Skip to main content

Average

#2882 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

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,882 of 3,813

In Aurora

#31 of 45

public schools

In district

#11 of 18

Aurora East USD 131

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Henry W Cowherd Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Henry W Cowherd Middle School

5.0/10

Middle School in Aurora · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Oak Park Elem School

6.2/10

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

C I Johnson Elem School

7.1/10

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

About Henry W Cowherd Middle School

Henry W Cowherd Middle School is a public middle school in Aurora, IL, part of Aurora East USD 131. Henry W Cowherd Middle School serves approximately 850 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Henry W Cowherd Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,882 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Henry W Cowherd Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • IL avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency8% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,690
Chronic Absenteeism19.8%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.8% (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
73%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
28%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
13%
2015
Math
8%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
11%
2017
Math
9%
ELA
8%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
14%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
14%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2022
ELA
11%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Henry W Cowherd Middle School Compares

See how Henry W Cowherd Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in IL
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Francis Granger Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, C F Simmons Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar 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 7.1
Edna Rollins Elem School Aurora 0.7 mi 4.2
C F Simmons Middle School Aurora 1.1 mi 5.0
W S Beaupre Elem School Aurora 1.0 mi 5.6
Nicholas A Hermes Elem School Aurora 1.2 mi 4.6
L D Brady Elem School Aurora 1.1 mi 6.2
Olney C Allen Elem School Aurora 1.5 mi 5.0
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 4.7
Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad Aurora 1.3 mi 8.1
East High School Aurora 1.5 mi 6.2
Reba O Steck Elementary School Aurora 1.6 mi 7.3
K D Waldo Middle School Aurora 1.6 mi 4.8
Nancy Young Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 7.8
John Gates Elem School Aurora 1.8 mi 5.3
Benavides Steam Academy Aurora 2.0 mi 6.8
Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary Aurora 1.9 mi 7.7
Francis Granger Middle School Aurora 1.9 mi 7.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C F Simmons Middle School Aurora, IL 5.0
Hannah Beardsley Middle School Crystal Lake, IL 5.0
Marion Jr High School Marion, IL 5.0
Memorial Jr High School Lansing, IL 5.0
Traughber Jr High School Oswego, IL 5.0
West Middle School Rockford, IL 5.0

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 ranks #2,882 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Henry W Cowherd Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Henry W Cowherd Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Henry W Cowherd Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Henry W Cowherd Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.8%

District

Aurora East USD 131
District Enrollment
12,260
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,690
District Rank
#11 of 18

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.