Meridian High School

Summary:

Meridian High School is a public high school located in Macon, Illinois, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 304 students. The school is part of the Meridian CUSD 15 district, which is ranked 407 out of 813 districts in Illinois and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

One of Meridian High School's key strengths is its consistently high four-year graduation rates, ranging from 86.7% to 97.3% over the past five years, which is notably higher than the nearby Warrensburg-Latham High School at 89.5% and Sangamon Valley High School at 88.2%. However, the school has experienced higher chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.6% to 35.0%, which is an area of concern. Academically, Meridian High School's performance on standardized tests, such as the SAT and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), is generally lower than the state averages, with proficiency rates in SAT Mathematics (20%) and SAT English Language Arts (27.1%) below the state averages of 26.1% and 31.1%, respectively. Interestingly, the school's ISA Science proficiency rate of 60.6% was higher than the state average of 53.2%.

Meridian High School has a relatively high percentage of low socioeconomic status (SES) students, with 33.88% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which is higher than the nearby Warrensburg-Latham High School (36.67%) and Sangamon Valley High School (52.78%), but lower than the more urban schools like MacArthur High School (66.97%) and Eisenhower High School (73.23%). The school's statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, suggesting inconsistent performance, and it generally performs better than the lower-ranked schools in the area but lags behind the higher-performing schools.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 728 S Wall St
       Macon, IL  62544-4380


(217) 764-5233

District: Meridian CUSD 15

SchoolDigger Rank:
268th of 697 Illinois High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,438 Help


Feeder schools for Meridian High School:

Elementary:    Meridian Elementary School
Middle:    Meridian Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.2 Help
Number of students:  304

Racial breakdown:

White:
92.8%
Hispanic:
3.6%
Two or more races:
2.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  33.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Meridian High School ranks better than 61.5% of high schools in Illinois. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.32. (See more...)
Help
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Meridian High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Meridian High School is $12,438.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Meridian High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Meridian High School 268th of 697 Illinois public high schools. (See Meridian High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Meridian CUSD 15:

SchoolDigger ranks Meridian CUSD 15 407th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Meridian High School

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Rank History for all students at Meridian High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 65.03 207th 586 64.7%
2004 75.15 123rd 592 79.2%
2005 55.37 300th 590 49.2%
2006 71.33 159th 596 73.3%
2007 35.94 446th 612 27.1%
2008 62.97 252nd 624 59.6%
2009 57.60 293rd 632 53.6%
2010 45.60 421st 643 34.5%
2011 59.77 298th 655 54.5%
2012 53.87 353rd 665 46.9%
2013 53.71 349th 670 47.9%
2014 50.56 362nd 670 46.0%
2015 40.13 345th 614 43.8%
2016 22.82 514th 643 20.1%
2017 66.74 178th 642 72.3%
2018 43.28 379th 647 41.4%
2019 51.54 314th 701 55.2%
2021 53.49 269th 688 60.9%
2022 39.17 433rd 699 38.1%
2023 46.80 369th 699 47.2%
2024 54.32 268th 697 61.5%
See the entire list of Illinois High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Meridian High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.56 399th 585 31.8%
2019 30.11 462nd 639 27.7%
2021 81.94 76th 611 87.6%
2022 44.54 334th 626 46.6%
2023 40.86 385th 644 40.2%
2024 88.89 50th 639 92.2%
See the entire list of Best Illinois High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Meridian High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.06 405th 620 34.7%
2019 61.81 226th 665 66.0%
2021 69.39 170th 639 73.4%
2022 42.64 380th 658 42.2%
2023 43.22 375th 656 42.8%
2024 51.59 279th 664 58.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Meridian High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.68 318th 619 48.6%
2019 37.73 426th 675 36.9%
2021 38.72 376th 653 42.4%
2022 34.77 441st 664 33.6%
2023 48.35 326th 668 51.2%
2024 54.69 251st 668 62.4%
See the entire list of Best Illinois High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Meridian High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.66 409th 548 25.4%
2019 30.95 380th 552 31.2%
2021 33.42 345th 553 37.6%
2022 22.08 467th 560 16.6%
2023 26.75 429th 557 23.0%
2024 35.03 331st 554 40.3%
See the entire list of Best Illinois High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Meridian High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

