Skip to main content

Very Good

#1121 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 29% in state

Meridian JR High School

Middle School · Meridian CUSD 223

207 W Main St, Stillman Valley, IL 61084

Enrollment

337

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Stillman Valley

#1 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#202 of 684

In district

#2 of 4

Meridian CUSD 223

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Meridian JR High School

Meridian Jr High School serves 337 students in grades 6 through 8 in the close-knit community of Stillman Valley, Illinois. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.7 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 77th percentile statewide, placing 873rd out of 3,819 Illinois schools.

Students show steady progress in English Language Arts and reading, with 44% achieving proficiency or above across the middle school grades. The school's academic score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Meridian Jr High draws from a stable, well-established community where the median household income reaches $90,605 and home values average $199,300.

The area maintains an exceptionally low poverty rate of just 1.8%, while 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education and supports student achievement. Located at 207 W Main St, Meridian Jr High School sits in rural Ogle County near the town of Stillman Valley, offering students the benefits of small-town community support while maintaining access to quality middle school education in a peaceful, rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Meridian JR High 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 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,722

Meridian JR High School — Students at Meridian JR High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
46%
2022
ELA
44%

* 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 Meridian JR High School Compares

See how Meridian JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in IL
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

207 W Main St, Stillman Valley, IL 61084

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Meridian JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Byron Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Byron), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rockford Envrnmntl Science Acad (rated 4.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Rockford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Stillman Valley, see our Stillman Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Elem School Stillman Valley 0.4 mi 5.0
Stillman Valley High School Stillman Valley 0.5 mi 5.6
Mary Morgan Elem Sch Byron 4.6 mi 6.0
Byron High School 9-12 Byron 4.6 mi 6.4
Byron Middle School Byron 4.7 mi 6.5
Legacy Acad of Excellence Charter Rockford 8.4 mi 5.5
Kings Elementary School Kings 8.3 mi 8.5
Riverdahl Elem School Rockford 9.2 mi 6.1
Rockford Envrnmntl Science Acad Rockford 10.0 mi 4.9
Julia Lathrop Elem School Rockford 10.2 mi 4.6
Eswood C C Grade School Lindenwood 8.4 mi 4.8
Arthur Froberg Elem School Rockford 9.7 mi 5.3
Barbour Two-Way Lang Immersion Rockford 10.8 mi 5.9
Dorothy Simon Elem School Winnebago 11.1 mi 6.5
Beyer Early Childhood Center Rockford 10.8 mi 5.1
Washington Elementary School Rockford 11.0 mi 5.9
Wm Nashold Early Childhood Center Rockford 10.2 mi 4.7
Jean McNair Elementary School Winnebago 11.7 mi 8.1
Jefferson High School Rockford 10.0 mi 3.7
Winnebago High School Winnebago 11.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61084 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,264

Median Home Value

$204,400

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

3,166

College Educated

36.8%

Homeownership

87.4%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

1.8%

Median Age

52

Community Profile

The community surrounding Meridian JR High School has a median household income of $93,264. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,400, with a median rent of $797/month. The local poverty rate of 1.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Alan B Shepard Middle School Deerfield, IL 7.1
Albany Park Multicultural Elem Chicago, IL 7.1
Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest, IL 7.1
Gavin South Middle School Ingleside, IL 7.1
Genoa-Kingston Middle School Genoa, IL 7.1
Roxana Junior High School Roxana, IL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Meridian JR High School

What grades does Meridian JR High School serve?

Meridian JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Meridian JR High School?

Meridian JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 337 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Meridian JR High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Meridian JR High School rank in IL?

Meridian JR High School is ranked #1121 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Meridian JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Meridian JR High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 JR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meridian JR High School has 26.0% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Meridian JR High School a charter school?

No, Meridian JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Meridian JR High School a Title I school?

No, Meridian JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meridian JR High School?

30.6% of students at Meridian 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (198/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Ogle County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Meridian CUSD 223
District Enrollment
1,495
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,212
District Rank
#2 of 4

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.