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Average

#1614 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 42% in state

South Central High School

High School · South Central CUD 401

800 W Washington St, Farina, IL 62838

Enrollment

195

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois high schools

#280 of 703

In district

#2 of 3

South Central CUD 401

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About South Central High School

South Central High School is a regular public high school located in Farina, Illinois, in rural Fayette County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 195 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, South Central High School offers a relatively personalized educational experience with 18 full-time equivalent teachers.

The academic performance at South Central High School is currently rated 4.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 2410th school in Illinois among 3819 schools, placing it around the 37th percentile statewide. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 20% for students across all grades, while the math proficiency rate stands at 16%. These scores indicate that there is significant room for academic growth and development within the school.

South Central High School is situated in a remote rural area where community involvement plays an essential role. Despite its challenges, the school works diligently to support student learning and development in a close-knit setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 195 students, South Central 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, South Central 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 Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,230

South Central High School — Students at South Central High School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.5%
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
15%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
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: 8.7/10.

How South Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
58th percentile in IL
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

800 W Washington St, Farina, IL 62838

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Patoka Sr High School (rated 6.8/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Patoka), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Clay Community High School (rated 6.5/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Louisville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Brownstown High School (rated 6.3/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Brownstown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Farina, see our Farina schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PETER'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Peter 4.2 mi 4.9
South Central Elementary-Kinmundy Kinmundy 5.6 mi 7.2
South Central Middle School Kinmundy 6.3 mi 5.5
St Elmo Elem School Saint Elmo 13.4 mi 5.7
St Elmo Jr High School Saint Elmo 14.1 mi 6.3
St Elmo Sr High School Saint Elmo 14.1 mi 4.3
Altamont Grade School Altamont 14.9 mi 8.2
ALTAMONT LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Altamont 15.2 mi 4.3
Altamont High School Altamont 15.2 mi 5.3
Iuka Comm Cons School Iuka 15.7 mi 4.7
Brownstown Jr High School Brownstown 14.2 mi 8.1
Brownstown High School Brownstown 14.2 mi 6.3
Brownstown Elem School Brownstown 14.3 mi 6.6
Salem Community High School Salem 16.6 mi 4.4
Franklin Park Middle School Salem 16.9 mi 5.6
Hawthorn Elem School Salem 17.0 mi 3.8
North Clay Community High School Louisville 15.4 mi 6.5
North Clay Elem/Jr High Sch Louisville 15.4 mi 5.8
Patoka Sr High School Patoka 17.3 mi 6.8
Patoka Elem School Patoka 17.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62838 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,063

Median Home Value

$128,000

Median Rent

$735/mo

Population

1,555

College Educated

14.5%

Homeownership

85.1%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Central High School has a median household income of $69,063. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,000, with a median rent of $735/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Galena High School Galena, IL 6.5
Havana High School Havana, IL 6.5
New Berlin High School New Berlin, IL 6.5
North Clay Community High School Louisville, IL 6.5
Wayne City High School Wayne City, IL 6.5
Western High School Barry, IL 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central High School

What grades does South Central High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Central High School?

South Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 195 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Central High School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central High School rank in IL?

South Central High School is ranked #1614 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is South Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 South Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central High School has 16.0% math proficiency and 20.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Central High School a charter school?

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

Is South Central High School a Title I school?

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

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

54.9% of students at South Central 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

City Safety
Average (570/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Fayette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Central CUD 401
District Enrollment
629
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,280
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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