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Pekin Community High School

Q: Is Pekin Community High School a good school?

Pekin Community High School ranks 392 nd of 698 Illinois high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

392^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 698 Illinois High Schools

Better than 44% of Illinois high schools

Summary

Pekin Community High School is a public high school serving 1,737 students in grades 9-12 in Pekin, Illinois. The school is part of the Pekin Central School District 303, which is ranked 578 out of 811 school districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Pekin Community High School has seen a decline in its statewide ranking over the past few years, dropping from a high of 125 out of 643 Illinois high schools in 2015-2016 (rated 4 stars) to a current ranking of 392 out of 698 high schools in 2024-2025 (rated 2 stars). The school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with relatively strong performance for African American and Special Education students, but lower rankings for Hispanic, White, and Low Socioeconomic Status students. Pekin Community High School maintains a high four-year graduation rate, but also has a high dropout rate and chronic absenteeism rate, which are significantly higher than the state average.

When compared to nearby high schools, such as Illini Bluffs High School and Morton High School, both of which are rated 4 or 5 stars by SchoolDigger, Pekin Community High School generally performs worse in terms of academic achievement, graduation rates, and other key metrics. The school's high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds may be a contributing factor to its lower performance, despite a significant increase in per-student spending in recent years.

1,712

Students ?

15.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,828

Per pupil spending ?

44.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1903 Court St
Pekin, IL 61554-5212

(309) 347-4101

District: Pekin Central School District 303

Feeder schools for Pekin Community High School:

Elementary:	C B Smith Elementary School
	Dirksen Elementary School
	Jefferson Elementary School
	L E Starke Elementary School
	More...
	Marquette Elementary School
	Rankin Elementary School
	Scott Altman Primary School
	South Pekin Elementary School
	Spring Lake Elementary School
	Willow Elementary School
Middle:	Broadmoor Junior High School
	Edison Junior High School
	Georgetown Middle School
	Washington Intermediate School
	More...
	Wilson Intermediate School

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.8%

Hispanic:

3.7%

Two or more races:

3.5%

See top rated Illinois high schools

Compare Pekin Community High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 77th percentile in 2015 → 44th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (39% vs 48% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (43% vs 25% Illinois)

!Ranking has slipped — down 33 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school39%

District avg39%

Illinois avg48%

392^nd of 698

Illinois public high schools ?

Bottom 44%▼ down 33 pts since 2015

From top 23% (2015) to bottom 44% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

578^th of 811Pekin Central School District 303 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	45.1	392 of 698	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.5	339 of 697	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.5	248 of 699	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.6	272 of 699	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.3	294 of 688	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.0	213 of 701	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.0	239 of 647	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.4	241 of 642	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	68.0	125 of 643	80.6%	★★★★☆
2015	70.6	141 of 614	77.0%	★★★★☆
2014	60.7	281 of 670	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	55.8	335 of 670	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	60.0	288 of 665	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	68.1	229 of 655	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	46.8	412 of 643	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	48.9	370 of 632	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	45.9	392 of 624	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	56.5	300 of 612	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	50.5	343 of 596	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2005	60.0	262 of 590	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2004	48.8	360 of 592	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2003	60.3	251 of 586	57.2%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	50.8	128 of 323	60.4%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	31.0	341 of 491	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.2	198 of 429	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.2	127 of 428	70.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	46.6	374 of 685	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.3	374 of 664	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.5	278 of 656	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.9	254 of 658	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.0	256 of 639	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.5	222 of 665	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.6	282 of 620	54.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	33.1	243 of 366	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.5	171 of 336	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.3	182 of 333	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.3	112 of 335	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	23.4	257 of 317	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	70.0	67 of 317	78.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	46.5	362 of 672	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.8	369 of 639	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.7	291 of 644	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.3	177 of 626	71.7%	★★★★☆
2021	52.9	226 of 611	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.5	135 of 639	78.9%	★★★★☆
2018	65.5	150 of 585	74.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	41.8	407 of 685	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.6	282 of 668	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.9	212 of 668	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.9	281 of 664	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.0	337 of 653	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	61.3	213 of 675	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.9	206 of 619	66.7%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	34.6	131 of 211	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.7	99 of 163	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.9	70 of 170	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.5	88 of 160	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.6	97 of 165	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	19.5	121 of 154	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	50.4	178 of 527	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.2	179 of 482	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.0	199 of 476	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	31.2	286 of 493	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.4	239 of 453	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.9	241 of 473	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	31.1	241 of 374	35.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	24.5	460 of 564	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.8	385 of 554	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.0	276 of 557	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	38.5	341 of 560	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.0	340 of 553	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	47.5	248 of 552	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.6	273 of 548	50.2%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2025)66th percentile+22 vs school

African American (2025)60th percentile+17 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)46th percentile~ school

Female (2025)45th percentile~ school

Male (2025)41st percentile-3 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)38th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2025)34th percentile-10 vs school

Disabled (2025)31st percentile-13 vs school

White (2025)18th percentile-25 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts37%-14 vs state

Science35%-14 vs state

Mathematics30%-9 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Sunday, September 18, 2011

I was a student many years ago at Pekin Community High School. As a matter of fact I was a drop out. But I wish I hadn't because Pekin is on an academic level, preparing teens for adulthood.

