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Below Average

#2962 of 3,813 schools in IL

Mercer County High School

High School · Mercer County School District 404

1500 S College Ave, Aledo, IL 61231

Enrollment

401

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,962 of 3,813

In Aledo

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Mercer County School District 404

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Mercer County High School

4.9/10

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

Apollo Elem School

4.1/10

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

Mercer County JR High School

5.5/10

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

About Mercer County High School

Mercer County High School is a public high school in Aledo, IL, part of Mercer County School District 404. Mercer County High School serves approximately 401 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mercer County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,962 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Mercer County High School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below IL schools
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Mercer County High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

43% of students at Mercer County 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 Progress9.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,828
Chronic Absenteeism43.1%

Mercer County High School — Students at Mercer County High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.6% (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
52%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
ELA
22%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Mercer County High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
22th percentile in IL
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Sports
13
7 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
5.7% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics13sports offered
7 boys'·6 girls'·21 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

1500 S College Ave, Aledo, IL 61231

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mercer County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rockridge High School (rated 7.0/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Taylor Ridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sherrard High School (rated 5.9/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Sherrard), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Aledo, see our Aledo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Apollo Elem School Aledo 0.6 mi 4.1
Mercer County Jr High School Aledo 0.7 mi 5.5
L' ABRIS ACADEMY Aledo 0.9 mi
Mercer County ELC Joy 6.8 mi
Matherville Intermediate School Matherville 9.1 mi 5.7
Winola Elementary School Viola 8.9 mi 4.4
Rockridge High School Taylor Ridge 13.6 mi 7.0
Rockridge Jr High School Taylor Ridge 13.6 mi 3.9
Taylor Ridge Elem School Taylor Ridge 14.3 mi 8.4
United Elem Sch - North Alexis 13.1 mi 6.0
New Boston Elem School New Boston 12.7 mi 4.7
United Jr High Sch Monmouth 17.0 mi 4.2
United Elem Sch - West Monmouth 17.1 mi 4.6
Andalusia Elem School Andalusia 17.3 mi 4.9
Illinois City Elem School Illinois City 16.5 mi 6.6
Sherrard High School Sherrard 15.7 mi 5.9
Sherrard Jr High School Sherrard 15.7 mi 7.0
Buffalo Elementary School Buffalo 18.9 mi 6.5
Sherrard Elementary School Sherrard 15.7 mi 6.3
Ridgewood Elem School Rock Island 18.3 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,389

Median Home Value

$141,200

Median Rent

$772/mo

Population

4,958

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

70.2%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

42.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anna-Jonesboro High School Anna, IL 4.9
Argenta-Oreana High School Argenta, IL 4.9
Dupo High School Dupo, IL 4.9
Gage Park High School Chicago, IL 4.9
Julian High School Chicago, IL 4.9
North Lawndale Prep Chtr-Collins Chicago, IL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mercer County High School

What grades does Mercer County High School serve?

Mercer County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mercer County High School?

Mercer County High School has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mercer County High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mercer County High School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mercer County High School rank in IL?

Mercer County High School ranks #2,962 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Mercer County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mercer County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Mercer County High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mercer County High School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Mercer County High School a charter school?

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

Is Mercer County High School a Title I school?

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

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

40.1% of students at Mercer County 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mercer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

District

Mercer County School District 404
District Enrollment
1,265
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,828
District Rank
#2 of 4

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