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Average

#2266 of 3,813 schools in IL

Harlem High School

High School · Harlem UD 122

9229 N Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115

Enrollment

1,947

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,266 of 3,813

In Machesney Park

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

Harlem UD 122

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Harlem High School

5.8/10

High School in Machesney Park · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Olson Park Elem School

7.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Walter Lawson Childrens Home

Nearby

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Harlem High School

Harlem High School is a public high school in Machesney Park, IL, part of Harlem UD 122. Harlem High School serves approximately 1,947 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Harlem High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,266 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Harlem High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below IL schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Harlem High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,101
Chronic Absenteeism47.9%

Harlem High School — Students at Harlem High School score 20% 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

55.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
55%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
49%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
51%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
23%
2022
ELA
21%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Harlem High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
41th percentile in IL
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.7
Sports
20
10 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
137 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
14.9% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
10 boys'·10 girls'·36 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

9229 N Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harlem High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. VERITAS CHRISTI HYBRID ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Rockford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Guilford High School (rated 6.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Rockford), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Machesney Park, see our Machesney Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Olson Park Elem School Machesney Park 0.5 mi 7.2
WALTER LAWSON CHILDRENS HOME Loves Park 1.0 mi
Rock Cut Elem School Loves Park 1.3 mi 5.5
Machesney Elem School Machesney Park 1.2 mi 5.5
Maple Elem School Loves Park 1.5 mi 5.2
Ralston Elem School Machesney Park 1.4 mi 6.6
Donald C Parker Early Educ Center Machesney Park 1.5 mi 6.3
Marquette Elem School Machesney Park 1.8 mi 4.5
Windsor Elem School Loves Park 2.4 mi 4.6
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Machesney Park 2.2 mi 6.7
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Machesney Park 2.2 mi 6.7
NORTH LOVE CHRISTIAN Rockford 2.7 mi 7.6
Harlem Middle School Loves Park 2.5 mi 6.0
ST BRIDGET SCHOOL Loves Park 2.8 mi 5.2
VERITAS CHRISTI HYBRID ACADEMY Rockford 2.4 mi 6.6
ROCKFORD LUTHERAN SCHOOL - JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Rockford 3.2 mi 4.9
Clifford P Carlson Elem School Rockford 3.4 mi 5.2
Loves Park Elem School Loves Park 3.4 mi 5.5
Spring Creek Elem School Rockford 4.0 mi 6.0
Guilford High School Rockford 4.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,771

Median Home Value

$160,700

Median Rent

$1,111/mo

Population

22,424

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

80.3%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

40.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Belleville High School-East Belleville, IL 5.8
Belvidere North High Sch Belvidere, IL 5.8
West Chicago Comm High School West Chicago, IL 5.8
Thornton Fractnl No High School Calumet City, IL 5.7
DeKalb High School Dekalb, IL 5.9
Edwardsville High School Edwardsville, IL 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harlem High School

What grades does Harlem High School serve?

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

How many students attend Harlem High School?

Harlem High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,947 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Harlem High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harlem High School rank in IL?

Harlem High School ranks #2,266 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Harlem High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harlem High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Harlem High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Harlem High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Harlem High School a charter school?

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

Is Harlem High School a Title I school?

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

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

55.8% of students at Harlem 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,947
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
137
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Winnebago County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

District

Harlem UD 122
District Enrollment
6,254
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,101
District Rank
#5 of 11

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