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Enrollment information for Meridian High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 399 2 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1996 399 2 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1997 376 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 378
1998 343 3 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 348
1999 332 3 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 337
2000 335 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 335
2001 319 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 320
2002 314 0 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 317
2003 314 0 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 317
2004 325 0 2 3 2 n/a n/a 0 332
2005 329 0 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 333
2006 332 0 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 335
2007 338 0 4 3 0 n/a n/a 3 348
2008 320 3 4 2 0 n/a n/a 4 333
2009 325 1 2 1 0 n/a n/a 5 334
2010 323 2 2 1 0 n/a n/a 8 336
2011 298 2 1 2 0 0 37 0 340
2012 320 1 1 3 0 1 13 0 339
2013 326 2 0 1 0 0 15 0 344
2014 328 0 1 2 0 0 10 0 341
2015 303 1 0 2 0 0 6 0 312
2016 291 1 0 3 0 0 5 0 300
2017 258 1 0 6 0 0 4 0 269
2018 254 2 0 5 0 0 2 0 263
2019 247 2 1 7 0 0 2 0 259
2020 250 2 1 8 0 0 3 0 264
2021 277 2 0 6 0 0 10 0 295
2022 285 5 1 10 0 0 9 0 310
2023 282 2 1 11 0 0 8 0 304

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Meridian High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 403 25.0 16.1 n/a
1996 403 25.0 16.1 n/a
1997 378 24.0 15.8 n/a
1998 348 23.0 15.1 n/a
1999 337 24.0 14.0 n/a
2000 335 22.0 15.2 n/a
2001 320 22.0 14.5 n/a
2002 317 22.4 14.2 11
2003 317 22.4 14.2 11
2004 332 19.0 17.5 13
2005 333 20.1 16.6 12.3
2006 335 20.3 16.5 13.4
2007 348 23.0 15.1 18
2008 333 20.0 16.7 19.1
2009 334 20.9 16.0 21
2010 336 21.3 15.7 24.4
2011 340 20.4 16.6 25.6
2012 339 20.0 16.9 29.8
2013 344 20.0 17.2 30.2
2014 341 18.0 18.9 35.5
2015 312 21.0 14.8 36.5
2016 300 19.0 15.7 30
2017 269 20.5 13.1 31.2
2018 263 20.7 12.6 26.6
2019 259 21.0 12.3 26.6
2020 264 21.0 12.5 28.4
2021 295 n/a n/a n/a
2022 310 22.0 14.0 26.5
2023 304 19.9 15.2 33.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Meridian High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 403 25.0 16.1 n/a
1996 403 25.0 16.1 n/a
1997 378 24.0 15.8 n/a
1998 348 23.0 15.1 n/a
1999 337 24.0 14.0 n/a
2000 335 22.0 15.2 n/a
2001 320 22.0 14.5 n/a
2002 317 22.4 14.2 11
2003 317 22.4 14.2 11
2004 332 19.0 17.5 13
2005 333 20.1 16.6 12.3
2006 335 20.3 16.5 13.4
2007 348 23.0 15.1 18
2008 333 20.0 16.7 19.1
2009 334 20.9 16.0 21
2010 336 21.3 15.7 24.4
2011 340 20.4 16.6 25.6
2012 339 20.0 16.9 29.8
2013 344 20.0 17.2 30.2
2014 341 18.0 18.9 35.5
2015 312 21.0 14.8 36.5
2016 300 19.0 15.7 30
2017 269 20.5 13.1 31.2
2018 263 20.7 12.6 26.6
2019 259 21.0 12.3 26.6
2020 264 21.0 12.5 28.4
2021 295 n/a n/a n/a
2022 310 22.0 14.0 26.5
2023 304 19.9 15.2 33.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

Meridian High School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMeningococcal
2015100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
2016100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%24.5%
2017100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%99.6%100.0%20.6%
2018100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%26.2%
2019100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%99.6%100.0%54.4%
2021100.0%99.7%99.7%99.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%95.6%
2022100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%98.1%
2023100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
2024100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%99.7%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Meridian High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $288 (2.6%) $10,751 (97.4%) $11,039
2020 $277 (2.7%) $10,040 (97.3%) $10,317
2021 $619 (6.3%) $9,145 (93.7%) $9,764
2022 $619 (6.3%) $9,145 (93.7%) $9,764
2023 $587 (5.0%) $11,165 (95.0%) $11,752
2024 $534 (4.3%) $11,904 (95.7%) $12,438

Data source: Illinois Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Meridian High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 314th of 701 High schoolsRanks 369th of 699 High schools
 8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade Mathematics (Meridian High School)22.613.5
 9.1%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Meridian CUSD 15)22.613.5
 9.1%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)34.826.7
 8.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Meridian High School)24.520.3
 4.2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Meridian CUSD 15)24.520.3
 4.2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.731.6
 5.1%
End of Course Science (Meridian High School)42.554.4
 11.9%
   End of Course Science (Meridian CUSD 15)42.554.4
 11.9%
   End of Course Science (Illinois)36.452.2
 15.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students259304
 17.4%
African American22
American Indian00
Asian11
Hispanic711
 57.1%
Pacific Islander00
White247282
 14.2%
Two or More Races28
 300%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients26.6%33.9%
 7.2%


Schools Near Meridian High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Meridian High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 304 students attended Meridian High School.

Meridian High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Meridian Elementary School
Middle : Meridian Middle School

Meridian High School ranks 268th of 697 Illinois high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Meridian High School are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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