Average
#2205 of 3,813 schools in IL
Parkside JR High School
Middle School · McLean County USD 5
101 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Normal
#6 of 15
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#424 of 684
In district
#8 of 23
McLean County USD 5
About Parkside JR High School
Parkside Jr High School is a middle school in Normal, Illinois, located at 101 N Parkside Rd. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 586 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 with 45 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering a supportive environment for its students.
Parkside Jr High School’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.0 out of 10, placing it around the 63rd percentile among Illinois schools, ranking #1415 out of 3819. Academically, the school scores an average of 6.3 out of 10 and has 33% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 28% proficiency in Math across its grades. While these figures indicate room for growth, the supportive community at Parkside Jr High School aims to foster a nurturing environment where students can develop their skills.
The school is located in Normal, which offers a suburban setting with easy access to amenities and resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Parkside JR High School — Students at Parkside JR High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.9%
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: 5.5/10.
How Parkside JR High School Compares
See how Parkside JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 24% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 29% (2022).
Location
101 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Parkside JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chiddix Jr High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kingsley Jr High School (rated 4.5/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Normal, see our Normal schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Parkside Elementary School Normal | 0.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Normal Community West High School Normal | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| YBMC Charter Sch Normal | 1.2 mi | — |
| Oakdale Elem School Normal | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Kingsley Jr High School Normal | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| University High School Normal | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Sheridan Elem School Bloomington | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Thomas Metcalf School Normal | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Fairview Elem School Normal | 1.8 mi | 3.1 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Normal | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Bent Elem School Bloomington | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Glenn Elem School Normal | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Sarah A Raymond Sch of Early Educ Bloomington | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Bloomington | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Chiddix Jr High School Normal | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Irving Elementary School Bloomington | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| MULBERRY SCHOOL Normal | 2.5 mi | — |
| BLOOM COMMUNITY SCHOOL Normal | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Colene Hoose Elem School Normal | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61761 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,642
Median Home Value
$200,900
Median Rent
$976/mo
Population
53,404
College Educated
52.5%
Homeownership
55.4%
Avg Commute
17.2 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
25.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Parkside JR High School has a median household income of $66,642. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,900, with a median rent of $976/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Bednarcik Junior High School Aurora, IL | 6.0 |
| Clinton Jr High School Clinton, IL | 6.0 |
| Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb, IL | 6.0 |
| Freeburg Elem School Freeburg, IL | 6.0 |
| Madison Jr High School Naperville, IL | 6.0 |
| Nelson Ridge School New Lenox, IL | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Parkside JR High School
What grades does Parkside JR High School serve?
Parkside JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Parkside JR High School?
Parkside JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Parkside JR High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Parkside 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 Parkside JR High School rank in IL?
Parkside JR High School is ranked #2205 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Parkside JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Parkside JR High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Parkside JR High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parkside JR High School has 28.0% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Parkside JR High School a charter school?
No, Parkside JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Parkside JR High School a Title I school?
No, Parkside JR High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Parkside JR High School?
46.9% of students at Parkside 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
- City Safety
- High (1,885/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Normal). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 586
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- McLean County
- Phone
- (309) 557-4408
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McLean County USD 5- District Enrollment
- 12,518
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,620
- District Rank
- #8 of 23
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.