Average
#2046 of 3,813 schools in IL
Henry W Cowherd Middle School
Middle School · Aurora East USD 131
441 N Farnsworth Ave, Aurora, IL 60505
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aurora
#13 of 45
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#387 of 684
In district
#3 of 18
Aurora East USD 131
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Henry W Cowherd Middle School
Henry W Cowherd Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Aurora, Illinois, with an enrollment of 850 students. Located at 441 N Farnsworth Ave in Kane County, the school operates as a regular public middle school in a large suburban area. The student-teacher ratio is 13.1:1, with 65 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, the school is currently working with room for significant growth. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10, Cowherd ranks in the 24th percentile of Illinois schools. Proficiency levels in core subjects are notably low, with 11% of students scoring proficient or above in ELA and reading across grades, and 7% in math.
These results reflect challenges the school is addressing as it supports student development. Cowherd serves the Aurora community and provides a middle school experience for students in the surrounding suburban neighborhood. Families considering this school may want to explore what specific academic supports and programs are available as they evaluate their options.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Henry W Cowherd Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Henry W Cowherd Middle School — Students at Henry W Cowherd Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Henry W Cowherd Middle School Compares
See how Henry W Cowherd Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 9% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 11% (2022).
Location
441 N Farnsworth Ave, Aurora, IL 60505
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Henry W Cowherd Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Francis Granger Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is K D Waldo Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, C F Simmons Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Park Elem School Aurora | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| C I Johnson Elem School Aurora | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Edna Rollins Elem School Aurora | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| C F Simmons Middle School Aurora | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| W S Beaupre Elem School Aurora | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Nicholas A Hermes Elem School Aurora | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| L D Brady Elem School Aurora | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Olney C Allen Elem School Aurora | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| N CAMPUS OF POPE ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY Aurora | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Mabel O Donnell Elem School Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad Aurora | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| East High School Aurora | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Reba O Steck Elementary School Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| K D Waldo Middle School Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Nancy Young Elementary School Aurora | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| John Gates Elem School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Benavides Steam Academy Aurora | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary Aurora | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Francis Granger Middle School Aurora | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II CATH. ACADEMY-SOUTH CAMPUS Aurora | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,306
Median Home Value
$192,500
Median Rent
$1,230/mo
Population
58,176
College Educated
13.2%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Henry W Cowherd Middle School has a median household income of $70,306. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bloomington Jr High School Bloomington, IL | 6.1 |
| Glenside Middle School Glendale Heights, IL | 6.1 |
| Hufford Junior High School Joliet, IL | 6.1 |
| John Deere Middle School Moline, IL | 6.1 |
| L J Hauser Jr High School Riverside, IL | 6.1 |
| Prairie-Hills Junior High School Markham, IL | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Henry W Cowherd Middle School
What grades does Henry W Cowherd Middle School serve?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Henry W Cowherd Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Henry W Cowherd Middle School rank in IL?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School is ranked #2046 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Henry W Cowherd Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Henry W Cowherd Middle School has 7.0% math proficiency and 11.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Henry W Cowherd Middle School a charter school?
No, Henry W Cowherd Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Henry W Cowherd Middle School a Title I school?
No, Henry W Cowherd Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
72.4% of students at Henry W Cowherd Middle 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,522/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aurora). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 850
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kane County
- Phone
- (630) 299-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Aurora East USD 131- District Enrollment
- 12,260
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,690
- District Rank
- #3 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.