Original Research by School Decision on Barrington High School
Barrington High School is a comprehensive high school serving grades 9 through 12 in the Village of Barrington, a historically preserved mixed-use community northwest of Chicago with a walkable downtown, Metra station, and small-town civic character. The school sits on West Main Street near the village center, within walking or short drive distance of downtown shops, restaurants, parks, and the Barrington Area Library.
The school enrolls about 2,700 students across its four grade levels, distributed fairly evenly among ninth through twelfth grades. The enrollment reflects the village and surrounding area's demographics: the plurality of students identify as white, with substantial populations of Hispanic and Asian students, and smaller numbers of Black students and other groups represented.
State testing data was not available for Barrington High School. Illinois assesses students in grades 3 through 8 in math, English language arts, and science; high school grades are not included in the state assessment system. This is a structural feature of state testing in Illinois rather than a reflection of the school's performance. A parent seeking to understand academic achievement at the high school level would want to inquire directly with the school about course offerings, advanced placement programs, dual-credit pathways, college placement, and any internal or external assessment data the school tracks.
Barrington CUSD 220, the parent district, has undertaken significant recent changes that affect the school environment. Voters approved a substantial referendum in November 2024 to fund safety and security upgrades district-wide, instructional improvements, and a new community auditorium at Barrington High School itself. The district projects the impact on an average household's tax bill, though post-passage analyses suggest the actual cost may be substantially higher than initially estimated—a meaningful consideration for families evaluating the total cost of living in the area. Additionally, beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the district implemented free full-day kindergarten at all elementary schools, removing a prior fee and expanding instructional time for younger students in the pipeline to high school.
Housing values in the Barrington area are substantial. The median home value sits well above both the state and national benchmarks, and monthly rents are correspondingly high. The affordability metrics reflect a costly market: housing costs relative to income are above the national standard, and renters spend a significant share of income on rent. For families considering the Barrington area, the cost of housing is a primary economic reality alongside school-related taxes.
The village itself is undergoing active development. The former PepsiCo Research & Development site at West Main Street, directly across from Barrington High School, is being developed as a gated community of custom homes. Downtown Barrington is seeing infill projects, restaurant openings, and streetscape enhancements. The Metra station and walkable downtown remain anchors of daily life, and the Barrington Park District operates major parks including a 45-acre award-winning park with trails and an accessible treehouse, a recreation center with pool and fitness facilities, and sports fields.
The school's peer environment is composed of families from a relatively affluent, educated, and stable community with strong civic institutions and investment in public amenities. Day-to-day peer culture is shaped by the village's small-town orientation, walkability, historic character, and proximity to both local and Chicago-area opportunities. A parent considering Barrington High School should plan for the housing market's expense, engage with the district directly about academic programming and college preparation, and factor the recent and upcoming referendum commitments into the overall financial picture of the move.
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