Skip to main content

Below Average

#3423 of 3,813 schools in IL

Central Middle School

Middle School · Central CUSD 301

44W303 Plato Rd, Burlington, IL 60109

Enrollment

396

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

4.5

Grades

8th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Burlington

#1 of 2

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#630 of 684

In district

#5 of 7

Central CUSD 301

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Middle School

Central Middle School serves 396 eighth-grade students in Burlington, Illinois, operating as a dedicated grade 8 institution with a focused approach to middle school education. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for relatively personalized attention during this crucial transitional year. Academically, Central Middle School demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #726 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.

The school's academic score of 9.3 out of 10 reflects strong educational outcomes, with 56% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. The school draws from a stable community in the 60109 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $77,656 and the median home value is $279,200. With 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.4%, the area provides a supportive environment for student learning.

Central Middle School is situated in a rural setting near the town of Burlington in Kane County, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to quality educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,069

Central Middle School — Students at Central Middle School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
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
63%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
46%
2022
ELA
56%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Central Middle School Compares

See how Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in IL
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

44W303 Plato Rd, Burlington, IL 60109

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Prairie Knolls Middle Sch (rated 5.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Elgin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hampshire Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Hampshire), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Central High School Burilngton 0.3 mi 7.3
Howard B Thomas Grade School Burlington 0.3 mi 4.0
Lily Lake Grade School Maple Park 4.7 mi 8.1
Cambridge Lakes Charter School Pingree Grove 5.1 mi 5.3
Hampshire Middle School Hampshire 5.8 mi 4.1
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hampshire 6.0 mi 6.7
Country Trails Elem Elgin 5.1 mi 5.0
Hampshire Elem School Hampshire 6.0 mi 3.2
Prairie View Grade School Elgin 5.0 mi 4.0
Big Timber Elementary School Hampshire 7.0 mi 6.6
Gary D Wright Elem Sch Hampshire 7.1 mi 3.7
Hampshire High School Hampshire 7.2 mi 5.8
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Elgin 5.5 mi 5.6
Wasco Elem School Wasco 6.8 mi 5.4
Kaneland John Stewart Elem Sch Elburn 8.3 mi 7.9
Bell-Graham Elementary School Saint Charles 7.5 mi 8.7
Ferson Creek School Saint Charles 7.4 mi 9.3
Corron Elementary School South Elgin 7.1 mi 8.8
Otter Creek Elem School Elgin 7.0 mi 7.9
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elgin 7.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,528

Median Home Value

$304,000

Median Rent

$1,199/mo

Population

520

College Educated

26.2%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Middle School has a median household income of $81,528. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,000, with a median rent of $1,199/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Carterville Jr High Sch Carterville, IL 4.5
Brooks Middle School Harvey, IL 4.4
Carlyle Junior High School Carlyle, IL 4.4
Charleston Middle School Charleston, IL 4.6
Cumberland Middle School Toledo, IL 4.4
Jack Benny Middle School Waukegan, IL 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Middle School

What grades does Central Middle School serve?

Central Middle School serves students in grades 8th through 8th.

How many students attend Central Middle School?

Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Middle School rank in IL?

Central Middle School is ranked #3423 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Central Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Middle School has 51.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Middle School a charter school?

No, Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Middle School a Title I school?

No, Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Middle School?

19.9% of students at 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 (56/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 8th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central CUSD 301
District Enrollment
4,940
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,741
District Rank
#5 of 7

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.