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Below Average

#3273 of 3,813 schools in IL

Pleasant Plains Middle School

Middle School · Pleasant Plains CUSD 8

2455 N Farmingdale Rd, Pleasant Plains, IL 62677

Enrollment

385

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

4.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pleasant Plains

#3 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#608 of 684

In district

#3 of 3

Pleasant Plains CUSD 8

About Pleasant Plains Middle School

Pleasant Plains Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Pleasant Plains, Illinois. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 385 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 22nd percentile among Illinois schools.

Academically, Pleasant Plains Middle School has room for improvement, as indicated by its state ranking and scores: 24% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 26% meet proficiency standards in math. Pleasant Plains Middle School is situated in a setting that offers a close-knit community feel, making it an inviting place for students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pleasant Plains Middle 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 Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20%
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-23.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,085

Pleasant Plains Middle School — Students at Pleasant Plains Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.0%
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
32%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
22%
2022
ELA
20%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Pleasant Plains Middle School Compares

See how Pleasant Plains Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in IL
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

2455 N Farmingdale Rd, Pleasant Plains, IL 62677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pleasant Plains Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. U S Grant Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Springfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Berlin Jr High School (rated 4.5/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby New Berlin), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pleasant Plains, see our Pleasant Plains schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Farmingdale Elem School Pleasant Plains 0.2 mi 7.5
SPRINGFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Springfield 5.7 mi 5.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE OF SPRINGFIELD Springfield 6.1 mi
Lindsay School Springfield 6.6 mi 5.0
Pleasant Plains High School Pleasant Plains 6.5 mi 5.9
OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield 6.6 mi 6.1
Owen Marsh Elem School Springfield 6.8 mi 4.9
Jane Addams Elem School Springfield 6.8 mi 5.9
CALVARY ACADEMY Springfield 7.0 mi 6.4
U S Grant Middle School Springfield 7.1 mi 6.9
ST AGNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield 7.3 mi 6.7
CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield 7.7 mi 6.1
Sandburg Elem School Springfield 8.0 mi 5.9
SACRED HEART GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL Springfield 7.6 mi 4.4
Dubois Elem School Springfield 7.7 mi 5.5
TRINTY Springfield 7.9 mi 6.7
New Berlin Elementary School New Berlin 9.0 mi 3.2
New Berlin Jr High School New Berlin 9.1 mi 4.5
New Berlin High School New Berlin 9.1 mi 6.5
Elizabeth Graham Elem School Springfield 8.1 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62677 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,167

Median Home Value

$210,600

Median Rent

$888/mo

Population

2,153

College Educated

34.9%

Homeownership

89.1%

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Median Age

48.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pleasant Plains Middle School has a median household income of $99,167. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,600, with a median rent of $888/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anna Junior High School Anna, IL 4.8
Bismarck-Henning Jr High School Bismarck, IL 4.7
Peotone Jr High School Peotone, IL 4.7
Pikeland Community School Pittsfield, IL 4.7
Wilbur Trimpe Middle School Bethalto, IL 4.7
Central Elem Kewanee, IL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pleasant Plains Middle School

What grades does Pleasant Plains Middle School serve?

Pleasant Plains Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Pleasant Plains Middle School?

Pleasant Plains Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Plains Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Plains Middle School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pleasant Plains Middle School rank in IL?

Pleasant Plains Middle School is ranked #3273 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Pleasant Plains Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pleasant Plains Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Pleasant Plains Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pleasant Plains Middle School has 26.5% math proficiency and 24.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pleasant Plains Middle School a charter school?

No, Pleasant Plains Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pleasant Plains Middle School a Title I school?

No, Pleasant Plains Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pleasant Plains Middle School?

11.7% of students at Pleasant Plains Middle 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

City Safety
Low (249/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pleasant Plains). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Sangamon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pleasant Plains CUSD 8
District Enrollment
1,284
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,347
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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