Winnebago County Schools & Education
Winnebago County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
45/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
73.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
73.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,148
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
45/100
Higher = better
State avg 63/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#92
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Winnebago County
School Verdict
Winnebago County has average school quality (score: 45/100) with a graduation rate of 73.9%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Winnebago County spends $10,148 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Winnebago County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 28% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 14.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 10% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Winnebago County, Illinois
Winnebago County’s Extensive School Network
Winnebago County operates 91 public schools, including 49 elementary and 16 high schools, across 13 districts. This large system serves 43,310 students, primarily in urban and suburban areas.
Investing in Student Success Challenges
The graduation rate is 73.9%, which trails the state average, but the county invests $10,148 per pupil to address student needs. This spending level exceeds the Illinois average of $9,250, reflecting a strong local financial commitment.
Rockford SD 205 and Charter Options
Rockford SD 205 is the largest district, serving 27,442 students across 45 schools. The county is home to three charter schools, which represent 3.3% of the total school landscape.
Large Urban and Suburban High Schools
Forty schools are located in city settings, and the average school size is a substantial 535 students. Jefferson High School and Guilford High School are the largest, both serving over 2,000 students each.
Find Your Fit in Winnebago Districts
Winnebago County offers high per-pupil investment and a variety of urban school choices. Families researching the area can explore diverse housing options near Rockford's major high schools and local charter programs.
School Overview
Total Schools
91
in Winnebago County
Total Enrollment
43,310
students
School Districts
13
districts
Charter Schools
3
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
13 School Districts in Winnebago County
Rockford SD 205
Harlem UD 122
Hononegah CHD 207
Kinnikinnick CCSD 131
Rockton SD 140
Winnebago CUSD 323
County of Winnebago SD 320
Pecatonica CUSD 321
Prairie Hill CCSD 133
Durand CUSD 322
91 Public Schools in Winnebago County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson High School | Rockford SD 205 | 9–12 | High | 2,114 |
| Guilford High School | Rockford SD 205 | 9–12 | High | 2,071 |
| Auburn High School | Rockford SD 205 | 9–12 | High | 1,936 |
| Hononegah CHD High School | Hononegah CHD 207 | 9–12 | High | 1,891 |
| Harlem High School | Harlem UD 122 | 9–12 | High | 1,875 |
| Rockford East High School | Rockford SD 205 | 9–12 | High | 1,718 |
| Rockford Envrnmntl Science Acad | Rockford SD 205 | 6–8 | Middle | 1,051 |
| Eisenhower Middle School | Rockford SD 205 | 6–8 | Middle | 961 |
| Harlem Middle School | Harlem UD 122 | 7–8 | Middle | 957 |
| West Middle School | Rockford SD 205 | 6–8 | Middle | 849 |
| Bernard W Flinn Middle School | Rockford SD 205 | 6–8 | Middle | 830 |
| Abraham Lincoln Middle School | Rockford SD 205 | 6–8 | Middle | 699 |
| Cherry Valley Elementary School | Rockford SD 205 | KG–5 | Primary | 639 |
| Whitehead Elem School | Rockford SD 205 | KG–5 | Primary | 638 |
| Barbour Two-Way Lang Immersion | Rockford SD 205 | KG–8 | Primary | 636 |
| Montessori Elementary School | Rockford SD 205 | PK–8 | Primary | 610 |
| Roscoe Middle School | Kinnikinnick CCSD 131 | 6–8 | Middle | 577 |
| Constance Lane Elementary School | Rockford SD 205 | KG–5 | Primary | 573 |
| Riverdahl Elem School | Rockford SD 205 | KG–5 | Primary | 561 |
| Donald C Parker Early Educ Center | Harlem UD 122 | PK–KG | Primary | 553 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,148
State avg $9,250
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Winnebago County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Winnebago County?
How much does Winnebago County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Winnebago County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Winnebago County, Illinois?
Winnebago County operates 91 public schools, including 49 elementary and 16 high schools, across 13 districts. This large system serves 43,310 students, primarily in urban and suburban areas.
How do schools in Winnebago County perform academically?
The graduation rate is 73.9%, which trails the state average, but the county invests $10,148 per pupil to address student needs. This spending level exceeds the Illinois average of $9,250, reflecting a strong local financial commitment.
What are the major school districts in Winnebago County, Illinois?
Rockford SD 205 is the largest district, serving 27,442 students across 45 schools. The county is home to three charter schools, which represent 3.3% of the total school landscape.
What is the school experience like in Winnebago County?
Forty schools are located in city settings, and the average school size is a substantial 535 students. Jefferson High School and Guilford High School are the largest, both serving over 2,000 students each.
How can I find homes near good schools in Winnebago County, Illinois?
Winnebago County offers high per-pupil investment and a variety of urban school choices. Families researching the area can explore diverse housing options near Rockford's major high schools and local charter programs.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.