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Below Average

#3400 of 3,813 schools in IL

Plainfield South High School

High School · Plainfield SD 202

7800 Caton Farm Rd, Plainfield, IL 60586

Enrollment

2,379

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Plainfield

#25 of 29

public schools

Illinois high schools

#652 of 703

In district

#25 of 30

Plainfield SD 202

About Plainfield South High School

Plainfield South High School serves 2,379 students in grades 9-12 in Plainfield, Illinois, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 and 138 full-time equivalent teachers. This large suburban high school ranks in the 34th percentile among Illinois schools, with room for academic growth as reflected in its 4.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school's English Language Arts performance shows 24% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support.

With nearly 2,400 students, Plainfield South High School offers the resources and scale typical of a substantial suburban institution. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $123,780 and the poverty rate remains low at 4.7%. Families in the area demonstrate strong educational values, with 36% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and invest significantly in their community with median home values of $284,600.

The ZIP code serves over 48,000 residents, creating a stable, well-established suburban environment. Located on Caton Farm Road, Plainfield South High School sits in the heart of Kendall County's growing suburban landscape, serving families who have chosen this thriving Illinois community for its blend of residential appeal and educational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Plainfield South High School is a large school with 2,379 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,235

Plainfield South High School — Students at Plainfield South High School score 22% 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

39.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.3%
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
35%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
25%
2022
ELA
24%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Plainfield South High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in IL
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
138 teachers

Location

7800 Caton Farm Rd, Plainfield, IL 60586

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plainfield South High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Walnut Trails Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Shorewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Troy Hofer Elem Sch (rated 7.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Shorewood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Shorewood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plainfield, see our Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Charles Reed Elementary Sch Plainfield 0.5 mi 4.9
Aux Sable Middle Sch Joliet 0.7 mi 4.5
Thomas Jefferson Elem Sch Joliet 0.8 mi 3.8
Meadow View Elementary School Plainfield 1.1 mi 4.8
Jones Elementary School Joliet 1.9 mi 5.4
Ridge Elementary School Plainfield 2.2 mi 4.5
Drauden Point Middle School Plainfield 2.2 mi 4.7
Orenic Intermediate School Plainfield 2.6 mi 5.2
Troy Middle School Plainfield 2.7 mi 5.7
Wesmere Elementary School Plainfield 3.0 mi 6.5
Walnut Trails Elem School Shorewood 3.9 mi 7.8
Richard Ira Jones Middle School Plainfield 3.8 mi 5.9
Wallin Oaks Elementary School Plainfield 3.7 mi 6.1
Troy Hofer Elem Sch Shorewood 3.4 mi 7.6
Lincoln Elementary Plainfield 4.1 mi 6.3
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shorewood 3.7 mi 7.0
Plainfield High School Plainfield 4.4 mi 5.0
Grande Park Elem Sch Plainfield 5.4 mi 4.2
Murphy Junior High School Plainfield 5.5 mi 5.1
ST MARY IMMACULATE PARISH SCHOOL Plainfield 4.5 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60586 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,963

Median Home Value

$298,000

Median Rent

$2,159/mo

Population

48,006

College Educated

35.6%

Homeownership

92.6%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

34.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Plainfield South High School has a median household income of $122,963. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $298,000, with a median rent of $2,159/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Minooka Community High School Minooka, IL 4.6
Galesburg Senior High School Galesburg, IL 4.5
MARIST HIGH SCHOOL Chicago, IL 4.5
Proviso East High School Maywood, IL 4.4
AMERICAN SCHOOL Lansing, IL 4.8
Bloom High School Chicago Heights, IL 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Plainfield South High School

What grades does Plainfield South High School serve?

Plainfield South High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Plainfield South High School?

Plainfield South High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,379 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Plainfield South High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Plainfield South High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Plainfield South High School rank in IL?

Plainfield South High School is ranked #3400 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Plainfield South High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Plainfield South High School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Plainfield South High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plainfield South High School has 28.0% math proficiency and 27.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Plainfield South High School a charter school?

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

Is Plainfield South High School a Title I school?

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

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

39.6% of students at Plainfield South 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
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (741/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,379
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
138
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kendall County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Plainfield SD 202
District Enrollment
24,683
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,896
District Rank
#25 of 30

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

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