US News releases new public high school rankings. Here's how 24 Rockford area schools did

U.S. News and World Report has named Hononegah High School in Rockton the best public high school in the Rockford area in 2024 and the 59th best of 673 ranked schools in Illinois.

The new U.S. News and World Report 2024 Best High Schools Rankings were released April 23, which ranked nearly 17,660 out of more than 24,000 public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Most of the top spots for public high schools in Illinois went to Chicago and suburban schools.

Only four downstate schools, including Hononegah, cracked the top 60. Others included University High School in Normal, Illinois at 18, followed by Dunlap High School in Peoria County at 49 and Downs High School in McLean County at 52.

What does U.S. News use to rank schools?

U.S. News uses a number of measurements to access a school's academic performance. Those include college readiness, proficiency on state exams, performance on state exams, underserved student performance, college curriculum and graduation rates.

Where does Hononegah High School rank nationally?

At 59th, Hononegah is in the top 9% of schools in Illinois. Hononegah is ranked at 1,370 nationally, which places the school in the top 8% in the country.

Hononegah's graduation rate is 88%. The school scored best in the areas of state test proficiency and state test performance.

More: New rankings: Report names best public high schools across Rockford, Freeport areas

Where did other Rockford area public high schools rank in Illinois?

88. Pecatonica High School, 2,583 in the nation with an 85% graduation rate.

158. Byron High School, no. 4,361 in the nation with a 96% graduation rate

185. Stillman Valley High School, no. 5,304 in the nation with an 89% graduation rate.

211. Dakota Junior Senior High School, no. 6,133 in the nation with a 93% graduation rate

222. Harlem High School, 6,464 in the nation with an 81% graduation rate.

252. Forreston Jr/Sr High School, 7,341 in the nation with a 93% graduation rate.

290. Durand High School, 8,108 in the nation with an 80% graduation rate.

291. Belvidere North High School, No. 8,123 in the nation with an 80% graduation rate.

293. Lena-Winslow High School, no. 8,167 in the nation with an 87% graduation rate.

345. Auburn High School, no. 10,242 in the nation with a 60% graduation rate.

247. Oregon High School, no. 10,264 in the nation with a 98% graduation rate.

350. South Beloit High School, no. 10,369 in the nation with an 85% graduation rate.

354. Rochelle Township High School, no. 10,440 in the nation with an 85% graduation rate.

366. Polo Community High School, no 10,939 in the nation with an 87% graduation rate

392. Belvidere High School, no. 11,591 in the nation with an 80% graduation rate.

394. Pearl City High School, no. 11,663 in the nation with an 83% graduation rate.

403. Winnebago High School, no. 11,830 in the nation with a 91% graduation rate.

437. Guilford High School, no. 12,465 in the nation with a 72% graduation rate.

What about the other Rockford area public high schools?

The following area schools ranked between 477th and 673rd in Illinois: Freeport High School, Jefferson High School, Rockford East High School, North Boone High School and Orangeville High School

Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and X @chrisfgreen.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: US News: Best public high schools in Rockford, Freeport areas