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Very Good

#493 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 13% in state

Gcms Middle School

Middle School · Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5

316 E 19th St, Gibson City, IL 60936

Enrollment

214

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gibson City

#1 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#82 of 684

In district

#1 of 3

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Gcms Middle School

GCMS Middle School serves 214 students in grades 6-8 in the rural community of Gibson City, Illinois. This public middle school stands out academically, earning a strong 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #112 out of 3,819 schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile among Illinois schools. The school maintains an impressive 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

Students demonstrate solid academic performance, with 52% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels. The school's academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. GCMS Middle School is located at 316 E 19th St in Gibson City, a close-knit rural community in Ford County.

The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 4,230 residents, with a median household income of $53,750 and median home values around $124,700. About 20% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This rural setting provides students with a small-town environment where they can develop strong relationships with teachers and peers while receiving a quality education.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Gcms Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Gcms 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 Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,934

Gcms Middle School — Students at Gcms Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.3%
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
35%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2022
ELA
52%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Gcms Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
87th percentile in IL
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

316 E 19th St, Gibson City, IL 60936

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gcms Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Paxton-Buckley-Loda Jr High Sch (rated 7.2/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Paxton), with a comparable rating. Another option is Prairie Central Upper Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Forrest), a more accessible option. Additionally, J W Eater Jr High School (rated 6.5/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Rantoul), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gibson City, see our Gibson City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
GCMS Elementary School Gibson City 0.4 mi 5.6
GCMS High School Gibson City 0.4 mi 6.0
Fisher Jr/Sr High School Fisher 11.8 mi 4.7
Fisher Grade School Fisher 11.9 mi 7.3
HERITAGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Roberts 13.5 mi
Ridgeview Elementary School Colfax 13.9 mi 4.6
Ridgeview High School Colfax 13.9 mi 5.4
Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax 13.9 mi 5.9
Ludlow Elementary School Ludlow 14.5 mi 3.8
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Jr High Sch Paxton 13.9 mi 7.2
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School Paxton 13.9 mi 7.9
Broadmeadow Elem School Rantoul 16.1 mi 7.2
Prairie Central Upper Elementary Forrest 18.9 mi 6.7
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Rantoul 16.3 mi 7.2
Northview Elem School Rantoul 16.4 mi 6.4
J W Eater Jr High School Rantoul 16.7 mi 6.5
Prairie Central Jr High School Forrest 19.2 mi 6.5
Prairie Central Primary East Chatsworth 19.0 mi 6.7
Rantoul Twp High School Rantoul 16.6 mi 5.9
Mahomet-Seymour High School Mahomet 19.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60936 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,952

Median Home Value

$151,000

Median Rent

$802/mo

Population

4,260

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gcms Middle School has a median household income of $51,952. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,000, with a median rent of $802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Litchfield Middle School Litchfield, IL 7.8
Marshall Jr High School Marshall, IL 7.8
Schrum Memorial School Calumet City, IL 7.8
Western Jr High School Kinderhook, IL 7.8
Winnebago Middle School Winnebago, IL 7.8
Medora Intermediate School Medora, IL 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gcms Middle School

What grades does Gcms Middle School serve?

Gcms Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Gcms Middle School?

Gcms Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 214 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Gcms Middle School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gcms Middle School rank in IL?

Gcms Middle School is ranked #493 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Gcms Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gcms Middle School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Gcms Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gcms Middle School has 31.0% math proficiency and 51.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gcms Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Gcms Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

43.5% of students at Gcms 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (231/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5
District Enrollment
983
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,098
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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