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Excellent

#518 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 14% in state

Southwestern High School

High School · Southwestern CUSD 9

8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL 62079

Enrollment

376

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#518 of 3,813

In Piasa

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 5

Southwestern CUSD 9

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Southwestern High School

8.1/10

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

Southwestern Middle School

6.5/10

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

Medora Intermediate School

5.9/10

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

About Southwestern High School

Southwestern High School is a public high school in Piasa, IL, part of Southwestern CUSD 9. Southwestern High School serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwestern High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #518 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Southwestern High School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts above IL schools
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Southwestern High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation91.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,053
Chronic Absenteeism24.2%

Southwestern High School — Students at Southwestern High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.6% (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
52%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
ELA
27%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Southwestern High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in IL
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
6.7/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
91.2% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL 62079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwestern High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alton High School (rated 7.1/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Alton), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jersey Comm High School (rated 4.8/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Jerseyville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bunker Hill High School (rated 4.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Bunker Hill), a more accessible option. For more schools in Piasa, see our Piasa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Southwestern Middle School Piasa 0.0 mi 6.5
Medora Intermediate School Medora 3.8 mi 5.9
Brighton North Primary School Brighton 4.8 mi 3.8
Shipman Elem School Shipman 5.2 mi 7.3
Lewis & Clark Elem School Godfrey 10.8 mi 4.1
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Godfrey 11.9 mi 5.8
North Elementary School Godfrey 12.1 mi 4.0
Jerseyville East Elem School Jerseyville 9.9 mi 6.7
Alton High School Alton 12.7 mi 7.1
Jersey Community Middle School Jerseyville 10.1 mi 6.2
Jersey Comm High School Jerseyville 10.1 mi 4.8
Bunker Hill High School Bunker Hill 11.1 mi 4.8
Jerseyville West Elem School Jerseyville 10.7 mi 5.1
ST AMBROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Godfrey 13.6 mi 6.1
Wolf Ridge Education Center Bunker Hill 11.3 mi 4.1
EVANGELICAL SCHOOL Godfrey 13.7 mi 4.6
Gilson Brown Elem School Godfrey 13.6 mi 3.4
Eunice Smith Elem School Alton 14.4 mi 4.0
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alton 14.6 mi 6.6
Alton Middle School Alton 14.9 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$129,205

Median Home Value

$234,100

Population

370

College Educated

10.5%

Homeownership

79.4%

Poverty Rate

0%

Median Age

48.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
IC CATHOLIC PREP Elmhurst, IL 8.0
Tremont High School Tremont, IL 8.0
Tri-Valley High School Downs, IL 8.2
ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL Aurora, IL 7.9
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School Paxton, IL 7.8
Indian Creek High School Shabbona, IL 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwestern High School

What grades does Southwestern High School serve?

Southwestern High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southwestern High School?

Southwestern High School has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwestern High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwestern High School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwestern High School rank in IL?

Southwestern High School ranks #518 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Southwestern High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwestern High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Southwestern High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwestern High School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Southwestern High School a charter school?

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

Is Southwestern High School a Title I school?

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

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

40.7% of students at Southwestern 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Macoupin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.2%

District

Southwestern CUSD 9
District Enrollment
1,162
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,053
District Rank
#1 of 5

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