Average
#3009 of 3,813 schools in IL
Meridian Elementary School
Elementary School · Meridian CUSD 101
1401 Mounds Rd, Mounds, IL 62964
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mounds
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,789 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 2
Meridian CUSD 101
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Meridian Elementary School
Meridian Elementary School in Mounds, Illinois, is a small rural public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 232 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school benefits from personalized attention with 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each child’s educational journey. While Meridian Elementary currently ranks at #3221 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 16th percentile statewide and receiving a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9/10, the school is focused on student development beyond just academic scores.
With only 7% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 8% in Math across all grades, there is significant room for improvement in these areas. Nestled in the heart of a rural community, Meridian Elementary School provides a close-knit environment where students can thrive with a strong sense of community support.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Meridian Elementary 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
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Meridian Elementary School — Students at Meridian Elementary School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
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
↓ 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: 4.5/10.
How Meridian Elementary School Compares
See how Meridian Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
1401 Mounds Rd, Mounds, IL 62964
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meridian Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cairo Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Cairo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ballard County Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Barlow), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dongola Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Dongola), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mounds, see our Mounds schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian High School Mounds | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo | 7.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Cairo Elementary School Cairo | 8.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Century Jr/Sr High School Ullin | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Century Elementary School Ullin | 10.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Egyptian Jr High School Tamms | 10.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Egyptian Elem School Tamms | 10.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Egyptian Sr High School Tamms | 10.9 mi | 7.9 |
| OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch | 10.4 mi | — |
| Ballard Co. Preschool/Headstart Center Barlow | 10.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Ballard County Elementary School Barlow | 10.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Ballard Memorial High School Barlow | 10.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Ballard County Middle School Barlow | 10.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Dongola High School Dongola | 16.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Dongola Elementary School Dongola | 16.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Dongola Jr High School Dongola | 16.3 mi | 6.1 |
| CHARLESTON HIGH Charleston | 17.4 mi | 5.3 |
| ST HENRY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston | 17.3 mi | 5.7 |
| WARREN E. HEARNES ELEM. Charleston | 17.9 mi | 5.6 |
| CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston | 17.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62964 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$28,875
Median Home Value
$95,000
Median Rent
$559/mo
Population
1,028
College Educated
15.3%
Homeownership
58.6%
Poverty Rate
45.4%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meridian Elementary School has a median household income of $28,875. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,000, with a median rent of $559/month. The area has a poverty rate of 45.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| 21st Century Primary Center Park Forest, IL | 5.1 |
| Belle Alexander Elem School Kewanee, IL | 5.1 |
| Dahlgren Elem School Dahlgren, IL | 5.1 |
| East Elementary School Zion, IL | 5.1 |
| Fairview Elem School Springfield, IL | 5.1 |
| Hendricks Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meridian Elementary School
What grades does Meridian Elementary School serve?
Meridian Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Meridian Elementary School?
Meridian Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 232 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meridian Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meridian Elementary School rank in IL?
Meridian Elementary School is ranked #3009 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Meridian Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Meridian Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Meridian Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meridian Elementary School has 7.8% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meridian Elementary School a charter school?
No, Meridian Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meridian Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Meridian Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meridian Elementary School?
93.5% of students at Meridian Elementary 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
- Elevated (993/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mounds). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 232
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pulaski County
- Phone
- (618) 342-6778
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Meridian CUSD 101- District Enrollment
- 442
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,878
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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