Average
#2499 of 3,813 schools in IL
Challand Middle School
Middle School · Sterling CUSD 5
1700 6th Ave, Sterling, IL 61081
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sterling
#2 of 6
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#475 of 684
In district
#2 of 6
Sterling CUSD 5
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Challand Middle School
Challand Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Sterling, Illinois, within Whiteside County. With an enrollment of 718 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse group of young learners. The faculty comprises 45 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to guiding students through their formative middle school years.
Challand Middle School covers grades 6 through 8, providing a solid foundation for high school preparation. Although the MySchoolScout rating and state ranking place it in the lower half of Illinois schools, Challand is focused on student development and academic growth. The school’s average proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (22%) and Math (16%) highlight areas where improvement is needed.
Challand Middle School is situated in a town setting, offering students access to local amenities while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Challand Middle School — Students at Challand Middle School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Challand Middle School Compares
See how Challand Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
1700 6th Ave, Sterling, IL 61081
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challand Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Merrill Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Rock Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montmorency CCSD #145 (rated 8.0/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Rock Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS (rated 8.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Milledgeville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling High School Sterling | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Jefferson Elem School Sterling | 0.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincoln Elem School Sterling | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Franklin Elem School Sterling | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sterling | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Washington Elem School Sterling | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sterling | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Merrill Elem School Rock Falls | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Rock Falls Township High School Rock Falls | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| ST ANDREW CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rock Falls | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| East Coloma - Nelson Elem Sch Rock Falls | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Rock Falls Middle School Rock Falls | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Dillon Elementary School Rock Falls | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Riverdale PreSchool Center Rock Falls | 3.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Montmorency CCSD #145 Rock Falls | 5.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville | 12.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville | 12.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dixon | 10.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Tampico Elem School Tampico | 13.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Dixon High School Dixon | 10.7 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61081 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,854
Median Home Value
$121,000
Median Rent
$791/mo
Population
20,916
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
70.5%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challand Middle School has a median household income of $60,854. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,000, with a median rent of $791/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Benton Grade Sch 5-8 Benton, IL | 5.7 |
| Collinsville Middle School Collinsville, IL | 5.7 |
| Ingersoll Middle School Canton, IL | 5.7 |
| Jefferson Middle School Aurora, IL | 5.7 |
| Kaneland Harter Middle School Sugar Grove, IL | 5.7 |
| Liberty Middle School Edwardsville, IL | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challand Middle School
What grades does Challand Middle School serve?
Challand Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Challand Middle School?
Challand Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challand Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Challand Middle School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challand Middle School rank in IL?
Challand Middle School is ranked #2499 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Challand Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challand Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Challand Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challand Middle School has 16.0% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Challand Middle School a charter school?
No, Challand Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Challand Middle School a Title I school?
No, Challand Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challand Middle School?
58.9% of students at Challand 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
- City Safety
- High (1,660/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sterling). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Whiteside County
- Phone
- (815) 626-3300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sterling CUSD 5- District Enrollment
- 3,228
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,348
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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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