Excellent
#432 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 11% in state
Pana JR High School
Middle School · Pana CUSD 8
203 W 8th St, Pana, IL 62557
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pana
#1 of 4
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#71 of 684
In district
#1 of 4
Pana CUSD 8
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Pana JR High School
Pana Jr High School serves 257 students in grades 6-8 in the small town of Pana, Illinois. This middle school has earned strong recognition, ranking #434 out of 3,819 Illinois schools and placing in the 89th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.
Academically, Pana Jr High demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 8.4 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 45% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels. As a regular public school, Pana Jr High serves families in Christian County's close-knit community.
The surrounding area reflects a working-class character, with a median household income of $53,060 and median home values around $94,800. About 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.6%. Located at 203 W 8th Street, the school sits in the heart of this town of approximately 7,000 residents, providing students with a small-town educational experience where teachers and families often know each other well.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pana JR High School — Students at Pana JR High School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70%
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: 9.4/10.
How Pana JR High School Compares
See how Pana JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 13% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
203 W 8th St, Pana, IL 62557
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pana JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cowden-Herrick Grade School (rated 9.3/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Herrick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ramsey Elem School (rated 8.8/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Ramsey), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gregory Intermediate (rated 7.9/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Moweaqua), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pana, see our Pana schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pana Sr High School Pana | 0.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Washington Elem School Pana | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| PANA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pana | 0.8 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elem School Pana | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| FAITH BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rosamond | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
| KEMMERER VILLAGE SCHOOL Assumption | 7.3 mi | — |
| Central A & M Middle School Assumption | 9.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Bond Primary Assumption | 9.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Cowden-Herrick Grade School Herrick | 12.3 mi | 9.3 |
| MID-AMERICA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Herrick | 12.5 mi | 4.9 |
| ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nokomis | 11.5 mi | 5.1 |
| North Elem School Nokomis | 12.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Nokomis Jr/Sr High Sch Nokomis | 12.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Ramsey Elem School Ramsey | 16.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Ramsey High School Ramsey | 16.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Gregory Intermediate Moweaqua | 17.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Central A & M High School Moweaqua | 17.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Memorial Elem School Taylorville | 15.8 mi | 4.8 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Taylorville | 15.8 mi | 4.9 |
| MENTA ACADEMY CORNERSTONE-TAYLORVILLE Taylorville | 15.8 mi | 2.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62557 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,769
Median Home Value
$93,600
Median Rent
$684/mo
Population
6,859
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
46.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pana JR High School has a median household income of $51,769. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $93,600, with a median rent of $684/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Evergreen Academy Elem School Chicago, IL | 8.0 |
| Lincoln Jr High School Lincoln, IL | 8.0 |
| Parkview Jr High School Creve Coeur, IL | 8.0 |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY Chicago, IL | 8.1 |
| Channahon Junior High School Channahon, IL | 7.9 |
| Hillsboro Jr High School Hillsboro, IL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pana JR High School
What grades does Pana JR High School serve?
Pana JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Pana JR High School?
Pana JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pana JR High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pana JR High 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 Pana JR High School rank in IL?
Pana JR High School is ranked #432 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Pana JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pana JR High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Pana JR High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pana JR High School has 14.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pana JR High School a charter school?
No, Pana JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pana JR High School a Title I school?
No, Pana JR High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pana JR High School?
70.0% of students at Pana 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pana). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 257
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Christian County
- Phone
- (217) 562-6543
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pana CUSD 8- District Enrollment
- 1,151
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,416
- District Rank
- #1 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
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.