Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 operates 2 schools (grades PK–08). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,100/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
About Zion-Benton Township High School District 126
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 is the public school district assigned to zip code 60096 in Zion-Benton Township, Illinois. Serving students from Pre-K – 8th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 60096. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $17,100 per year, placing it near the Illinois state average of approximately $17,000 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 2 schools, Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 operates as a small, community-focused district serving students from Pre-K – 8th. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 2/10, placing it in the low-rated tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Illinois is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Illinois on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 60096
Children in zip code 60096 are assigned to Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 60096, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 at (847)731-3085 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Illinois districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Zion-Benton Township
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 serves zip code 60096, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 60096. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Illinois, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 60096.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 60096 data.