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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,442

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.2%
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
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
ELA
24.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in IL
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (185/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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