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
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Meridian JR High School — Students at Meridian JR High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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 Meridian JR High School Compares
See how Meridian JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 24% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 44% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (815) 645-2230
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Meridian CUSD 223- District Enrollment
- 1,495
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,212
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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