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Below Average

#3463 of 3,813 schools in IL

Pope Co High School

High School · Pope Co CUD 1

125 State Highway 146 W, Golconda, IL 62938

Enrollment

173

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Golconda

#2 of 2

public schools

Illinois high schools

#662 of 703

In district

#2 of 2

Pope Co CUD 1

About Pope Co High School

Pope Co High School is a rural high school located in Golconda, Illinois, on State Highway 146 West. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 173 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Pope Co High School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment that nurtures each student's personal development.

The academic performance at Pope Co High School is currently in need of improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and state ranking of 3754 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. The ELA/reading proficiency rate stands at 18%, while the math proficiency rate is 15%. These scores suggest there is significant room for academic growth and improvement.

Pope Co High School sits in a rural setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere that emphasizes personal connections and support among teachers and peers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 173 students, Pope Co High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Pope Co 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,891

Pope Co High School — Students at Pope Co High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.2%
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
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
ELA
15%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Pope Co High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
9th percentile in IL
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

125 State Highway 146 W, Golconda, IL 62938

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pope Co High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Livingston Central High School (rated 7.9/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Smithland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Paducah Tilghman High School (rated 6.9/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Paducah), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Massac County High School (rated 6.0/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Metropolis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Golconda, see our Golconda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Pope County Elementary School Golconda 0.1 mi 6.5
North Livingston Elementary School Burna 11.8 mi 3.2
Livingston County Middle School Burna 11.8 mi 6.5
Jefferson Elem School Metropolis 12.5 mi 7.6
Unity Elem School Brookport 15.4 mi 4.5
Hardin County High School Elizabethtown 14.2 mi 4.7
Hardin County Elem School Elizabethtown 14.2 mi 7.2
Hardin County Jr High School Elizabethtown 14.2 mi 5.3
Livingston Central High School Smithland 17.3 mi 7.9
Brookport Elementary School Brookport 17.9 mi 6.9
Massac Jr High School Metropolis 17.0 mi 6.7
Massac County High School Metropolis 17.1 mi 6.0
Metropolis Elem School Metropolis 18.7 mi 5.7
Franklin Elem School Metropolis 18.0 mi 7.9
Choices Educational Center Paducah 20.7 mi
Paducah Head Start Preschool Paducah 20.8 mi 7.7
McNabb Elementary School Paducah 20.6 mi 5.1
South Livingston Elementary School Smithland 20.8 mi 8.0
Paducah Tilghman High School Paducah 21.2 mi 6.9
McCracken Regional School Paducah 21.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62938 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,931

Median Home Value

$151,000

Median Rent

$415/mo

Population

2,659

College Educated

17%

Homeownership

86.4%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

17.1%

Median Age

55.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pope Co High School has a median household income of $64,931. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,000, with a median rent of $415/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Winchester High School Winchester, IL 4.5
Amboy High School Amboy, IL 4.6
Pleasant Hill High School Pleasant Hill, IL 4.6
Ramsey High School Ramsey, IL 4.6
A-C Central High School Ashland, IL 4.3
Delavan High School Delavan, IL 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pope Co High School

What grades does Pope Co High School serve?

Pope Co High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pope Co High School?

Pope Co High School has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pope Co High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pope Co 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 Pope Co High School rank in IL?

Pope Co High School is ranked #3463 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Pope Co High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pope Co High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Pope Co High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pope Co High School has 14.8% math proficiency and 18.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pope Co High School a charter school?

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

Is Pope Co High School a Title I school?

No, Pope Co High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pope Co High School?

64.7% of students at Pope Co 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pope County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pope Co CUD 1
District Enrollment
478
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,807
District Rank
#2 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

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