2,724

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elgin

#8 of 25

public schools

Illinois high schools

#433 of 703

In district

#20 of 51

SD U-46

About Elgin High School

Elgin High School serves 2,724 students in grades 9-12 in Elgin, Illinois, making it one of the larger high schools in the region. With 162 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. The school is working to strengthen its academic performance, with current ELA/reading proficiency at 11% across grade levels, indicating significant room for academic growth.

Elgin High School ranks in the 8th percentile among Illinois high schools, reflecting ongoing challenges that the school community is addressing to better serve its diverse student body. The school draws from a mid-size city community where the median household income is $78,360 and the poverty rate stands at 11.9%. About 20% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with median home values around $214,700.

This working-class community of over 50,000 residents provides a solid foundation for the school's efforts to improve educational outcomes. Elgin High School's large size offers the potential for diverse programming and activities, though the school faces the important work of raising academic achievement to better prepare its substantial student population for future success. The school operates within an established mid-size city environment that balances suburban amenities with urban accessibility.

What Parents Should Know

Elgin High School is a large school with 2,724 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at Elgin High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11%
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,947

Elgin High School — Students at Elgin High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.0%
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
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
15%
2022
ELA
11%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Elgin High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in IL
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
162 teachers

Location

1200 Maroon Dr, Elgin, IL 60120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elgin High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Bartlett), which scores notably higher. Another option is Timber Trails Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Hoffman Estates), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Liberty Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Bartlett), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Lords Park Elem School Elgin 1.2 mi 5.2
Huff Elem School Elgin 1.0 mi 4.8
Hilltop Elementary School Elgin 1.2 mi 6.6
Ellis Middle School Elgin 1.3 mi 5.0
THE IVY ACADEMY & EARLY LEARNING Elgin 1.7 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Hoffman Estates 2.0 mi 3.4
Channing Memorial Elem School Elgin 1.6 mi 4.3
Ronald D O Neal Elgin 1.7 mi 4.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin 1.7 mi 7.1
Nature Ridge Elem School Bartlett 2.4 mi 7.4
Larsen Middle School Elgin 2.1 mi 7.8
ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin 2.0 mi 7.7
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 2.1 mi 6.9
Timber Trails Elementary School Hoffman Estates 2.4 mi 7.9
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 2.1 mi 5.6
Coleman Elem School Elgin 2.6 mi 4.5
PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bartlett 2.7 mi 8.3
McKinley Elem School Elgin 2.4 mi 6.8
Kenyon Woods Middle School South Elgin 2.4 mi 7.6
Liberty Elem School Bartlett 2.7 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,305

Median Home Value

$227,000

Median Rent

$1,250/mo

Population

50,774

College Educated

19.4%

Homeownership

65.6%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Elgin High School has a median household income of $80,305. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,000, with a median rent of $1,250/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Round Lake Senior High School Round Lake, IL 6.0
Hampshire High School Hampshire, IL 5.8
Oak Lawn Comm High School Oak Lawn, IL 5.8
Proviso West High School Hillside, IL 5.8
Lincoln Way West New Lenox, IL 6.1
Oswego High School Oswego, IL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elgin High School

What grades does Elgin High School serve?

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

How many students attend Elgin High School?

Elgin High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,724 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Elgin High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elgin High School rank in IL?

Elgin High School is ranked #2264 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Elgin High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Elgin High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Elgin High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elgin High School has 18.0% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Elgin High School a charter school?

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

Is Elgin High School a Title I school?

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

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

54.3% of students at Elgin 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
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,372/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,724
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
162
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SD U-46
District Enrollment
34,553
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,216
District Rank
#20 of 51

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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