Skip to main content

Very Good

#1123 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 29% in state

Meridian High School

High School · Meridian CUSD 101

1401 Mounds Rd, Mounds, IL 62964

Enrollment

210

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mounds

#1 of 2

public schools

Illinois high schools

#200 of 703

In district

#1 of 2

Meridian CUSD 101

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Meridian High School

Meridian High School in Mounds, Illinois, is a regular public school serving students from grade 6 through 12. With an enrollment of 210 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 14 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' learning needs.

Academically, Meridian High School has room for improvement; it currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks at the 44th percentile among Illinois schools. In recent assessments, 7% of students were proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 5% met proficiency standards in math. These figures suggest that while there is a need for growth in academic performance, the school community remains committed to enhancing educational outcomes.

Meridian High School is situated in a rural area, offering students a peaceful setting away from urban distractions. The school's location fosters a strong sense of community among its members, with teachers and parents often collaborating closely to support student development.

What Parents Should Know

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)4%
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,846

Meridian High School — Students at Meridian High School score 8% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 4%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 6.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
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: 9.5/10.

How Meridian High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in IL
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

1401 Mounds Rd, Mounds, IL 62964

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Meridian High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Egyptian Sr High School (rated 7.9/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Tamms), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cairo Jr/Sr High School (rated 7.4/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Cairo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ballard Memorial High School (rated 7.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Barlow), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mounds, see our Mounds schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Meridian Elementary School Mounds 0.0 mi 5.1
Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo 7.7 mi 7.4
Cairo Elementary School Cairo 8.2 mi 8.2
Century Jr/Sr High School Ullin 10.4 mi 6.3
Century Elementary School Ullin 10.5 mi 7.7
Egyptian Jr High School Tamms 10.9 mi 6.1
Egyptian Elem School Tamms 10.9 mi 5.3
Egyptian Sr High School Tamms 10.9 mi 7.9
OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch 10.4 mi
Ballard Co. Preschool/Headstart Center Barlow 10.8 mi 6.0
Ballard County Elementary School Barlow 10.8 mi 8.2
Ballard Memorial High School Barlow 10.9 mi 7.1
Ballard County Middle School Barlow 10.9 mi 6.7
Dongola High School Dongola 16.3 mi 6.6
Dongola Elementary School Dongola 16.3 mi 8.2
Dongola Jr High School Dongola 16.3 mi 6.1
CHARLESTON HIGH Charleston 17.4 mi 5.3
ST HENRY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston 17.3 mi 5.7
WARREN E. HEARNES ELEM. Charleston 17.9 mi 5.6
CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston 17.9 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62964 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$28,875

Median Home Value

$95,000

Median Rent

$559/mo

Population

1,028

College Educated

15.3%

Homeownership

58.6%

Poverty Rate

45.4%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Meridian High School has a median household income of $28,875. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,000, with a median rent of $559/month. The area has a poverty rate of 45.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Edwards County High School Albion, IL 7.1
Knoxville Sr High School Knoxville, IL 7.1
Lowpoint-Washburn Jr Sr High Sch Washburn, IL 7.1
Marissa Jr & Sr High School Marissa, IL 7.1
Marshall Metropolitan High School Chicago, IL 7.1
Uplift Community High School Chicago, IL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Meridian High School

What grades does Meridian High School serve?

Meridian High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Meridian High School?

Meridian High School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School is 15:1. 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 #1123 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Meridian High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Meridian High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 5.0% math proficiency and 6.7% 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?

98.6% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (993/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pulaski County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Meridian CUSD 101
District Enrollment
442
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,878
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 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.