2023 Best Schools in Stephenson County

• Forrestville Valley Community Unit School District No. 221, IL•

• PK, K

• grade A

• Students 55

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lena Winslow Community Unit School District No. 202, IL•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 180

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Pearl City Community Unit School District No. 200, IL•

• PK, K-6

• grade B+

• Students 228

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport, IL•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  12 reviews

Sophomore: There are three things I'd like to look for in a good school, whether high school or college: Outstanding academic learning, kind, helpful teachers that put in the work and effort to help students succeed, and a nice environment to make new friends. Aquin Catholic Junior/Senior High School checks all of those off the list! At Aquin, students like me are given the opportunity to obtain excellent learning; teachers here do what they can to help us succeed greatly, and I admire that! There have been many changes at my school recently, but there is not anything that comes to mind that I would like to change! In addition, something about my school is that it's very, very small! Some people may not prefer a high school that small of a size, but I admire being able to attend a small school because I know most of the students I see on campus, and because of that, we're all so close, it feels like family!... Read 12 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 268

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lena Winslow Community Unit School District No. 202, IL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• Students 379

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Pearl City Community Unit School District No. 200, IL•

• 7-8

• grade B+

• Students 77

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Dakota Community Unit School District No. 201, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  83 reviews

Alum: Dakota High School’s facilities and sports are phenomenal. Great Academics as well! They could increase there culture and diversity a bit, but otherwise it is an amazing school to attend!... Read 83 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 406

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Dakota Community Unit School District No. 201, IL•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B

• Students 372

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Orangeville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• PK, K-5

• grade B

• Students 141

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Orangeville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• 6-8

• grade B

• Students 82

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Pearl City Community Unit School District No. 200, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.4 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: The teachers at Pearl City are very knowledgeable and work to prepare their students for after high school. They are committed to their jobs and put their students' needs first. However, Pearl City doesn't offer AP classes for those who wish to pursue a degree in something challenging or for those who want to take challenging courses. Pearl City also doesn't offer classes like welding and automotive classes which I think decreases the enrollment as many students around here go into those career fields.... Read 20 reviews

• grade B

• Students 125

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• PK, K-4

• grade B

• Students 317

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lena Winslow Community Unit School District No. 202, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: At Lena-Winslow, I love all the activities I’m allowed to participate in. If one conflicts with the other, the people in charge of each activity have the ability to be understanding and will work it out so it’s fair for both programs. However, I feel like not all students get recognized. I think that could change. It seems like if you aren’t in football or volleyball, they don’t even acknowledge your accomplishments. I think that could change a little.... Read 33 reviews

• grade B

• Students 237

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Orangeville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 2.38 out of 5  16 reviews

Senior: Orangeville is a great school for small town people. It is a very warm community and with the average class size being 25-30 you really get to know every one. Also, with that few students in each class you get individual attention. But, there aren't many classes to take outside of requirements and extracurriculars are limited.... Read 16 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 103

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  171 reviews

Senior: The staff at FHS actually care about students' success. If a student needs help after school with anything whether it be an assignment or a personal issue, the teachers will take time out of their day just to help that student. The counselors also really make sure they are on the right track to graduation. Tutoring is offered every week for those who need it, free of charge. FHS's college and career center is phenomenal for any student looking for a job or planning on going to college. It holds several events throughout the year where students can visit colleges, attend career or college fairs, learn about FAFSA, college applications, the SAT and the ACT tests and more. There are many clubs, sports, and activities students can partake in at FHS from art clubs and theater clubs to football, basketball, volleyball, and more. My education at FHS really prepared me for the real world. FHS has a lot to offer students of any background and makes sure they are on a path to success!... Read 171 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,099

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• PK, K-4

• grade C+

• Students 309

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: They're so great with my daughter and work with us, her parents, to help her through her various issues and transitioning, and and it's only her first couple of weeks in. They accept her, and their whole concept of 'everyone has a story and we value everyone's story here' is exactly what she's needed.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• Students 281

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C

• Students 289

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• 5-6

• grade C minus

• Students 500

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We really like the school. We haven't had any issues with them. I would like to see the activity times change.... Read 1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 242

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport School District No. 145, IL•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 2 out of 5  1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 544

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-6

• grade unavailable

• Students 155

• Student-teacher ratio 31:1

• Freeport, IL•

• Preschool

• grade unavailable

• Students 151

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Freeport, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 140

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Freeport, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• grade unavailable

• Students 122

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1