Brighton’s public schools outscore 57% of Illinois districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Brighton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state reading tests, 34% of Brighton’s students scored proficient, above the Illinois average (30%). 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.
Brighton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1451 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Brighton’s, its schools beat 62%, higher than their 57% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 34% and math 22% in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,659 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Shipman Elem School, then Southwestern Middle School, then Southwestern High School. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Brighton’s grade
B: better than 57% of Illinois school districts. Test scores are above the Illinois average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Brighton, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Brighton
Brighton North Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 293 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Brighton
Brighton North Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 293 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Brighton
Brighton North Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 293 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Brighton
Brighton North Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 293 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Brighton
Shipman Elem School
Grades 3–4 · 155 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Shipman
4th grade in Brighton
Shipman Elem School
Grades 3–4 · 155 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Shipman
5th grade in Brighton
Medora Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 160 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Medora
6th grade in Brighton
Medora Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 160 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Medora
7th grade in Brighton
Southwestern Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 171 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Piasa
8th grade in Brighton
Southwestern Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 171 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Piasa
9th grade in Brighton
Southwestern High School
Grades 9–12 · 370 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Piasa
10th grade in Brighton
Southwestern High School
Grades 9–12 · 370 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Piasa
Brighton’s public schools are run by Southwestern Community Unit School District 9, which also serves Brighton, Chesterfield, Fidelity and Fidelity and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Brighton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Brighton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton | B | Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 |
Every school in Brighton
4 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 Brighton’s schools
Are Brighton’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Illinois: the public schools Brighton children attend outscore 57% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 62%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Brighton in?
Southwestern Community Unit School District 9, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,149 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Brighton kids go to high school?
Southwestern High School in Piasa, with 370 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Brighton’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Brighton spend per student?
$16,659 in Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Brighton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Brighton → 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.