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Average

#2856 of 3,813 schools in IL

Northwestern JR High School

Middle School · Northwestern CUSD 2

30889 Route 111, Palmyra, IL 62674

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

5.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmyra

#3 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#542 of 684

In district

#3 of 3

Northwestern CUSD 2

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Northwestern JR High School

Northwestern Jr High School is a small, rural middle school located in Palmyra, Illinois, serving students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of just 52 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, the school provides a close-knit learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each student. Northwestern Jr High School has four full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its students.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.3 out of 10, with an academic score of 1.7 out of 10. These scores reflect areas where the school can focus on improving student performance in both English Language Arts and Math, as proficiency rates stand at 15% for ELA/Reading and just 5% for Math. However, Northwestern Jr High School is committed to fostering a supportive community that helps students develop academically and personally.

Northwestern Jr High School sits in a quiet rural setting, offering its students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Northwestern JR High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Northwestern 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.

Located in a rural area, Northwestern 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 Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-25.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,840

Northwestern JR High School — Students at Northwestern JR High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 14.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2022
ELA
5%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Northwestern JR High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in IL
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

30889 Route 111, Palmyra, IL 62674

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Carlinville Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Carlinville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Mac Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Girard), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmyra, see our Palmyra schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwestern High School Palmyra 0.0 mi 6.1
Northwestern Elem School Palmyra 0.1 mi 8.0
Waverly Elementary School Waverly 10.2 mi 5.6
Waverly Jr/Sr High School Waverly 10.2 mi 6.3
Franklin East Grade School Franklin 12.5 mi 7.0
Franklin Jr/Sr High School Franklin 12.6 mi 4.9
Franklin Elementary School Franklin 12.6 mi 7.8
Carlinville Intermediate School Carlinville 12.3 mi 4.2
Carlinville High School Carlinville 12.7 mi 6.7
Carlinville Middle School Carlinville 12.8 mi 5.4
Carlinville Primary School Carlinville 13.5 mi 8.5
North Mac Intermediate Girard 11.3 mi 5.2
North Mac Middle School Girard 11.3 mi 3.9
North Mac Elementary Virden 12.4 mi 5.4
North Mac High School Virden 12.6 mi 3.7
Greenfield High School Greenfield 13.5 mi 4.9
Greenfield Elem School Greenfield 13.6 mi 5.2
Auburn High School Auburn 16.7 mi 5.5
Auburn Middle School Auburn 16.7 mi 4.7
Auburn Elem School Auburn 16.7 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62674 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,196

Median Home Value

$102,600

Median Rent

$695/mo

Population

1,319

College Educated

13.6%

Homeownership

79.1%

Avg Commute

38.9 min

Poverty Rate

20.5%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwestern JR High School has a median household income of $54,196. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,600, with a median rent of $695/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ALTERNATIVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY Blue Island, IL 5.4
CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Urbana, IL 5.4
Prairieview-Ogden Jr High Sch Thomasboro, IL 5.0
Cissna Park Jr High School Cissna Park, IL 4.5
Dongola Jr High School Dongola, IL 6.1
Egyptian Jr High School Tamms, IL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern JR High School

What grades does Northwestern JR High School serve?

Northwestern JR High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Northwestern JR High School?

Northwestern JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern JR High School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern JR High School rank in IL?

Northwestern JR High School is ranked #2856 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Northwestern JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern JR High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Northwestern JR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern JR High School has 5.0% math proficiency and 14.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northwestern JR High School a charter school?

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

Is Northwestern JR High School a Title I school?

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

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

40.4% of students at Northwestern 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

County Safety
Low (173/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Macoupin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Northwestern CUSD 2
District Enrollment
320
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,915
District Rank
#3 of 3

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

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