Plainfield High School - Central Campus, or PHS-CC, is a four-year public high school in Plainfield, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.
Serving 1,898 students in grades 9-12, Plainfield High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 25% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 29% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,898 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 20% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 25% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 29% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 58% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Plainfield High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Plainfield High School's student population of 1,898 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 114 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,898 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
114 teachers
Year Founded
1959
Colors
White, Forest Green
School Rankings
Plainfield High School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Plainfield High School is 0.65, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1378 out of 3426 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)25%
28%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
50%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
4%
6%
Hispanic
30%
28%
Black
11%
16%
White
50%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
93%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
24%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wild Cat
- Plainfield Central High School, or PCHS, is a public four-year high school located in Plainfield, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, which also includes Plainfield South High School, and Plainfield North High School.
- History: The original building was completely destroyed by one of the worst tornadoes in Illinois history. The Plainfield Tornado struck the town on August 28, 1990, one day before classes were scheduled to begin. Three faculty and staff members lost their lives, but had school been in session, casualties would have been more significant as the tornado hit the school directly.
- In the middle of the 1992-3 school year students moved into the new PHS building. At the time, it was one of the most technically advanced high schools in the state of Illinois, complete with its own observatory. In 1998, the school added a "freshman center" with its own gymnasium and cafeteria. The new freshman center has three floors and is connected to the main building by an enclosed catwalk. In 2005, the school constructed a new fan-friendly snack building, complete with restrooms, on the south end of the school's football/track stadium.
- Athletics: Plainfield Central competes in the Southwest Prairie Conference and Illinois High School Association. Its mascot is the Wildcats.
- School sports teams include boy's and girl's golf, boys' and girls' bowling, boy's hockey, boy's wrestling, boy's football, girl's and boy's basketball, girl's and boy's swimming, girl's badminton, girl's softball, girl's and boy's soccer, girl's and boy's tennis, track, cross-country, rugby, cheerleading, poms and baseball.
- 2007 Sports Highlights: E.J. Luna, won 1st place overall for the Boys' JV Golf at the SPC Golf Tournament held in Morris, IL.
- 2006 Sports Highlights: Girls bowling placed 3rd at the Illinois state tournament held in Rockford, IL.
- Four state qualifiers for the wrestling state championship held at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL. They include Mike Smith (4th), Jeremy Ellingwood (2nd), Ryan Prater (2nd), Alex Macier (Qualifier).
- 2005 Sports Highlights: Chris Unger, a bowler, placed 60th and the Illinois State Tournament held in St. Clair, IL.
- 2004 Sports Highlights: The Boys' Bowling Team placed 8th at the Illinois State Tournament help in St. Clair, IL. The team consisted of Jason Kryst, Chris Unger, Patryk Bec, Charlie Kowalski, Nich Swan, and Dan Strubel. The coaching staff included Head Coach Sally Pagnusat, Assistant Coach David Barney and Volunteer Coach Mary Barney.
- Nick Swan placed second overall.
- Charlie Kowalski placed thirteenth overall.
- 2002 Sports Highlights: The Boys' Football Team, coached by John Jackson, clenched the confrence championship, before losing in the play-offs due to the teacher strike.
- Activities: The school holds a Marching Band during football season and a Concert and Symphonic Band out of season.
- The Symphonic Band took first place out of 30 schools at the 2006 Midwest Music Festival held in Lemont, IL.
- Selected art students took part in the Suburban Prairie Art Conference. Overall, the school came back with a 1st place title.
- Sam T. Jensen currently is the coolest person in the school as of 2007.
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Plainfield High School's ranking?
Plainfield High School is ranked #1378 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Plainfield High School often compared to?
Plainfield High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Joliet West High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Plainfield High School?
The graduation rate of Plainfield High School is 93%, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Plainfield High School?
1,898 students attend Plainfield High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
50% of Plainfield High School students are White, 30% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 4% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Plainfield High School?
Plainfield High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Plainfield High School offer ?
Plainfield High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Plainfield High School part of?
Plainfield High School is part of Plainfield SD 202 School District.
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