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Below Average

#3327 of 3,813 schools in IL

Jefferson High School

High School · Rockford SD 205

4145 Samuelson Rd, Rockford, IL 61109

Enrollment

2,170

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,327 of 3,813

In Rockford

#28 of 44

public schools

In district

#28 of 44

Rockford SD 205

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Jefferson High School

4.4/10

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

Cathedral Baptist School

7.0/10

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

Arthur Froberg Elem School

4.5/10

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

About Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School is a public high school in Rockford, IL, part of Rockford SD 205. Jefferson High School serves approximately 2,170 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,327 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson High School show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Jefferson High School is a large school: 2,170 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Test scores at Jefferson High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

61% of students at Jefferson 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 Progress9.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency6% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness3.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,016
Chronic Absenteeism60.6%

Jefferson High School — Students at Jefferson High School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.4% (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
28%
ELA
31%
2010
Math
30%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
28%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
13%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2022
ELA
6%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Jefferson High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in IL
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.7
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
112 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
10.8% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

4145 Samuelson Rd, Rockford, IL 61109

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ALPINE ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherry Valley Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROCKFORD IQRA' SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rockford, see our Rockford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
CATHEDRAL BAPTIST SCHOOL Rockford 0.6 mi 7.0
Arthur Froberg Elem School Rockford 1.2 mi 4.5
Wm Nashold Early Childhood Center Rockford 1.6 mi 4.7
Swan Hillman Elem School Rockford 1.9 mi 5.6
Bernard W Flinn Middle School Rockford 2.3 mi 2.9
Whitehead Elem School Rockford 2.5 mi 4.0
Rolling Green Rockford 2.8 mi 3.7
ROCKFORD IQRA' SCHOOL Rockford 2.8 mi 7.2
ALPINE ACADEMY Rockford 3.2 mi 7.9
Riverdahl Elem School Rockford 2.6 mi 6.3
Rockford East High School Rockford 3.5 mi 4.8
ST RITA SCHOOL Rockford 3.0 mi 3.2
Fairview Early Childhood Center Rockford 3.8 mi 4.6
Gregory Elem School Rockford 3.8 mi 3.5
Cherry Valley Elementary School Rockford 3.3 mi 7.4
Abraham Lincoln Middle School Rockford 4.3 mi 3.7
Maud E Johnson Elem School Rockford 4.6 mi 3.6
Beyer Early Childhood Center Rockford 4.1 mi 5.1
Jackson Charter School Rockford 4.7 mi 5.4
Constance Lane Elementary School Rockford 4.4 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,702

Median Home Value

$124,900

Median Rent

$916/mo

Population

26,714

College Educated

17.9%

Homeownership

62.5%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MARIST HIGH SCHOOL Chicago, IL 4.5
Proviso East High School Maywood, IL 4.3
United Twp High School East Moline, IL 4.3
Granite City High School Granite City, IL 4.2
Galesburg Senior High School Galesburg, IL 4.7
AMERICAN SCHOOL Lansing, IL 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson High School

What grades does Jefferson High School serve?

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

How many students attend Jefferson High School?

Jefferson High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,170 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson High School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson High School rank in IL?

Jefferson High School ranks #3,327 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Jefferson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson High School has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Jefferson High School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson High School a Title I school?

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

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

75.2% of students at Jefferson 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,170
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
112
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Winnebago County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.6%

District

Rockford SD 205
District Enrollment
27,661
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,016
District Rank
#28 of 44

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