For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 8,125 students in Rockford, IL.
The top-ranked public high schools in Rockford, IL are Auburn High School, Guilford High School and Rockford East High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rockford, IL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 15% (versus the 29% statewide average). High schools in Rockford have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public high schools.
Rockford, IL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 69%, which is less than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Guilford High School, with 77% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Rockford, IL (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Auburn High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5110 Auburn St
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 966-3300
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 966-3300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,957 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #22.
Guilford High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5620 Spring Creek Rd
Rockford, IL 61114
(815) 654-4870
Rockford, IL 61114
(815) 654-4870
Gr: 9-12 | 2,216 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Rockford East High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2929 Charles St
Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 229-2100
Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 229-2100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,719 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Roosevelt Center
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
978 Haskell Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3251
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3251
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #55.
Jefferson High School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4145 Samuelson Rd
Rockford, IL 61109
(815) 874-9536
Rockford, IL 61109
(815) 874-9536
Gr: 9-12 | 2,173 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
College And Career Education Cent
Alternative School
4151 Samuelson Rd
Rockford, IL 61109
(815) 966-6639
Rockford, IL 61109
(815) 966-6639
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Winnebago Co Detention Center
Alternative School
5350 Northrock Dr
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 516-2980
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 516-2980
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Rockford, IL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Rockford, IL include Auburn High School, Guilford High School and Rockford East High School.
How many public high schools are located in Rockford?
7 public high schools are located in Rockford.
What is the racial composition of students in Rockford?
Rockford public high schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Illinois public high schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Rockford are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Rockford include: Jefferson High School vs. Guilford High School, Guilford High School vs. Jefferson High School, Rockford East High School vs. Guilford High School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.