Average
#2427 of 3,813 schools in IL
Meridian High School
High School · Meridian CUSD 15
728 S Wall St, Macon, IL 62544
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Macon
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois high schools
#475 of 703
In district
#2 of 3
Meridian CUSD 15
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Meridian High School
Meridian High School is a regular public high school located in Macon, Illinois, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 307 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, the school provides individualized attention to help each student succeed academically and personally. Meridian High School has 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their diverse student body.
The academic performance at Meridian High School is in need of improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2817 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it in the 26th percentile). Test scores show that only 21% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 23% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on student development and continuous improvement to better serve its community.
Situated in a rural area near Macon, Meridian High School benefits from a close-knit neighborhood where teachers and parents work together to support students' educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Meridian 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.
Located in a rural area, Meridian 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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Meridian High School — Students at Meridian High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
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: 7.5/10.
How Meridian High School Compares
See how Meridian High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
728 S Wall St, Macon, IL 62544
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meridian High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mt Zion High School (rated 6.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Mount Zion), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central A & M High School (rated 5.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Moweaqua), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eisenhower High School (rated 5.8/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Decatur), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Macon, see our Macon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Middle School Macon | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Central A & M High School Moweaqua | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Gregory Intermediate Moweaqua | 5.0 mi | 7.9 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 7.8 mi | 6.2 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 7.8 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 7.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 8.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Meridian Elem School Blue Mound | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 7.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Mt Zion Jr High School Mount Zion | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Mt Zion High School Mount Zion | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Mt Zion Elem School Mount Zion | 8.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Mt Zion Intermediate School Mount Zion | 7.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 9.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 9.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 10.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 10.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 10.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 11.5 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62544 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,923
Median Home Value
$143,400
Median Rent
$787/mo
Population
1,719
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
87.1%
Avg Commute
27.4 min
Poverty Rate
4%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meridian High School has a median household income of $81,923. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,400, with a median rent of $787/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Gage Park High School Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Galva Jr-Sr High School Galva, IL | 5.7 |
| ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin, IL | 5.7 |
| Staunton High School Staunton, IL | 5.7 |
| YCCS-ASPIRA Pantoja Alt HS Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meridian High School
What grades does Meridian High School serve?
Meridian High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Meridian High School?
Meridian High School has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meridian High School rank in IL?
Meridian High School is ranked #2427 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Meridian High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Meridian High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Meridian High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meridian High School has 23.3% math proficiency and 21.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meridian High School a charter school?
No, Meridian High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meridian High School a Title I school?
No, Meridian High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meridian High School?
36.5% of students at Meridian 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 307
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 764-5233
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Meridian CUSD 15- District Enrollment
- 986
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,284
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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