Very Good
#828 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 22% in state
Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S
High School · Gardner S Wilmington Twp HSD 73
500 E Main St, Gardner, IL 60424
Enrollment
142
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
142
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gardner
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois high schools
#143 of 703
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S
Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Gardner, Illinois. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 142 students and offers a supportive environment with a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 19 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to provide quality education.
According to MySchoolScout, the school’s overall rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 71st percentile among Illinois schools. Its academic score stands at 5.9/10, reflecting areas for improvement in test performance where only 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA and Reading, and 24% in Math. Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School is situated in a close-knit rural community that values its educational institutions deeply.
The school’s setting provides a nurturing environment for students to grow both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 142 students, Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S 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
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Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S — Students at Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S Compares
See how Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
Location
500 E Main St, Gardner, IL 60424
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Reed-Custer High School (rated 6.1/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Braidwood), a more accessible option. Another option is Coal City High School (rated 5.7/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Coal City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Wilmington High School (rated 5.6/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gardner, see our Gardner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner Elem School Gardner | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| South Wilmington Grade School South Wilmington | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Braceville Elem School Braceville | 3.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Coal City Early Childhood Center Coal City | 6.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Coal City Middle School Coal City | 6.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Coal City High School Coal City | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Coal City Intermediate School Coal City | 7.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Coal City Elem School Coal City | 7.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Reed-Custer Elementary School Braidwood | 6.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Reed-Custer Middle School Braidwood | 7.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Reed-Custer High School Braidwood | 7.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elem School Mazon | 7.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Middle Sch Mazon | 7.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Dwight High School Dwight | 9.4 mi | 4.9 |
| DWIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Dwight | 9.2 mi | — |
| Dwight Common School Dwight | 9.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Bruning Elem School Wilmington | 10.6 mi | 4.4 |
| L J Stevens Intermediate School Wilmington | 11.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilmington Middle School Wilmington | 11.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Wilmington High School Wilmington | 12.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,000
Median Home Value
$191,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Population
2,170
College Educated
18.2%
Homeownership
75.4%
Avg Commute
30.5 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S has a median household income of $81,000. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo, IL | 7.4 |
| Grayville Jr Sr High School Grayville, IL | 7.4 |
| Lincolnwood High School Raymond, IL | 7.4 |
| Raby High School Chicago, IL | 7.4 |
| FASMAN YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Skokie, IL | 7.5 |
| GIBAULT CATHOLIC Waterloo, IL | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S
What grades does Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S serve?
Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S?
Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S has an enrollment of approximately 142 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S rank in IL?
Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S is ranked #828 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S has 24.5% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S a charter school?
No, Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S a Title I school?
No, Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S?
32.4% of students at Gardner-south Wilmington Twp H S qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 142
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Grundy County
- Phone
- (815) 237-2176
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gardner S Wilmington Twp HSD 73- District Enrollment
- 142
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,850
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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