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
Enrollment
2,770
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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South Elgin High School — Students at South Elgin High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
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: 8.9/10.
How South Elgin High School Compares
See how South Elgin High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (847) 289-3760
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SD U-46- District Enrollment
- 34,553
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,216
- District Rank
- #8 of 51
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
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