Excellent
#187 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 5% in state
Aplington Middle School
Middle School · Polo CUSD 222
610 E Mason St, Polo, IL 61064
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Polo
#1 of 3
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#29 of 684
In district
#1 of 3
Polo CUSD 222
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Aplington Middle School
Aplington Middle School is a public middle school in Polo, IL, part of the Polo CUSD 222. The school serves approximately 105 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95.1th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 25% proficiency in math and 54% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $71,296, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 105 students, Aplington 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.
Located in a rural area, Aplington 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
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Aplington Middle School — Students at Aplington Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
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: 9.4/10.
How Aplington Middle School Compares
See how Aplington Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
610 E Mason St, Polo, IL 61064
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Aplington Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Reagan Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Dixon), a more accessible option. Additionally, Challand Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Sterling), a more accessible option. For more schools in Polo, see our Polo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Comm High School Polo | 0.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Centennial Elem School Polo | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Forreston Grade School Forreston | 9.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston | 9.7 mi | 4.8 |
| ST ANNE SCHOOL Dixon | 9.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dixon | 10.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Dixon High School Dixon | 10.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Washington Elem School Dixon | 10.3 mi | 4.4 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY AND JR. HIGH Dixon | 11.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Reagan Middle School Dixon | 11.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Madison School Dixon | 11.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville | 10.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville | 10.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Franklin Elem School Sterling | 13.3 mi | 4.7 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sterling | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Jefferson Elem School Sterling | 14.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Challand Middle School Sterling | 14.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincoln Elem School Sterling | 14.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Sterling High School Sterling | 14.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Oregon Elem Sch Oregon | 11.8 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,296
Median Home Value
$160,700
Median Rent
$799/mo
Population
3,891
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
67.9%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.2%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Aplington Middle School has a median household income of $71,296. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,700, with a median rent of $799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alden-Hebron Middle School Hebron, IL | 8.4 |
| Elverado Junior High School Vergennes, IL | 8.4 |
| Washington Junior High Riverdale, IL | 8.4 |
| East Dubuque Jr High East Dubuque, IL | 8.9 |
| New Athens Jr High New Athens, IL | 8.1 |
| Roosevelt Junior High School Dolton, IL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Aplington Middle School
What grades does Aplington Middle School serve?
Aplington Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Aplington Middle School?
Aplington Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 105 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Aplington Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Aplington Middle School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Aplington Middle School rank in IL?
Aplington Middle School is ranked #187 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Aplington Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Aplington Middle School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Aplington Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Aplington Middle School has 24.5% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Aplington Middle School a charter school?
No, Aplington Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Aplington Middle School a Title I school?
No, Aplington Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Aplington Middle School?
52.4% of students at Aplington 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Polo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 105
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ogle County
- Phone
- (815) 946-2519
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Polo CUSD 222- District Enrollment
- 591
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,818
- District Rank
- #1 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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