The teachers are excellent

The administration/deans/principles/superintendant is corrupt
In their eyes if youre kid aint rich he or she aint gittin educated

But as for the teachers they do their best to make that school run every single day

John Taylor Close Quote

Schools Near Pekin Community High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				PreACT Secure English Language Arts (2025)		PreACT Secure Mathematics (2025)		PreACT Secure Science (2025)		ACT English Language Arts (2025)	ACT Mathematics (2025)	ACT Science (2025)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PreACT Secure English Language Arts 9th Grade	PreACT Secure English Language Arts 10th Grade	PreACT Secure Mathematics 9th Grade	PreACT Secure Mathematics 10th Grade	PreACT Secure Science 9th Grade	PreACT Secure Science 10th Grade	ACT English Language Arts 11th Grade	ACT Mathematics 11th Grade	ACT Science 11th Grade	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Pekin Community High School	Public	9-12	1903 Court St	Pekin	61554	Tazewell County	Pekin Central School District 303	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 347-4101	1,712	110	15.5	44.6%	1,537 (89.8%)	26 (1.5%)	64 (3.7%)	18 (1.1%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	60 (3.5%)	45.1	392^nd of 698 public high schools	43.8%		46.5	339^th of 697 public high schools	51.4%	53	61.9	47.2	30.2	21.7	46.3	37.4	37.3	30.0	34.8	99.5	99.3	99.3	99.3	99.6	99.4	99.6	99.0	$17,828	$1,086	$16,742
Tazewell County Area EFE RDS	Public	9-12	200 S 2nd St Ste 12	Pekin	61554	Tazewell County	Mason/Tazewell/Woodford ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(309) 353-5011	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Limestone Community High School	Public	9-12	4201 Airport Rd	Peoria	61607	Peoria County	Limestone CHSD 310	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 697-6271	898	68	13.2	49.8%	647 (72.0%)	105 (11.7%)	56 (6.2%)	7 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	79 (8.8%)	40.2	439^th of 698 public high schools	37.1%		47.9	326^th of 697 public high schools	53.2%	113	48.3	43.3	29.8	26.0	34.6	38.9	39.5	25.1	41.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	95.8	$18,972	$863	$18,109
Peoria City Jvnl Det Center 9-12	Public	9-12	4201 Airport Rd	Peoria	61607	Peoria County	Limestone CHSD 310	No	(n/a)	No	No	(309) 697-6271	0	4	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Tremont High School	Public	9-12	400 W Pearl St	Tremont	61568	Tazewell County	Tremont CUSD 702	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 925-2051	288	24	11.7	18.4%	260 (90.3%)	3 (1.0%)	15 (5.2%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.1%)	82.9	95^th of 698 public high schools	86.4%		86.5	82^nd of 697 public high schools	88.2%	13	68.6	72.2	44.3	34.7	55.7	63.9	80.3	63.6	68.2	95.1	95.1	95.1	95.1	95.5	94.8	95.1	91.6	$15,084	$431	$14,653
East Peoria High School	Public	9-12	1401 E Washington St	East Peoria	61611	Tazewell County	East Peoria CHSD 309	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 694-8300	823	57	14.4	56.3%	665 (80.8%)	30 (3.6%)	57 (6.9%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	66 (8.0%)	35.6	479^th of 698 public high schools	31.4%		40	390^th of 697 public high schools	44.0%	89	45.5	40.7	26.1	19.1	34.5	33.3	44.3	26.3	36.6	98.9	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.2	99.1	99.1	96.8	$19,342	$615	$18,727
Manual High School	Public	9-12	811 S Griswold St	Peoria	61605	Peoria County	Peoria School District 150	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 672-6600	731	44	16.6	89.7%	66 (9.0%)	485 (66.3%)	133 (18.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (6.0%)	5.6	668^th of 698 public high schools	4.3%		12.5	631^st of 697 public high schools	9.5%	37	16.2	17.4	3.6	1.2	13.4	19.0	4.5	2.2	5.3	98.4	98.8	98.8	98.8	98.0	98.4	98.3	97.2	$18,930	$2,047	$16,883
Morton High School	Public	9-12	350 N Illinois Ave	Morton	61550	Tazewell County	Morton CUSD 709	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 266-7182	1,061	72	14.8	15.6%	938 (88.4%)	15 (1.4%)	45 (4.2%)	31 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.0%)	90.7	54^th of 698 public high schools	92.3%		92.6	58^th of 697 public high schools	91.7%	4	79.7	75.2	47.7	46.6	71.3	72.5	74.5	61.1	77.3	95.7	95.7	95.7	95.7	95.8	95.7	96.4	95.1	$14,526	$172	$14,355
Peoria Regional High School	Public	9-12	908 N Sterling Ave	West Peoria	61604	Peoria County	Peoria ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(309) 495-6800	0	2	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Illini Bluffs High School	Public	9-12	9611 S Hanna City Glasford Rd	Glasford	61533	Peoria County	Illini Bluffs CUSD 327	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(309) 389-2231	249	23	10.7	24.1%	226 (90.8%)	4 (1.6%)	10 (4.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.2%)	67.9	186^th of 698 public high schools	73.4%		68.7	170^th of 697 public high schools	75.6%	16	76.4	46.7	58.2	31.7	60.0	41.7	56.1	42.4	45.5	99.2	98.8	98.8	98.8	99.2	99.2	99.2	98.4	$17,614	$37	$17,577

Frequently Asked Questions about Pekin Community High School

What district is Pekin Community High School in?

Pekin Central School District 303

What is the racial makeup of Pekin Community High School?

Students at Pekin Community High School are 90% White, 4% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American, 1% Asian.

Is Pekin Community High School a good school?

Pekin Community High School ranks 392^nd of 698 Illinois high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Pekin Community High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,712 students attended Pekin Community High School.

What schools feed into Pekin Community High School?

Rate Pekin Community High School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.