Summary:
The 61081 zip code is home to a single public high school, Sterling High School, which serves grades 9-12. The school is part of the Sterling CUSD 5 district, which is ranked 483 out of 811 districts in Illinois and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Sterling High School has seen fluctuations in its statewide ranking, ranging from 199 out of 698 Illinois high schools (4 stars) in 2024-2025 to 372 out of 697 (2 stars) in 2023-2024. The school's test scores in subjects like English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are generally below the state averages, with some exceptions. Additionally, the school has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate of 25.4% in 2024-2025, which may be a contributing factor to its academic performance. Over 50% of Sterling High School students receive free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant socioeconomic challenges in the area.
Despite the school's fluctuating performance and academic challenges, it does have some positive attributes. In 2024-2025, Sterling High School had an 89.0% four-year graduation rate and a 2.4% dropout rate. The school also spends $12,393 per student, which is higher than the state average, suggesting that resources are being allocated to support student learning. However, this higher spending does not necessarily translate to better academic outcomes, and the school's overall performance remains an area for improvement.
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