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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,920

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
16%
2022
ELA
13%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in IL
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
140 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,454/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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