Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Rock Island’s public schools score below 88% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 11% of Rock Island’s students scored proficient, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rock Island, 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.
Rock Island’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 14% of tested students were proficient in reading and 11% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,999 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. 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 Rock Island’s grade
D: better than 12% of Illinois school districts, #713 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 Rock Island, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Rock Island · depends on your address
Washington Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 529 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Edison Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 398 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rock Island · depends on your address
Washington Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 529 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Edison Jr High School
Grades 7–8 · 398 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Rock Island
Rock Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,812 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Rock Island
Rock Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,812 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Rock Island
Rock Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,812 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Rock Island
Rock Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,812 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Rock Island’s public schools are run by Rock Island-Milan School District 41, which also serves Blackhawk, Milan, Oak Grove and Rock Island and others. Parts of Rock Island (12% of its land) are served by Rockridge Community Unit School District 300 instead. 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
Rock Island vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Rock Island’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Island | D | Rock Island-Milan School District 41 |
| Milan | D | Rock Island-Milan School District 41 |
| Moline | C+ | Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 PK–12 · United Township High School District 30 9–12 |
| Moline Township | C+ | Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 |
| South Rock Island | D | Rock Island-Milan School District 41 |
| South Moline | C | Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 PK–12 · East Moline School District 37 PK–8 · United Township High School District 30 9–12 |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Rock Island-Milan School District 41 with Rock Island, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Rock Island
12 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 Rock Island’s schools
Are Rock Island’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rock Island children attend score below 88% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #713 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rock Island in?
Rock Island-Milan School District 41, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,292 students in 13 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rock Island are served by Rockridge Community Unit School District 300.
Where do Rock Island kids go to high school?
Rock Island High School, with 1,812 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Rock Island’s graduation rate?
77% of the class of 2023 in Rock Island-Milan School District 41 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Rock Island spend per student?
$17,999 in Rock Island-Milan School District 41 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Rock Island families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rock Island → 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.