Average
#1701 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 45% in state
J W Eater JR High School
Middle School · Rantoul City SD 137
400 E Wabash Ave, Rantoul, IL 61866
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rantoul
#4 of 6
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#320 of 684
In district
#4 of 5
Rantoul City SD 137
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About J W Eater JR High School
J W Eater Jr High School is a middle school located in Rantoul, Illinois, on the edge of an urban area. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 515 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 with 47 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its relatively small size, J W Eater Jr High School focuses on providing individualized attention to each student, fostering a supportive learning environment.
The academic performance at the school shows room for improvement, as indicated by a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of 2383 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 38th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, only 6% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 4% are at that level for math. J W Eater Jr High School is situated in a town with easy access to urban amenities and resources, making it an attractive option for families looking for a blend of community support and educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at J W Eater JR High 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
J W Eater JR High School — Students at J W Eater JR High School score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How J W Eater JR High School Compares
See how J W Eater JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 2% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 4% (2022).
Location
400 E Wabash Ave, Rantoul, IL 61866
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J W Eater JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Paxton-Buckley-Loda Jr High Sch (rated 7.2/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Paxton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (rated 5.4/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Urbana), a more accessible option. Additionally, Prairieview-Ogden Jr High Sch (rated 5.0/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Thomasboro), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rantoul, see our Rantoul schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rantoul Twp High School Rantoul | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MALACHY SCHOOL Rantoul | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Northview Elem School Rantoul | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Broadmeadow Elem School Rantoul | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Eastlawn Elem School Rantoul | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Pleasant Acres Elem School Rantoul | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Thomasboro Grade School Thomasboro | 4.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Ludlow Elementary School Ludlow | 5.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Prairieview-Ogden Jr High Sch Thomasboro | 6.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Gifford Grade School Gifford | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Clara Peterson Elem School Paxton | 10.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School Paxton | 11.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Paxton-Buckley-Loda Jr High Sch Paxton | 11.1 mi | 7.2 |
| KINGSWOOD SCHOOL Urbana | 12.2 mi | — |
| CIRCLE ACADEMY Urbana | 12.9 mi | 7.0 |
| THE HIGH SCHOOL OF SAINT THOMAS MORE Champaign | 12.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Washington Elem School Champaign | 13.2 mi | 5.0 |
| M L King Jr Elem School Urbana | 13.3 mi | 6.3 |
| CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Urbana | 13.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Fisher Grade School Fisher | 10.6 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61866 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,389
Median Home Value
$111,900
Median Rent
$892/mo
Population
13,407
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
51.4%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding J W Eater JR High School has a median household income of $51,389. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,900, with a median rent of $892/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Byron Middle School Byron, IL | 6.5 |
| Central Intermediate Sch Washington, IL | 6.5 |
| Geneva Middle Sch North Geneva, IL | 6.5 |
| Hester Jr High School Franklin Park, IL | 6.5 |
| Macomb Middle School Macomb, IL | 6.5 |
| Mokena Jr High School Mokena, IL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J W Eater JR High School
What grades does J W Eater JR High School serve?
J W Eater JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend J W Eater JR High School?
J W Eater JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J W Eater JR High School?
The student-teacher ratio at J W Eater JR High School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J W Eater JR High School rank in IL?
J W Eater JR High School is ranked #1701 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is J W Eater JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
J W Eater JR High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 J W Eater JR High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J W Eater JR High School has 4.5% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J W Eater JR High School a charter school?
No, J W Eater JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J W Eater JR High School a Title I school?
No, J W Eater JR High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J W Eater JR High School?
88.5% of students at J W Eater JR 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,433/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rantoul). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 515
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Champaign County
- Phone
- (217) 893-5401
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rantoul City SD 137- District Enrollment
- 1,690
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,067
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
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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