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
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwestern JR High School — Students at Northwestern JR High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
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
↓ 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: 6.7/10.
How Northwestern JR High School Compares
See how Northwestern JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (217) 436-2011
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwestern CUSD 2- District Enrollment
- 320
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,915
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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