Average
#2662 of 3,813 schools in IL
Seymour High School
High School · Payson CUSD 1
420 W Brainard St, Payson, IL 62360
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Payson
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois high schools
#526 of 703
In district
#1 of 2
Payson CUSD 1
About Seymour High School
Seymour High School, located in Payson, Illinois, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 229 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school offers personalized attention within its rural setting. Seymour High has 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their diverse student body.
Academically, the school is ranked at #3363 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 12th percentile state-wide. The MySchoolScout rating reflects areas where there's room for growth: only 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 17% in Math. However, Seymour High School is focused on providing a supportive learning environment that nurtures each student’s development.
Seymour High School sits in the heart of Adams County, offering students a close-knit community feel with plenty of outdoor space nearby. The school's rural location fosters a tight-knit atmosphere where teachers and staff know their students well and are committed to their success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Seymour 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, Seymour 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Seymour High School — Students at Seymour High School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.5%
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: 6.5/10.
How Seymour High School Compares
See how Seymour High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
420 W Brainard St, Payson, IL 62360
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Seymour High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HANNIBAL SR. HIGH (rated 7.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Hannibal), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty High School (rated 7.0/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Liberty), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Quincy Sr High School (rated 5.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Quincy), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Payson, see our Payson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Seymour Elementary School Payson | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Sarah Atwater Denman Elem Quincy | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Quincy | 8.3 mi | 6.6 |
| A. D. STOWELL ELEM. Hannibal | 9.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Western Jr High School Kinderhook | 9.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Dr. Abby Fox Rooney Elem Sch Quincy | 9.9 mi | 8.0 |
| ST DOMINIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quincy | 10.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Liberty Elementary School Liberty | 8.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Liberty High School Liberty | 8.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Quincy Sr High School Quincy | 9.8 mi | 5.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Hannibal | 9.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Thomas S Baldwin Elem Sch Quincy | 9.9 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hannibal | 10.1 mi | 6.1 |
| EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Hannibal | 10.2 mi | 4.2 |
| HANNIBAL MIDDLE Hannibal | 9.8 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Quincy | 10.3 mi | 5.4 |
| HANNIBAL SR. HIGH Hannibal | 10.0 mi | 7.4 |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Quincy | 10.3 mi | 4.7 |
| MARK TWAIN ELEM. Hannibal | 10.4 mi | 5.0 |
| MISSISSIPPI VALLEY SCHOOL Hannibal | 10.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,427
Median Home Value
$126,300
Median Rent
$967/mo
Population
1,540
College Educated
23.4%
Homeownership
89.2%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
44.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Seymour High School has a median household income of $58,427. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,300, with a median rent of $967/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| AlWood Middle/High School Woodhull, IL | 5.5 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City High Sch Bushnell, IL | 5.5 |
| CICS - Ralph Ellison Campus Chicago, IL | 5.5 |
| Carrollton High School Carrollton, IL | 5.5 |
| Chicago Excel Academy HS Chicago, IL | 5.5 |
| FATHER MCGIVNEY CATHOLIC H S Glen Carbon, IL | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Seymour High School
What grades does Seymour High School serve?
Seymour High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Seymour High School?
Seymour High School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Seymour High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Seymour High School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Seymour High School rank in IL?
Seymour High School is ranked #2662 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Seymour High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Seymour High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Seymour High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Seymour High School has 17.0% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Seymour High School a charter school?
No, Seymour High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Seymour High School a Title I school?
No, Seymour High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Seymour High School?
48.5% of students at Seymour 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
- County Safety
- Average (307/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 229
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (217) 656-3355
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Payson CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 479
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,858
- 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 methodologyRelated 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.