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Excellent

#173 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 5% in state

Coal City Middle School

Middle School · Coal City CUSD 1

500 S Carbon Hill Rd, Coal City, IL 60416

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

8.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Coal City

#1 of 5

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#25 of 684

In district

#1 of 5

Coal City CUSD 1

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Coal City Middle School

Coal City Middle School serves 491 students in grades six through eight in Coal City, Illinois. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — anchored by an academic score of 9.8 and a growth score of 9.5. Those two figures together signal both sustained high achievement and measurable year-over-year improvement among students.

The state rankings put that performance in sharp relief. Coal City Middle places 12th out of 684 middle schools in Illinois, and across all public school types and grade levels it outperforms 98 percent of the state — 86th among 3,813 schools statewide. It also holds the top spot among all five schools in Coal City.

A student-teacher ratio of 13.6 to 1 gives teachers more direct contact time per student than the state average, a structural factor that likely supports both the academic and growth outcomes. For families weighing middle school options in the area, the data points in one direction: Coal City Middle consistently performs at an elite level by any statewide benchmark.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+25.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,213

Coal City Middle School — Students at Coal City Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
46%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
55%
2022
ELA
67%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Coal City Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
96th percentile in IL
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

500 S Carbon Hill Rd, Coal City, IL 60416

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Coal City Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Wilmington Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a comparable rating. Another option is Reed-Custer Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Braidwood), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Middle Sch (rated 6.0/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Mazon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Coal City, see our Coal City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Coal City Early Childhood Center Coal City 0.3 mi 4.8
Coal City High School Coal City 0.5 mi 5.7
Coal City Elem School Coal City 1.2 mi 6.2
Coal City Intermediate School Coal City 1.2 mi 8.1
Braceville Elem School Braceville 4.2 mi 2.9
Reed-Custer Elementary School Braidwood 4.2 mi 7.6
Gardner Elem School Gardner 5.9 mi 6.1
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S Gardner 6.4 mi 7.4
Reed-Custer High School Braidwood 5.2 mi 6.1
Reed-Custer Middle School Braidwood 5.2 mi 6.3
South Wilmington Grade School South Wilmington 7.3 mi 4.7
Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elem School Mazon 7.1 mi 4.1
Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Middle Sch Mazon 7.2 mi 6.0
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Morris 8.3 mi 6.9
Aux Sable Minooka 10.5 mi 7.1
Morris Community High School Morris 9.0 mi 4.2
Bruning Elem School Wilmington 8.3 mi 4.4
Shabbona Middle School Morris 9.3 mi 5.4
L J Stevens Intermediate School Wilmington 8.6 mi 7.3
Wilmington Middle School Wilmington 8.6 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60416 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,865

Median Home Value

$222,900

Median Rent

$1,074/mo

Population

9,277

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Coal City Middle School has a median household income of $71,865. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,900, with a median rent of $1,074/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Harrisburg Middle School Harrisburg, IL 8.6
Bureau Valley Elem and JH Manlius, IL 8.5
Eisenhower Jr High School Darien, IL 8.5
Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines, IL 8.5
Hawthorn Middle School South Vernon Hills, IL 8.5
Holmes Jr High School Mount Prospect, IL 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Coal City Middle School

What grades does Coal City Middle School serve?

Coal City Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Coal City Middle School?

Coal City Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Coal City Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Coal City Middle School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Coal City Middle School rank in IL?

Coal City Middle School is ranked #173 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Coal City Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Coal City Middle School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Coal City Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Coal City Middle School has 48.0% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Coal City Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Coal City Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

34.6% of students at Coal City 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

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (464/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Coal City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Grundy County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Coal City CUSD 1
District Enrollment
2,134
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,447
District Rank
#1 of 5

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

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