Average
#3125 of 3,813 schools in IL
Harold B Dawson Middle School
Middle School · Peoria SD 150
2708 W Rohmann Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois middle schools
#588 of 684
In district
#19 of 25
Peoria SD 150
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Harold B Dawson Middle School
Harold B Dawson Middle School is a public middle school located in West Peoria, Illinois. Situated on Rohmann Avenue, the school serves students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 326 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, Harold B Dawson provides personalized attention to each student.
The dedicated team of 19 full-time equivalent teachers works hard to support their young scholars. Academically, the school has room for improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3529 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. The academic score is also quite low at 1.0 out of 10, with only 6% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 2% proficiency in Math across all grades.
Despite these challenges, the school community remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment for its students. Harold B Dawson Middle School is situated in a large suburban area within Peoria County, providing a safe and familiar setting for young adolescents as they navigate their middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Harold B Dawson Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harold B Dawson Middle School — Students at Harold B Dawson Middle School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 8%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.7%
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: 7.9/10.
How Harold B Dawson Middle School Compares
See how Harold B Dawson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 4% (2019) to 0.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 3% (2022).
Location
2708 W Rohmann Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harold B Dawson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasant Valley Intermediate Sch (rated 6.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Peoria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sterling Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Peoria), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Peoria, see our West Peoria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Manual High School Peoria | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Whittier Primary School Peoria | 0.9 mi | 2.9 |
| The Elise Ford Allen Academy Peoria | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Sterling Middle School Peoria | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Trewyn Primary School Peoria | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| ST MARK SCHOOL Peoria | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Peoria | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Peoria | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| SOUTH SIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Peoria | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Pleasant Hill Elem School Peoria | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Annie Jo Gordon Comm Lrning Cntr Peoria | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Valeska Hinton Early Ch Ed Ctr Peoria | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Pleasant Valley Primary School Peoria | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Franklin Primary School Peoria | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Quest Charter School Academy Peoria | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Pleasant Valley Intermediate Sch Peoria | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Peoria | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Peoria High School Peoria | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Peoria | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,628
Median Home Value
$100,000
Median Rent
$904/mo
Population
27,502
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
17.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harold B Dawson Middle School has a median household income of $50,628. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,000, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Dee-Mack Intermediate School Deer Creek, IL | 5.0 |
| Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad Aurora, IL | 5.0 |
| Parkview Jr High School Lawrenceville, IL | 5.0 |
| Schuyler Industry Middle School Rushville, IL | 5.0 |
| Central Elem Kewanee, IL | 4.9 |
| Central Jr High School Belleville, IL | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harold B Dawson Middle School
What grades does Harold B Dawson Middle School serve?
Harold B Dawson Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Harold B Dawson Middle School?
Harold B Dawson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harold B Dawson Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harold B Dawson Middle School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harold B Dawson Middle School rank in IL?
Harold B Dawson Middle School is ranked #3125 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Harold B Dawson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harold B Dawson Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Harold B Dawson Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harold B Dawson Middle School has 2.3% math proficiency and 6.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harold B Dawson Middle School a charter school?
No, Harold B Dawson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harold B Dawson Middle School a Title I school?
No, Harold B Dawson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harold B Dawson Middle School?
88.7% of students at Harold B Dawson 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
- County Safety
- Average (380/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 326
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Peoria County
- Phone
- (309) 672-6506
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Peoria SD 150- District Enrollment
- 12,713
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,400
- District Rank
- #19 of 25
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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