Photo: Stevedrone91 · CC BY-SA 4.0Dixon’s public schools score below 60% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Dixon’s districts is 15%, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dixon, 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.
Dixon’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1248 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dixon’s, its schools beat 52%, higher than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 21% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois (the state reports Dixon’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,626 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 2 the district’s path is Jefferson Elem School, then Reagan Middle School, then Dixon High School. Enrollment is down 6% 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 Dixon’s grade
C+: better than 40% of Illinois school districts, #522 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dixon, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Dixon
Washington Elem School
Grades PK–1 · 424 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Dixon
Washington Elem School
Grades PK–1 · 424 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Dixon
Madison School
Grades 4–5 · 323 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Dixon
Madison School
Grades 4–5 · 323 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dixon
Dixon High School
Grades 9–12 · 760 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dixon
Dixon High School
Grades 9–12 · 760 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dixon
Dixon High School
Grades 9–12 · 760 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dixon
Dixon High School
Grades 9–12 · 760 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Dixon’s public schools are run by Dixon Unit School District 170, which also serves Dixon, Grand Detour, Nachusa and Nelson 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.
Well below the state in reading
Dixon vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Dixon’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dixon | C+ | Dixon Unit School District 170 |
Every school in Dixon
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 Dixon’s schools
Are Dixon’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dixon children attend score below 60% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #522 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dixon in?
Dixon Unit School District 170, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,436 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dixon kids go to high school?
Dixon High School, with 760 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Dixon’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Dixon Unit School District 170 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Dixon spend per student?
$16,626 in Dixon Unit School District 170 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Dixon families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dixon → 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.