Skip to main content

Below Average

#3531 of 3,813 schools in IL

Beardstown Jr/sr High School

High School · Beardstown CUSD 15

500 E 15th St, Beardstown, IL 62618

Enrollment

837

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

4.3

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Beardstown

#2 of 3

public schools

Illinois high schools

#672 of 703

In district

#2 of 3

Beardstown CUSD 15

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Beardstown Jr/sr High School

Beardstown Jr/Sr High School serves students in grades 5 through 12 in this remote Cass County town. With an enrollment of 837 students and 57 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, allowing for meaningful classroom interaction. The school is currently experiencing significant academic challenges.

State assessments show that only 8% of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 4% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These results rank the school in the lower percentile statewide, with meaningful room for academic growth and improvement. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9 out of 10 reflects these performance gaps, and families considering enrollment should understand that the school is focused on developing stronger academic foundations.

Located at 500 E 15th Street in Beardstown, this combined junior and senior high school is the educational hub of a quiet, remote Illinois community. For families in the area, the school represents an important local resource, and parents may want to explore what specific support programs and initiatives the school is implementing to strengthen student learning outcomes.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Beardstown Jr/sr High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,115

Beardstown Jr/sr High School — Students at Beardstown Jr/sr High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
6%
2022
ELA
7%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Beardstown Jr/sr High School Compares

See how Beardstown Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
7th percentile in IL
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

500 E 15th St, Beardstown, IL 62618

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Beardstown Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Virginia Jr/ Sr High School (rated 7.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Virginia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bluffs High School (rated 7.3/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Bluffs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meredosia-Chambersburg High Sch (rated 6.3/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Meredosia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Beardstown, see our Beardstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Gard Elementary School Beardstown 0.1 mi 4.1
BEARDSTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beardstown 0.5 mi 6.3
Grand Ave Sch Beardstown 0.7 mi 4.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arenzville 9.4 mi 4.8
Washington Elem School Rushville 10.5 mi 5.6
Triopia Grade School Concord 11.8 mi 7.2
Triopia Jr-Sr High School Concord 11.9 mi 6.1
Webster Elem School Rushville 11.0 mi 7.0
Rushville-Industry High School Rushville 11.2 mi 5.6
Schuyler Industry Middle School Rushville 11.2 mi 5.0
Virginia Jr/ Sr High School Virginia 11.6 mi 7.7
Virginia Elem School Virginia 11.6 mi 7.8
Meredosia-Chambersburg High Sch Meredosia 14.0 mi 6.3
Meredosia-Chambersburg Jr High Meredosia 14.0 mi 7.7
Meredosia-Chambersburg Elem Sch Meredosia 14.0 mi 7.2
Astoria High School Astoria 15.8 mi 4.6
Astoria Elem School Astoria 15.8 mi 8.1
Astoria Junior High School Astoria 15.8 mi 7.2
A-C Central Elementary School Chandlerville 14.7 mi 9.0
Bluffs High School Bluffs 18.5 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62618 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,694

Median Home Value

$86,400

Median Rent

$766/mo

Population

7,391

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Beardstown Jr/sr High School has a median household income of $62,694. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $86,400, with a median rent of $766/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Art in Motion Charter School Chicago, IL 4.3
Dixon High School Dixon, IL 4.2
Morris Community High School Morris, IL 4.2
Prairie Central High School Fairbury, IL 4.4
Rochester High School Rochester, IL 4.4
SACRED HEART GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL Springfield, IL 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Beardstown Jr/sr High School

What grades does Beardstown Jr/sr High School serve?

Beardstown Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Beardstown Jr/sr High School?

Beardstown Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 837 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Beardstown Jr/sr High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Beardstown Jr/sr High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Beardstown Jr/sr High School rank in IL?

Beardstown Jr/sr High School is ranked #3531 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Beardstown Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Beardstown Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Beardstown Jr/sr High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Beardstown Jr/sr High School has 4.5% math proficiency and 8.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Beardstown Jr/sr High School a charter school?

No, Beardstown Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Beardstown Jr/sr High School a Title I school?

No, Beardstown Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Beardstown Jr/sr High School?

74.0% of students at Beardstown Jr/sr High 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 – 12th
Enrollment
837
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Beardstown CUSD 15
District Enrollment
1,496
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,096
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

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.