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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,453

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%).

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 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
7.5%
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: 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.

Overall Score
6.1/10
47th percentile in IL
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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