A−
Highland Community Unit School District 5
Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 12 towns
Serves Highland, Helvetia, Saline, Burgess, Alhambra, Old Ripley, New Douglas, Alhambra, Leef, Grantfork, Pierron and New Douglas, and parts of St. Jacob, Marine, Olive, Shoal Creek and Walshville.
Students
2,730
Schools
6
Spent per student
$14,068
IL $21,567
Students per teacher
14:1
Free or reduced lunch
29%
Debt
$51.7M
fiscal 2024
What stands out about Highland Community Unit School District 5
- School Grade A−: better than 79% of Illinois districts
- Math proficiency 13 pts above the state
- Reading / language arts 10 pts above the state
- Spends 35% less per student than the IL average
- 14 students per teacher
- Debt of $51.7M, about $18,926 per student
Where would my kid go?
The school path for Hettick.
PK–6Northwestern Elem SchoolNorthwestern Community Unit School District 2
7–8Northwestern Jr High SchoolNorthwestern Community Unit School District 2
9–12Northwestern High SchoolNorthwestern Community Unit School District 2
Test scores vs. IL
2020–21Math proficiency39%
State average 25.8%
Reading / language arts41%
State average 30.7%
Graduation rate (4-year)92%
State average 87.3%
Where the money goes
fiscal 2024$14,068 per student · 35% below IL
Spending
Classroom instruction 60%Support & administration 36%Other 3%
Paid for by
Local (mostly property tax) 51%State 39%Federal 10%
U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.
Enrollment over time
2,830’20
2,839’21
2,796’22
2,780’23
2,730’24
Down 3.5% since 2020.
Students
White 91%Two or more races 4%Hispanic 3%Black <1%Asian <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%
Schools in the district
6 public schools.
Towns served
Nearby districts
Compare spending and schools next door.
Bond County Community Unit School District 2Central, Lagrange, Mills
$17,775per student
Central Community High School District 71St. Rose, Sugar Creek
$16,612per student
Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7Hamel, Omphghent, Pin Oak
$16,319per student
Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3Grisham, Lagrange
$15,125per student
District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.