At a glance
Reported students
807
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
61.99
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
13:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois middle enrollment
88th percentile
Compared with 703 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
393.5
Henry W Cowherd Middle School: 807 reported students.
State peer staffing position
57th percentile
13:1 reported; state peer median 12.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 893
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14:1
What the reported data says about Henry W Cowherd Middle School
Henry W Cowherd Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Aurora. It is one of 20 current school records connected to Aurora East USD 131. NCES reports 807 students for 2024–25.
Among 703 middle schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 413 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 88th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 13:1, close to the Illinois median of 12.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (83.1%) and Black (12.9%). English learners represent 44.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Henry W Cowherd Middle School
- 1How do the reported 13:1 student–teacher ratio and 61.99 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 44.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 67%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.5
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White2%
- Hispanic83.1%
- Black12.9%
- Asian0.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial1.4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Aurora East USD 131
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
C F Simmons Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
792 reported students
K D Waldo Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
729 reported students
Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad
Middle · Grades 06–08
284 reported students
Olney C Allen Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
712 reported students
C M Bardwell Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
679 reported students
Nicholas A Hermes Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
607 reported students
Public schools near Henry W Cowherd Middle School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| C F Simmons Middle School Middle · Aurora East USD 131 | 06–08 | 792 | 1.1 mi |
| Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad Middle · Aurora East USD 131 | 06–08 | 284 | 1.3 mi |
| K D Waldo Middle School Middle · Aurora East USD 131 | 06–08 | 729 | 1.6 mi |
| Francis Granger Middle School Middle · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | 06–08 | 1,011 | 1.9 mi |
| Fischer Middle School Middle · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | 06–08 | 861 | 2.5 mi |
| Still Middle School Middle · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | 06–08 | 709 | 3.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Henry W Cowherd Middle School
What grades does Henry W Cowherd Middle School serve?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Aurora East USD 131.
How many students attend Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School reported 807 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 88th percentile among 703 Illinois middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 893 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 13:1, based on 807 students and 61.99 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Illinois median for the same school level is 12.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Henry W Cowherd Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Aurora East USD 131 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Henry W Cowherd Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
67% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Henry W Cowherd Middle School in?
Henry W Cowherd Middle School is part of Aurora East USD 131, based in Aurora, IL, which operates 20 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Henry W Cowherd Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include C F Simmons Middle School (1.1 mi), Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad (1.3 mi), K D Waldo Middle School (1.6 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.