Skip to main content

Average

#2052 of 3,813 schools in IL

Bloomington JR High School

Middle School · Bloomington SD 87

901 Colton Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701

Enrollment

997

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bloomington

#6 of 16

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#388 of 684

In district

#3 of 9

Bloomington SD 87

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Bloomington JR High School

Bloomington Jr High School serves 997 students in grades 6-8 in Bloomington, Illinois, offering a substantial middle school experience with an 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio and 84 full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public school in McLean County, providing education during these crucial transitional years. Academically, Bloomington Jr High has room for growth, with 12% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and reading across all grades.

The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 34th percentile among Illinois middle schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support for its student body. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $54,799 and 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of 18.6% in the surrounding area, the school serves families from varied economic backgrounds, reflecting the broader demographic makeup of this small Illinois city.

Located at 901 Colton Avenue, Bloomington Jr High School sits in a small city setting that provides students with both community connections and access to resources typical of an established Midwestern community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bloomington JR 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,667

Bloomington JR High School — Students at Bloomington JR High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
16%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
19%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Bloomington JR High School Compares

See how Bloomington JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in IL
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers

Location

901 Colton Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bloomington JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chiddix Jr High School (rated 5.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Normal), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kingsley Jr High School (rated 4.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Normal), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bloomington, see our Bloomington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Bloomington High School Bloomington 0.1 mi 6.5
Washington Elem School Bloomington 0.5 mi 4.4
Oakland Elementary School Bloomington 1.0 mi 3.8
Colene Hoose Elem School Normal 1.2 mi 7.0
Glenn Elem School Normal 1.1 mi 5.0
Bent Elem School Bloomington 1.1 mi 4.3
Chiddix Jr High School Normal 1.5 mi 5.8
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bloomington 1.6 mi 4.6
EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal 1.7 mi 6.8
ST MARYS SCHOOL Bloomington 1.5 mi 8.6
Irving Elementary School Bloomington 1.5 mi 5.9
Thomas Metcalf School Normal 1.8 mi 6.8
Kingsley Jr High School Normal 1.8 mi 4.5
HIGH ROAD SCHOOL OF BLOOMINGTON Bloomington 2.0 mi 6.7
Sugar Creek Elem School Normal 2.0 mi 6.4
Oakdale Elem School Normal 1.9 mi 7.3
Stevenson Elem School Bloomington 1.7 mi 7.1
BLOOM COMMUNITY SCHOOL Normal 2.3 mi 4.9
MULBERRY SCHOOL Normal 2.3 mi
Sheridan Elem School Bloomington 1.8 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,882

Median Home Value

$138,600

Median Rent

$873/mo

Population

35,577

College Educated

36.7%

Homeownership

56.6%

Avg Commute

16.3 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bloomington JR High School has a median household income of $55,882. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,600, with a median rent of $873/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Glenside Middle School Glendale Heights, IL 6.1
Henry W Cowherd Middle School Aurora, IL 6.1
Hufford Junior High School Joliet, IL 6.1
John Deere Middle School Moline, IL 6.1
Prairie-Hills Junior High School Markham, IL 6.1
Urbana Middle School Urbana, IL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bloomington JR High School

What grades does Bloomington JR High School serve?

Bloomington JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bloomington JR High School?

Bloomington JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 997 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bloomington JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bloomington JR High School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bloomington JR High School rank in IL?

Bloomington JR High School is ranked #2052 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Bloomington JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bloomington JR High 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 Bloomington JR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bloomington JR High School has 14.0% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bloomington JR High School a charter school?

No, Bloomington JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bloomington JR High School a Title I school?

No, Bloomington JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bloomington JR High School?

66.8% of students at Bloomington JR 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

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (68/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
997
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
McLean County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bloomington SD 87
District Enrollment
4,733
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,431
District Rank
#3 of 9

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.