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Very Good

#864 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 23% in state

West Aurora High School

High School · Aurora West USD 129

1201 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506

Enrollment

3,655

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#6 of 45

public schools

Illinois high schools

#154 of 703

In district

#2 of 16

Aurora West USD 129

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About West Aurora High School

West Aurora High School serves 3,655 students in grades 9-12 in Aurora, Illinois, making it one of the larger high schools in Kane County. With 239 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a school of this scale. Academically, West Aurora High School has room for growth, with 19% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts across grade levels.

The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 31st percentile among Illinois high schools. These metrics suggest the school is working to strengthen student outcomes and academic achievement. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $71,560 and median home values average $224,900.

About 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This mix of economic backgrounds creates a varied student body with different needs and experiences. As a regular public high school, West Aurora serves families throughout its attendance area, focusing on preparing students for post-secondary success.

The school is situated in Aurora's large suburban setting, providing students access to the resources and opportunities of a growing metropolitan community in the greater Chicago area.

What Parents Should Know

West Aurora High School is a large school with 3,655 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 Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19%
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.1%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,437

West Aurora High School — Students at West Aurora High School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.3%
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
20%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
23%
2022
ELA
19%

* 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 West Aurora High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
77th percentile in IL
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
239 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
18.1% participation·93 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1201 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Aurora High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Middle School Aurora 0.2 mi 5.7
McCleery Elem School Aurora 0.4 mi 5.4
Freeman Elem School Aurora 0.5 mi 4.1
FOX VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Aurora 0.7 mi 7.1
Greenman Elem School Aurora 0.6 mi 5.3
HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora 0.7 mi 6.9
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 0.8 mi 7.8
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 0.8 mi 7.3
ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL Aurora 1.0 mi 7.9
West Aurora Learning Center/ELA Aurora 0.9 mi 4.8
ST RITA OF CASCIA SCHOOL Aurora 1.2 mi 7.0
Hall Elem School Aurora 1.1 mi 4.6
Smith Elem School Aurora 1.5 mi 6.3
Hill Elem School Aurora 1.3 mi 4.7
Washington Middle School Aurora 1.3 mi 5.6
Illinois Mathematics and Science Aurora 1.6 mi
Hope D Wall TMH Child Dev Ctr Aurora 1.7 mi
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.5 mi 7.1
Nicholson Elem School Montgomery 2.2 mi 6.1
C M Bardwell Elem School Aurora 1.8 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,105

Median Home Value

$246,700

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

Population

49,886

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

67.2%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Aurora High School has a median household income of $76,105. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,700, with a median rent of $1,305/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
J Sterling Morton West High Sch Berwyn, IL 7.2
Victor J Andrew High School Orland Hills, IL 7.4
Huntley High School Huntley, IL 7.5
South Elgin High School South Elgin, IL 7.5
Taft High School Chicago, IL 7.1
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Hills, IL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Aurora High School

What grades does West Aurora High School serve?

West Aurora High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Aurora High School?

West Aurora High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,655 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Aurora High School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Aurora High School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Aurora High School rank in IL?

West Aurora High School is ranked #864 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is West Aurora High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Aurora High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 West Aurora High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Aurora High School has 19.5% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Aurora High School a charter school?

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

Is West Aurora High School a Title I school?

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

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

49.4% of students at West Aurora 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
40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,522/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,655
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
239
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Aurora West USD 129
District Enrollment
11,035
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,379
District Rank
#2 of 16

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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