Average
#2039 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
6.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
91
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ashland
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#385 of 684
In district
#2 of 3
A-C Central CUSD 262
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About A-c Central Middle School
A-C Central Middle School is a regular public middle school in Ashland, Illinois, located in Cass County. Situated at 601 W Buchanan St, the school serves students from fifth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 91 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, ensuring personalized attention for each student. With seven full-time equivalent teachers, A-C Central Middle School focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.
The academic performance at A-C Central Middle School shows room for growth, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and its state ranking of #2746 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (28th percentile). In ELA/reading proficiency, 17% of students are rated proficient or above, while only 5% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores suggest the school is working to enhance student development and academic achievement.
The setting around A-C Central Middle School is rural, providing a peaceful environment for learning and community interaction.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 91 students, A-c Central Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at A-c Central Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, A-c Central Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.6/10.
How A-c Central Middle School Compares
See how A-c Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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. Pleasant Plains Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Plains), a more accessible option. Additionally, New Berlin Jr High School (rated 4.5/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby New Berlin), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.3 |
| Pleasant Plains High School Pleasant Plains | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| New Berlin Elementary School New Berlin | 12.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Porta High School Petersburg | 11.5 mi | 4.7 |
| New Berlin Jr High School New Berlin | 12.6 mi | 4.5 |
| New Berlin High School New Berlin | 12.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Petersburg Elem School Petersburg | 11.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Porta Central Petersburg | 11.7 mi | 4.6 |
| A-C Central Elementary School Chandlerville | 12.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Pleasant Plains Middle School Pleasant Plains | 11.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Virginia Jr/ Sr High School Virginia | 11.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Virginia Elem School Virginia | 11.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Farmingdale Elem School Pleasant Plains | 11.6 mi | 7.5 |
| North Jacksonville School Jacksonville | 14.7 mi | 7.1 |
| ROUTT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville | 15.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincoln Elem School Jacksonville | 15.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Jacksonville High School Jacksonville | 15.6 mi | 6.2 |
| SALEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Jacksonville | 15.9 mi | — |
| Franklin Jr/Sr High School Franklin | 18.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Franklin | 18.7 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding A-c Central Middle School has a median household income of $61,833. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,300, with a median rent of $590/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Egyptian Jr High School Tamms, IL | 6.1 |
| West Prairie Junior High School Colchester, IL | 6.0 |
| Lincolnwood Jr High School Raymond, IL | 6.2 |
| Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax, IL | 5.9 |
| SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 5.9 |
| Washington Elem School Oglesby, IL | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #2039 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is A-c Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
A-c Central Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at A-c Central Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, A-c Central Middle School has 5.0% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (16/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (217) 476-3312
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
A-C Central CUSD 262- District Enrollment
- 328
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,765
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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