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Very Good

#1160 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 30% in state

South Elgin High School

High School · SD U-46

760 E Main St, South Elgin, IL 60177

Enrollment

2,770

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,160 of 3,813

In South Elgin

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#4 of 51

SD U-46

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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South Elgin High School

7.1/10

High School in South Elgin · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kenyon Woods Middle School

5.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Clinton Elem School

5.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Elgin High School

South Elgin High School is a public high school in South Elgin, IL, part of SD U-46. South Elgin High School serves approximately 2,770 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. South Elgin High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,160 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for South Elgin High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.4
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

South Elgin High School is a large school: 2,770 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

53% of students at South Elgin High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation26.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,216
Chronic Absenteeism52.6%

South Elgin High School — Students at South Elgin High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
33%
2022
ELA
30%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How South Elgin High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in IL
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Sports
28
14 boys' · 14 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
174 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
26.6% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics28sports offered
14 boys'·14 girls'·65 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

760 E Main St, South Elgin, IL 60177

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Elgin High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Elgin), a more accessible option. Additionally, Larkin High School (rated 5.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Elgin), a more accessible option. For more schools in South Elgin, see our South Elgin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Kenyon Woods Middle School South Elgin 0.3 mi 5.6
Clinton Elem School South Elgin 0.4 mi 5.1
Willard Elem School South Elgin 0.9 mi 2.1
PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bartlett 1.2 mi 8.3
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 1.8 mi 3.2
Huff Elem School Elgin 1.8 mi 3.5
ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin 2.2 mi 5.7
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 1.8 mi 3.8
ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin 2.4 mi 7.1
Ellis Middle School Elgin 2.4 mi 3.7
Channing Memorial Elem School Elgin 2.5 mi 4.7
Washington Elem School Elgin 2.4 mi 3.4
Abbott Middle School Elgin 2.4 mi 3.2
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 2.6 mi 6.9
Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin 2.3 mi 2.2
Nature Ridge Elem School Bartlett 2.0 mi 5.4
ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin 2.8 mi 7.7
Anderson Elem School Saint Charles 2.8 mi 7.7
Ronald D O Neal Elgin 3.0 mi 3.2
Larkin High School Elgin 2.7 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60177 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$123,700

Median Home Value

$296,200

Median Rent

$1,612/mo

Population

24,030

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

81.2%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

39.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alton High School Alton, IL 7.1
Oswego High School Oswego, IL 7.1
Rich Township High School Olympia Fields, IL 7.1
Curie Metropolitan High School Chicago, IL 7.0
Dundee-Crown High School Carpentersville, IL 7.0
Hubbard High School Chicago, IL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Elgin High School

What grades does South Elgin High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Elgin High School?

South Elgin High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,770 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Elgin High School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Elgin High School rank in IL?

South Elgin High School ranks #1,160 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is South Elgin High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Elgin High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South Elgin High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Elgin High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is South Elgin High School a charter school?

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

Is South Elgin High School a Title I school?

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

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

30.6% of students at South Elgin 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,770
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
174
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.6%

District

SD U-46
District Enrollment
34,553
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,216
District Rank
#4 of 51

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