Harrisburg CUSD 3

The Harrisburg CUSD 3 district in Illinois serves 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. While the district faces some challenges, such as high chronic absenteeism rates and academic performance below state averages, there are also bright spots, particularly at Harrisburg Middle School, which is the top-performing school in the district.

Harrisburg Middle School stands out as the strongest performer, ranking in the top 40% of Illinois middle schools and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. Its test scores, especially in English Language Arts, are significantly higher than the district and state averages. In contrast, the other schools in the district, including Harrisburg High School, West Side Primary School, and East Side Intermediate School, have academic performance that is generally below state averages.

Across the district, there are concerns around high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 25.5% at East Side Intermediate School to 46.2% at Harrisburg High School. Additionally, the district serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, with all schools having high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Addressing these challenges and building on the success of Harrisburg Middle School could be key focus areas for improving outcomes across the Harrisburg CUSD 3 district.