Needs Improvement
#3585 of 3,813 schools in IL
Dirksen Junior High School
Middle School · Joliet PSD 86
203 S Midland Ave, Joliet, IL 60436
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,585 of 3,813
In Joliet
#24 of 31
public schools
In district
#14 of 20
Joliet PSD 86
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Dirksen Junior High School
Middle School in Joliet · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lynne Thigpen Elem School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Paul the Apostle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dirksen Junior High School
Dirksen Junior High School is a public middle school in Joliet, IL, part of Joliet PSD 86. Dirksen Junior High School serves approximately 655 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Dirksen Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,585 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Dirksen Junior High School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.1
- IL avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at Dirksen Junior High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dirksen Junior High School — Students at Dirksen Junior High School score 6% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 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: 1.5/10.
How Dirksen Junior High School Compares
See how Dirksen Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
203 S Midland Ave, Joliet, IL 60436
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dirksen Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Marycrest Early Childhood Center (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Joliet West High School (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Joliet, see our Joliet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet | 0.1 mi | 4.1 |
| ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Joliet | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| UCP-CDS-MELVIN J LARSON SCHOOL Joliet | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Pershing Elem School Joliet | 0.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Rockdale Elem School Rockdale | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Joliet West High School Joliet | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Farragut Elem School Joliet | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Joliet | 1.4 mi | — |
| Marycrest Early Childhood Center Joliet | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| CATHEDRAL OF ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Joliet | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Taft Elementary School Joliet | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Hufford Junior High School Joliet | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY Joliet | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Joliet | 1.7 mi | — |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Joliet | 1.9 mi | 3.0 |
| M J Cunningham Elem Sch Joliet | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elem School Joliet | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ST MARY NATIVITY SCHOOL Joliet | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| VILASECA JOSEPHINE CENTER Joliet | 2.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,570
Median Home Value
$170,800
Median Rent
$1,242/mo
Population
19,446
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Median Age
34.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beach Park Middle School Beach Park, IL | 3.8 |
| Murphysboro Middle School Murphysboro, IL | 3.8 |
| Wilson Intermediate School Pekin, IL | 3.8 |
| Abraham Lincoln Middle School Rockford, IL | 3.7 |
| Ellis Middle School Elgin, IL | 3.7 |
| Urbana Middle School Urbana, IL | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dirksen Junior High School
What grades does Dirksen Junior High School serve?
Dirksen Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dirksen Junior High School?
Dirksen Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 655 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dirksen Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dirksen Junior High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dirksen Junior High School rank in IL?
Dirksen Junior High School ranks #3,585 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Dirksen Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dirksen Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dirksen Junior High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dirksen Junior High School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Dirksen Junior High School a charter school?
No, Dirksen Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dirksen Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Dirksen Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dirksen Junior High School?
97.4% of students at Dirksen Junior 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 655
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Will County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.5%
- Phone
- (815) 729-1566
Resources & Links
District
Joliet PSD 86- District Enrollment
- 9,449
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,414
- District Rank
- #14 of 20
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