Needs Improvement
#3738 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
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aledo
#3 of 3
public schools
Illinois high schools
#695 of 703
In district
#4 of 4
Mercer County School District 404
About Mercer County High School
Mercer County High School in Aledo, Illinois, serves students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 401 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The academic performance at Mercer County High is rated 3.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 15th percentile among Illinois schools with a state ranking of #3240 out of 3819.
Test scores show that 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 24% are proficient or above in math. While there is room for academic growth, the school remains committed to fostering student development. Mercer County High School is situated in a rural area, providing a close-knit community setting where students can benefit from small-town support and resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mercer County High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Mercer County High School — Students at Mercer County High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.8/10.
How Mercer County High School Compares
See how Mercer County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 5.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Sherrard), which scores notably 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 | 4.9 |
| Mercer County Jr High School Aledo | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Rockridge High School Taylor Ridge | 13.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Rockridge Jr High School Taylor Ridge | 13.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Taylor Ridge Elem School Taylor Ridge | 14.3 mi | 4.2 |
| United Elem Sch - North Alexis | 13.1 mi | 8.5 |
| New Boston Elem School New Boston | 12.7 mi | 4.3 |
| United Jr High Sch Monmouth | 17.0 mi | 5.6 |
| United Elem Sch - West Monmouth | 17.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Andalusia Elem School Andalusia | 17.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Illinois City Elem School Illinois City | 16.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Sherrard High School Sherrard | 15.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Sherrard Jr High School Sherrard | 15.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Buffalo Elementary School Buffalo | 18.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Sherrard Elementary School Sherrard | 15.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Ridgewood Elem School Rock Island | 18.3 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mercer County High School has a median household income of $66,389. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,200, with a median rent of $772/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| North Mac High School Virden, IL | 3.7 |
| Central High School Clifton, IL | 3.8 |
| Dee-Mack High School Mackinaw, IL | 3.8 |
| Anna-Jonesboro High School Anna, IL | 3.6 |
| Du Quoin High School Du Quoin, IL | 3.6 |
| Neoga Jr/Sr High School Neoga, IL | 3.9 |
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 is ranked #3738 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Mercer County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mercer County High School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Mercer County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mercer County High School has 24.5% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (535/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aledo). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (309) 582-2223
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mercer County School District 404- District Enrollment
- 1,265
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,828
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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
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