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Very Good

#614 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 16% in state

Southwestern High School

High School · Southwestern CUSD 9

8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL 62079

Enrollment

376

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Piasa

#1 of 2

public schools

Illinois high schools

#94 of 703

In district

#2 of 5

Southwestern CUSD 9

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Southwestern High School

Southwestern High School in Piasa, Illinois, is a rural high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 376 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated faculty consists of 31 full-time equivalent teachers who support academic growth in various subjects.

Southwestern High School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks at number 1833 among 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 52nd percentile. While test scores show that only 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 24% in Math, the school is committed to continuous improvement and student development. Set amidst a rural setting, Southwestern High School fosters a close-knit community where students and teachers can work closely together.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Southwestern 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 Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation91.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,941

Southwestern High School — Students at Southwestern High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

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 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
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: 7.8/10.

How Southwestern High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
84th percentile in IL
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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 6.4/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Alton), a more accessible option. Another option is Bunker Hill High School (rated 3.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Bunker Hill), a more accessible option. Additionally, Jersey Comm High School (rated 3.8/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Jerseyville), 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 5.2
Medora Intermediate School Medora 3.8 mi 7.7
Brighton North Primary School Brighton 4.8 mi 4.6
Shipman Elem School Shipman 5.2 mi 7.2
Lewis & Clark Elem School Godfrey 10.8 mi 5.7
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Godfrey 11.9 mi 5.8
North Elementary School Godfrey 12.1 mi 4.7
Jerseyville East Elem School Jerseyville 9.9 mi 4.7
Alton High School Alton 12.7 mi 6.4
Jersey Community Middle School Jerseyville 10.1 mi 5.5
Jersey Comm High School Jerseyville 10.1 mi 3.8
Bunker Hill High School Bunker Hill 11.1 mi 3.9
Jerseyville West Elem School Jerseyville 10.7 mi 4.5
ST AMBROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Godfrey 13.6 mi 6.1
Wolf Ridge Education Center Bunker Hill 11.3 mi 5.0
EVANGELICAL SCHOOL Godfrey 13.7 mi 4.6
Gilson Brown Elem School Godfrey 13.6 mi 6.5
Eunice Smith Elem School Alton 14.4 mi 5.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwestern High School has a median household income of $129,205. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,100. The local poverty rate of 0.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL Chicago, IL 7.7
Tremont High School Tremont, IL 7.7
Indian Creek High School Shabbona, IL 7.8
World Language High School Chicago, IL 7.8
Cambridge Jr/Sr High School Cambridge, IL 7.6
Infinity Math Science & Tech HS Chicago, IL 7.6

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 is ranked #614 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Southwestern High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwestern High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Southwestern High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwestern High School has 24.5% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
19 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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