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
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gcms Middle School — Students at Gcms Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Gcms Middle School Compares
See how Gcms Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (217) 784-8731
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5- District Enrollment
- 983
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,098
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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