Very Good
#979 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 26% in state
Prairie Central JR High School
Middle School · Prairie Central CUSD 8
800 N Wood St, Forrest, IL 61741
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#979 of 3,813
In Forrest
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 6
Prairie Central CUSD 8
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Prairie Central JR High School
Middle School in Forrest · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Prairie Central Upper Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Prairie Central High School
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie Central JR High School
Prairie Central JR High School is a public middle school in Forrest, IL, part of Prairie Central CUSD 8. Prairie Central JR High School serves approximately 232 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Central JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #979 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie Central JR High School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 7.0
- IL avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Prairie Central JR High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie Central JR High School — Students at Prairie Central JR High School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 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: 6.3/10.
How Prairie Central JR High School Compares
See how Prairie Central JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
800 N Wood St, Forrest, IL 61741
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Central JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Tri-Point Jr High/Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Piper City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Prairie Central Upper Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ridgeview Jr High School (rated 4.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Colfax), a more accessible option. For more schools in Forrest, see our Forrest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Central Upper Elementary Forrest | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Prairie Central High School Fairbury | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Prairie Central Elem School Fairbury | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Prairie Central Primary East Chatsworth | 6.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Saunemin Elem School Saunemin | 9.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Tri-Point High School Cullom | 11.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Tri-Point Jr High/Elementary Piper City | 11.8 mi | 7.8 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac | 13.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Elem School Pontiac | 13.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac | 13.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Pontiac High School Pontiac | 13.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac | 13.8 mi | 4.2 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Pontiac | 14.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Elem School Pontiac | 14.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Tri Point Elementary School Kempton | 15.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Odell Grade School Odell | 17.9 mi | 5.0 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Odell | 18.0 mi | 4.8 |
| HERITAGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Roberts | 15.8 mi | — |
| Ridgeview High School Colfax | 17.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax | 17.0 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61741 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,375
Median Home Value
$154,500
Median Rent
$642/mo
Population
1,637
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
84.7%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
30.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Channahon Junior High School Channahon, IL | 7.3 |
| Lisle Jr High School Lisle, IL | 7.3 |
| Litchfield Middle School Litchfield, IL | 7.3 |
| Orion Middle School Orion, IL | 7.3 |
| Rock Falls Middle School Rock Falls, IL | 7.3 |
| Western Jr High School Kinderhook, IL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Central JR High School
What grades does Prairie Central JR High School serve?
Prairie Central JR High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Prairie Central JR High School?
Prairie Central JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 232 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central JR High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central JR High School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Central JR High School rank in IL?
Prairie Central JR High School ranks #979 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Central JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Central JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Prairie Central JR High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Central JR High School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Prairie Central JR High School a charter school?
No, Prairie Central JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Central JR High School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Central JR High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Central JR High School?
47.0% of students at Prairie Central 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 232
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Livingston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.1%
- Phone
- (815) 657-8660
Resources & Links
District
Prairie Central CUSD 8- District Enrollment
- 1,722
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,986
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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