Photo: Illinois2011 · CC BY 3.0Alton’s public schools score below 89% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 12% of Alton’s students scored proficient, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Alton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Alton’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 14% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 spends $19,317 per student and Alton Community Unit School District 11 $18,464, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Alton’s grade
D: better than 11% of Illinois school districts, #718 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alton, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Alton
Early Childhood
Grades PK · 267 students · 33:1 students per teacher · in Godfrey
3rd grade in Alton · depends on your address
North Elementary School
Grades 2–5 · 549 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Godfrey
East Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 415 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Elementary School
Grades 2–5 · 407 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Alton · depends on your address
North Elementary School
Grades 2–5 · 549 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Godfrey
East Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 415 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Elementary School
Grades 2–5 · 407 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Alton · depends on your address
North Elementary School
Grades 2–5 · 549 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Godfrey
East Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 415 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Elementary School
Grades 2–5 · 407 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Alton · depends on your address
Alton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,823 students · 18:1 students per teacher
East Alton-Wood River High Sch
Grades 9–12 · 539 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Wood River
10th grade in Alton · depends on your address
Alton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,823 students · 18:1 students per teacher
East Alton-Wood River High Sch
Grades 9–12 · 539 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Wood River
11th grade in Alton · depends on your address
Alton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,823 students · 18:1 students per teacher
East Alton-Wood River High Sch
Grades 9–12 · 539 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Wood River
12th grade in Alton · depends on your address
Alton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,823 students · 18:1 students per teacher
East Alton-Wood River High Sch
Grades 9–12 · 539 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Wood River
Alton runs its own schools through grade 12 (Alton Community Unit School District 11). From grade 9, students attend the East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14, shared with Alton, Chouteau, East Alton, Edwardsville, Granite City, Hartford, Roxana, South Roxana, Wood River and Wood River. Its elementary school is in Godfrey. Parts of Alton (11% of its land) are served by Bethalto Consolidated Unit School District 8 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Alton
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Alton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Alton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Alton | D | Alton Community Unit School District 11 PK–12 · East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 9–12 |
| Alton Township | — | Alton Community Unit School District 11 PK–12 · East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 9–12 |
| Wood River | B | Roxana Community Unit School District 1 PK–12 · Bethalto Consolidated Unit School District 8 PK–12 · East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 9–12 |
| Godfrey | D | Alton Community Unit School District 11 |
| East Alton | B | East Alton School District 13 PK–8 · Bethalto Consolidated Unit School District 8 PK–12 · East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 9–12 |
| Foster | D | Alton Community Unit School District 11 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Alton Community Unit School District 11 with Alton for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades. West Alton, MO borders Alton but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Alton
10 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Alton’s schools
Are Alton’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Alton children attend score below 89% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #718 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Alton in?
Two districts: Alton Community Unit School District 11 runs grades PK–12, and East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 runs grades 9–12, shared with Alton, Chouteau, East Alton, Edwardsville, Granite City, Hartford, Roxana, South Roxana, Wood River and Wood River.
Where do Alton kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Alton High School and East Alton-Wood River High Sch.
What is Alton’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in Alton Community Unit School District 11 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Alton spend per student?
$19,317 in East Alton-Wood River Community High School District 14 and $18,464 in Alton Community Unit School District 11 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Alton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.