Below Average
#3368 of 3,813 schools in IL
Charleston Middle School
Middle School · Charleston CUSD 1
920 Smith Dr, Charleston, IL 61920
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#5 of 5
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#620 of 684
In district
#6 of 6
Charleston CUSD 1
About Charleston Middle School
Charleston Middle School is a public middle school located in the small town of Charleston, Illinois. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, it has an enrollment of 395 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's remote setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere, where everyone knows each other.
Charleston Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.9 out of 10, reflecting the school’s academic score of 4.1/10 and its state ranking at #3181 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it in the 17th percentile). In terms of standardized test performance, 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% achieve proficiency or better in Math. The school is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth.
Charleston Middle School sits in a quiet, remote town where community support plays a significant role in the educational experience of its young scholars.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Charleston Middle School — Students at Charleston Middle School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.7%
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: 5.1/10.
How Charleston Middle School Compares
See how Charleston Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 20% (2022).
Location
920 Smith Dr, Charleston, IL 61920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Charleston Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mattoon Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mattoon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson Elem School (rated 5.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cumberland Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Toledo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Twain Elem School Charleston | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Charleston High School Charleston | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Jefferson Elem School Charleston | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Carl Sandburg Elem School Charleston | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| NEW HEIGHTS ACADEMY Charleston | 4.4 mi | — |
| Ashmore Elem School Ashmore | 8.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 10.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary School Mattoon | 10.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Mattoon Middle School Mattoon | 10.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch Mattoon | 10.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Mattoon High School Mattoon | 11.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland | 14.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakland High School Oakland | 14.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Cumberland Middle School Toledo | 16.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Cumberland High School Toledo | 16.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Kansas Elem School Kansas | 12.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Kansas High School Kansas | 12.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Cumberland Elem School Toledo | 16.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Arcola Elementary School Arcola | 15.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,229
Median Home Value
$144,700
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
20,703
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
53.3%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
30.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Charleston Middle School has a median household income of $54,229. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,700, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Prairie Jr High School Alsip, IL | 4.6 |
| River Bend Middle School Fulton, IL | 4.6 |
| Spencer Crossing New Lenox, IL | 4.6 |
| Carterville Jr High Sch Carterville, IL | 4.5 |
| Central Middle School Burlington, IL | 4.5 |
| Bismarck-Henning Jr High School Bismarck, IL | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Charleston Middle School
What grades does Charleston Middle School serve?
Charleston Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Charleston Middle School?
Charleston Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 395 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Charleston Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Charleston Middle School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Charleston Middle School rank in IL?
Charleston Middle School is ranked #3368 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Charleston Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Charleston Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Charleston Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charleston Middle School has 17.0% math proficiency and 22.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Charleston Middle School a charter school?
No, Charleston Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Charleston Middle School a Title I school?
No, Charleston Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charleston Middle School?
54.7% of students at Charleston 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 (2,153/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 395
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Coles County
- Phone
- (217) 639-6000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 2,652
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,841
- District Rank
- #6 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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