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Very Good

#750 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 20% 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

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In South Elgin

#3 of 6

public schools

Illinois high schools

#124 of 703

In district

#8 of 51

SD U-46

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About South Elgin High School

South Elgin High School serves 2,770 students in grades 9-12 in this thriving Kane County community. With 174 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a large suburban high school. Academically, South Elgin High School holds a middle-tier position among Illinois high schools, ranking #1922 out of 3819 schools statewide.

The school shows room for academic growth, with 30% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. This presents opportunities for continued focus on student development and achievement. The school draws from an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $118,484 and median home values average $284,400.

With 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.8%, the surrounding neighborhood reflects strong community support for education. As one of the larger high schools in the region, South Elgin High School offers the advantages that come with size, including diverse course offerings and extracurricular opportunities typical of comprehensive suburban schools. The school is situated in South Elgin's large suburban setting, serving families in this well-established Kane County community known for its residential character and proximity to both Chicago and smaller Illinois towns.

What Parents Should Know

South Elgin High School is a large school with 2,770 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 Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation26.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,947

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 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.7%
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
32%
ELA
35%
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: 8.9/10.

How South Elgin High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IL
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
174 teachers

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 5.3/10, 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 7.6
Clinton Elem School South Elgin 0.4 mi 3.3
Willard Elem School South Elgin 0.9 mi 4.1
PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bartlett 1.2 mi 8.3
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 1.8 mi 5.6
Huff Elem School Elgin 1.8 mi 4.8
ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin 2.2 mi 5.7
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 1.8 mi 4.5
ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin 2.4 mi 7.1
Ellis Middle School Elgin 2.4 mi 5.0
Channing Memorial Elem School Elgin 2.5 mi 4.3
Washington Elem School Elgin 2.4 mi 4.7
Abbott Middle School Elgin 2.4 mi 5.0
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 2.6 mi 6.9
Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin 2.3 mi 4.2
Nature Ridge Elem School Bartlett 2.0 mi 7.4
ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin 2.8 mi 7.7
Anderson Elem School Saint Charles 2.8 mi 8.3
Ronald D O Neal Elgin 3.0 mi 4.0
Larkin High School Elgin 2.7 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Elgin High School has a median household income of $123,700. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,200, with a median rent of $1,612/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Huntley High School Huntley, IL 7.5
Romeoville High School Romeoville, IL 7.5
Curie Metropolitan High School Chicago, IL 7.6
Glenbard North High School Carol Stream, IL 7.6
Lyons Twp High Sch La Grange, IL 7.6
Maine East High School Park Ridge, IL 7.6

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 is ranked #750 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is South Elgin High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Elgin High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Elgin High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Elgin High School has 32.0% math proficiency and 32.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Elevated (860/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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