Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#3654 of 3,813 schools in IL

A-c Central Middle School

Middle School · A-C Central CUSD 262

601 W Buchanan St, Ashland, IL 62612

Enrollment

91

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

3.5

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,654 of 3,813

In Ashland

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

A-C Central CUSD 262

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around A-c Central Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

A-c Central Middle School

3.5/10

Middle School in Ashland · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

A-c Central High School

5.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pleasant Plains High School

6.9/10

5.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About A-c Central Middle School

A-c Central Middle School is a public middle school in Ashland, IL, part of A-C Central CUSD 262. A-c Central Middle School serves approximately 91 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. A-c Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,654 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for A-c Central Middle School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.6 pts below IL schools
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 91 students, A-c Central Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

A-c Central Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-7.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,765
Chronic Absenteeism16.5%

A-c Central Middle School — Students at A-c Central Middle School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
17%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.5/10.

How A-c Central Middle School Compares

See how A-c Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in IL
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

Location

601 W Buchanan St, Ashland, IL 62612

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering A-c Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. New Berlin Jr High School (rated 4.6/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby New Berlin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pleasant Plains Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Plains), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ashland, see our Ashland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
A-C Central High School Ashland 0.0 mi 5.1
Pleasant Plains High School Pleasant Plains 5.1 mi 6.9
New Berlin Elementary School New Berlin 12.4 mi 5.3
Porta High School Petersburg 11.5 mi 5.3
New Berlin Jr High School New Berlin 12.6 mi 4.6
New Berlin High School New Berlin 12.6 mi 7.4
Petersburg Elem School Petersburg 11.6 mi 5.7
Porta Central Petersburg 11.7 mi 4.9
A-C Central Elementary School Chandlerville 12.9 mi 6.9
Pleasant Plains Middle School Pleasant Plains 11.5 mi 4.0
Virginia Jr/ Sr High School Virginia 11.5 mi 7.8
Virginia Elem School Virginia 11.5 mi 7.1
Farmingdale Elem School Pleasant Plains 11.6 mi 5.4
North Jacksonville School Jacksonville 14.7 mi 6.2
ROUTT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville 15.7 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elem School Jacksonville 15.6 mi 6.1
Jacksonville High School Jacksonville 15.6 mi 5.8
SALEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Jacksonville 15.9 mi
Franklin Jr/Sr High School Franklin 18.7 mi 5.9
Franklin Elementary School Franklin 18.7 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,833

Median Home Value

$113,300

Median Rent

$590/mo

Population

1,490

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

83%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.9%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Edinburg Jr High School Edinburg, IL 3.5
Cissna Park Jr High School Cissna Park, IL 3.4
Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch Bushnell, IL 3.7
Valmeyer Jr High Valmeyer, IL 3.8
Hardin County Jr High School Elizabethtown, IL 3.1
Egyptian Jr High School Tamms, IL 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about A-c Central Middle School

What grades does A-c Central Middle School serve?

A-c Central Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend A-c Central Middle School?

A-c Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 91 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at A-c Central Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at A-c Central Middle School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does A-c Central Middle School rank in IL?

A-c Central Middle School ranks #3,654 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is A-c Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

A-c Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at A-c Central Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, A-c Central Middle School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is A-c Central Middle School a charter school?

No, A-c Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is A-c Central Middle School a Title I school?

No, A-c Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for A-c Central Middle School?

47.3% of students at A-c Central Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
91
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

District

A-C Central CUSD 262
District Enrollment
328
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,765
District Rank
#3 of 3

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.