Average
#2897 of 3,813 schools in IL
Jefferson Elem School
Middle School · Charleston CUSD 1
801 Jefferson Ave, Charleston, IL 61920
Enrollment
663
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.2
Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
663
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.2
Grades
4th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#4 of 5
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#551 of 684
In district
#5 of 6
Charleston CUSD 1
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Jefferson Elem School
Jefferson Elem School, located in Charleston, Illinois, is a middle school serving students in grades four through six. With an enrollment of 663 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student's learning needs. Jefferson Elem School has 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education.
The academic performance at Jefferson Elem School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3012 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (21st percentile). Students' proficiency levels in English Language Arts/Reading are at 21%, while those in Math sit at 10%. The school is focusing on enhancing these scores to better support its students.
Jefferson Elem School stands in a remote setting within Charleston, offering a close-knit community atmosphere. The town's smaller scale means that the school and its families are well-connected, fostering a supportive environment for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Jefferson Elem 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
Jefferson Elem School — Students at Jefferson Elem School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.4%
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: 8.3/10.
How Jefferson Elem School Compares
See how Jefferson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 11% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 15% (2022).
Location
801 Jefferson Ave, Charleston, IL 61920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elem School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mattoon Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Mattoon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charleston Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cumberland Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Toledo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Middle School Charleston | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Mark Twain Elem School Charleston | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Charleston High School Charleston | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Carl Sandburg Elem School Charleston | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| NEW HEIGHTS ACADEMY Charleston | 4.0 mi | — |
| Ashmore Elem School Ashmore | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 9.7 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 9.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary School Mattoon | 10.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Mattoon Middle School Mattoon | 10.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch Mattoon | 10.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Mattoon High School Mattoon | 11.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland | 13.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakland High School Oakland | 13.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Arcola Elementary School Arcola | 14.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Arcola High School Arcola | 14.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Kansas Elem School Kansas | 13.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Kansas High School Kansas | 13.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Riddle Elementary School Mattoon | 12.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Cumberland Middle School Toledo | 16.6 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,229
Median Home Value
$144,700
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
20,703
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
53.3%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
30.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elem School has a median household income of $54,229. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,700, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Carterville Intermediate Sch Carterville, IL | 5.2 |
| Edith M Smith Middle School Waukegan, IL | 5.2 |
| Heritage Middle School Lansing, IL | 5.2 |
| Matthews Middle School Island Lake, IL | 5.2 |
| Orenic Intermediate School Plainfield, IL | 5.2 |
| Abraham Lincoln Middle School Rockford, IL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elem School
What grades does Jefferson Elem School serve?
Jefferson Elem School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elem School?
Jefferson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 663 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elem School rank in IL?
Jefferson Elem School is ranked #2897 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Jefferson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elem School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Jefferson Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elem School has 10.5% math proficiency and 20.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elem School a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elem School a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elem School?
50.4% of students at Jefferson Elem 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 (2,153/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 663
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Coles County
- Phone
- (217) 639-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 2,652
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,841
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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