Skip to main content

Average

#2830 of 3,813 schools in IL

Larkin High School

High School · SD U-46

1475 Larkin Ave, Elgin, IL 60123

Enrollment

2,274

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elgin

#13 of 25

public schools

Illinois high schools

#564 of 703

In district

#29 of 51

SD U-46

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Larkin High School

Larkin High School serves 2,274 students in grades 9-12 in Elgin, Illinois, operating as a regular public school with 144 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1. The school has significant room for academic growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranking #3520 out of 3819 Illinois high schools. Academic performance shows challenges, with only 10% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels.

The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $82,358 and median home value reaches $233,600. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This large high school serves a substantial student body that requires focused attention on improving educational outcomes.

Despite current academic challenges, Larkin High School operates in a stable mid-size city environment within Kane County. The school's size allows for potentially diverse programming opportunities, though realizing stronger academic achievement remains a key priority. Families considering this school should weigh the community's economic stability against the need for significant academic improvement in their decision-making process.

The school sits in an established neighborhood of Elgin with nearly 50,000 residents in the surrounding ZIP code area.

What Parents Should Know

Larkin High School is a large school with 2,274 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at Larkin 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 Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,947

Larkin High School — Students at Larkin High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
13%
2022
ELA
10%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Larkin High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in IL
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
144 teachers

Location

1475 Larkin Ave, Elgin, IL 60123

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Larkin High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ELGIN ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin 0.4 mi 4.2
Highland Elem School Elgin 0.4 mi 5.6
ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin 0.5 mi 7.5
Kimball Middle School Elgin 0.7 mi 5.4
Abbott Middle School Elgin 0.6 mi 5.0
Washington Elem School Elgin 0.8 mi 4.7
Hillcrest Elem School Elgin 0.8 mi 6.2
Illinois Park Elem School Elgin 1.1 mi
Creekside Elem Elgin 1.2 mi 6.0
ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin 1.3 mi 5.7
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 1.6 mi 5.6
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin 2.1 mi 6.3
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 2.2 mi 4.5
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 1.7 mi 6.9
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elgin 1.9 mi 5.3
ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin 1.9 mi 7.7
McKinley Elem School Elgin 2.1 mi 6.8
HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elgin 2.2 mi 5.9
ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin 2.0 mi 7.1
Willard Elem School South Elgin 2.7 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60123 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,762

Median Home Value

$242,200

Median Rent

$1,226/mo

Population

48,821

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Larkin High School has a median household income of $86,762. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,200, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Belleville High School-West Belleville, IL 5.3
Belvidere North High Sch Belvidere, IL 5.3
Bremen High School Midlothian, IL 5.3
Edwardsville High School Edwardsville, IL 5.3
Quincy Sr High School Quincy, IL 5.3
Belleville High School-East Belleville, IL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Larkin High School

What grades does Larkin High School serve?

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

How many students attend Larkin High School?

Larkin High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,274 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Larkin High School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Larkin High School rank in IL?

Larkin High School is ranked #2830 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Larkin High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Larkin High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Larkin High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Larkin High School has 11.0% math proficiency and 13.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Larkin High School a charter school?

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

Is Larkin High School a Title I school?

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

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

56.0% of students at Larkin 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
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,372/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,274
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
144
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SD U-46
District Enrollment
34,553
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,216
District Rank
#29 of 51

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

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.