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Average

#2473 of 3,813 schools in IL

Harvard High School

High School · Harvard CUSD 50

1103 N Jefferson St, Harvard, IL 60033

Enrollment

798

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harvard

#2 of 5

public schools

Illinois high schools

#485 of 703

In district

#2 of 5

Harvard CUSD 50

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Harvard High School

Harvard High School serves approximately 798 students in grades 9 through 12 in the town of Harvard, located in McHenry County, Illinois. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.9 to 1, with 73 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Harvard High School is working toward improved performance.

Current data shows that 15% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 12% meet proficiency standards in Math. These results indicate the school has significant room for academic growth across both subject areas. The school's academic score of 3.2 out of 10 reflects these challenges, and it ranks at the 45th percentile among Illinois schools.

As a regular public high school, Harvard High serves the local community with a traditional four-year secondary education program. The relatively low student-teacher ratio suggests opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom. For families considering Harvard High School, it's important to understand the current academic trajectory and to discuss specific support services and programs available to students with school administrators.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Harvard 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 Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,098

Harvard High School — Students at Harvard High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.3%
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
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Harvard High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in IL
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

Location

1103 N Jefferson St, Harvard, IL 60033

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harvard High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Williams Bay High (rated 7.6/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Williams Bay), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alden-Hebron High School (rated 6.1/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Hebron), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Big Foot High (rated 5.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Walworth), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Harvard, see our Harvard schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Elem School Harvard 0.1 mi 5.9
Harvard Jr High School Harvard 0.3 mi 4.9
Washington Elem School Harvard 0.9 mi 5.1
Crosby Elem Sch Harvard 1.8 mi 5.4
Big Foot High Walworth 6.8 mi 5.2
AGAPE SCHOOL Walworth 7.0 mi
Walworth Elementary Walworth 7.1 mi 6.1
Fontana Elementary Fontana 8.4 mi 8.0
Capron Elem School Capron 7.3 mi 4.5
Sharon Community Sharon 8.1 mi 8.3
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Williams Bay 10.2 mi 7.7
Williams Bay Middle Williams Bay 10.5 mi 7.0
Williams Bay High Williams Bay 10.5 mi 7.6
Williams Bay Elementary Williams Bay 10.6 mi 8.1
Reek Elementary Lake Geneva 9.8 mi 7.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Marengo 12.1 mi 5.6
Traver Elementary Lake Geneva 10.6 mi 7.8
Alden-Hebron Middle School Hebron 9.5 mi 8.4
Alden-Hebron High School Hebron 9.5 mi 6.1
Westwood Elem School Woodstock 11.0 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,298

Median Home Value

$198,700

Median Rent

$1,192/mo

Population

13,333

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harvard High School has a median household income of $72,298. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,700, with a median rent of $1,192/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Coal City High School Coal City, IL 5.7
Elmwood Park High School Elmwood Park, IL 5.7
Herrin High School Herrin, IL 5.7
MARMION ACADEMY Aurora, IL 5.7
Noble St Chtr-Muchin College Prep Chicago, IL 5.7
Canton High School Canton, IL 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harvard High School

What grades does Harvard High School serve?

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

How many students attend Harvard High School?

Harvard High School has an enrollment of approximately 798 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Harvard High School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harvard High School rank in IL?

Harvard High School is ranked #2473 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Harvard High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harvard High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Harvard High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harvard High School has 12.0% math proficiency and 15.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harvard High School a charter school?

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

Is Harvard High School a Title I school?

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

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

43.0% of students at Harvard 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

City Safety
Elevated (762/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
798
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
McHenry County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harvard CUSD 50
District Enrollment
2,499
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,744
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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