Average
#1817 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 48% in state
Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch
High School · Zion-Benton Twp HSD 126
3901 21st St, Zion, IL 60099
Enrollment
2,159
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,159
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zion
#3 of 9
public schools
Illinois high schools
#327 of 703
In district
#1 of 2
Zion-Benton Twp HSD 126
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch
Zion-Benton Township High School serves 2,159 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Zion, Illinois. With 140 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school is currently working to strengthen its academic outcomes, with room for growth in reading and language arts where 13% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.
This presents an opportunity for the school community to focus on supporting student achievement and development. The school's academic rating reflects these ongoing challenges, ranking in the 16th percentile among Illinois high schools. Located at 3901 21st Street, the school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $65,021 and median home values average $172,100.
The surrounding ZIP code area is home to over 31,000 residents, with 17% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.5%, reflecting a working-class community with varied economic circumstances. Zion-Benton Township High School sits in Lake County's large suburban setting, serving as an important educational hub for families seeking a comprehensive high school experience in northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border.
What Parents Should Know
Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch is a large school with 2,159 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.
While current test scores at Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch — Students at Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
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: 7.0/10.
How Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch Compares
See how Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 13% (2022).
Location
3901 21st St, Zion, IL 60099
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OUR LADY OF HUMILITY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Beach Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Waukegan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beulah Park Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Zion, see our Zion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Park Middle School Beach Park | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| West Elementary School Zion | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Beulah Park Elem School Zion | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Shiloh Park Middle School Zion | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Zion | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Kenneth Murphy School Beach Park | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Lakeview School Zion | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Zion Central Middle School Zion | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| New Tech High - Zion-Benton East Zion | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Elmwood Elem School Zion | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Oak Crest School Beach Park | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Prairie Trail School Wadsworth | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| OUR LADY OF HUMILITY SCHOOL Beach Park | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| North Prairie Jr High Winthrop Harbor | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Westfield School Winthrop Harbor | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| H R McCall Elem School Waukegan | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| East Elementary School Zion | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| LAKE COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL Waukegan | 3.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Howe Elementary School Beach Park | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Little Fort Elem School Waukegan | 4.1 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60099 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,647
Median Home Value
$190,300
Median Rent
$1,131/mo
Population
30,485
College Educated
16.4%
Homeownership
62.8%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch has a median household income of $65,647. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,300, with a median rent of $1,131/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alton High School Alton, IL | 6.4 |
| Collinsville High School Collinsville, IL | 6.4 |
| Comm H S Dist 99 - South High Sch Downers Grove, IL | 6.4 |
| Bartlett High School Bartlett, IL | 6.5 |
| Bloomington High School Bloomington, IL | 6.5 |
| Kennedy High School Chicago, IL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch
What grades does Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch serve?
Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch?
Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch has an enrollment of approximately 2,159 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch rank in IL?
Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch is ranked #1817 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch has 12.5% math proficiency and 17.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch a charter school?
No, Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch a Title I school?
No, Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch?
53.9% of students at Zion-benton Twnshp Hi Sch 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
- 2,159
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 140
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (847) 731-9303
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Zion-Benton Twp HSD 126- District Enrollment
- 2,573
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,137
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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