Average
#1423 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 37% in state
Prairie Central Upper Elementary
Middle School · Prairie Central CUSD 8
312 N Center St, Forrest, IL 61741
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forrest
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#262 of 684
In district
#1 of 6
Prairie Central CUSD 8
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Prairie Central Upper Elementary
Prairie Central Upper Elementary serves 220 students in grades 5 and 6 in the small community of Forrest, Illinois. This middle school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school performs well academically, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile among Illinois schools at #833 out of 3,819 statewide.
With 34% of students achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading across grade levels, Prairie Central Upper Elementary demonstrates solid academic foundations as students transition into their middle school years. Located in Livingston County, the school serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $84,688 and median home values are $158,400. The area maintains a low poverty rate of 11.1%, with about 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
As a regular public school in this remote rural setting, Prairie Central Upper Elementary provides students with a close-knit educational environment where they can build strong relationships with teachers and peers while developing the academic skills needed for their continued educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Prairie Central Upper Elementary 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
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Prairie Central Upper Elementary — Students at Prairie Central Upper Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
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: 5.2/10.
How Prairie Central Upper Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Central Upper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 34% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 34% (2022).
Location
312 N Center St, Forrest, IL 61741
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Central Upper Elementary may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GCMS Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Gibson City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Prairie Central Jr High School (rated 6.5/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ridgeview Jr High School (rated 5.9/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Colfax), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Forrest, see our Forrest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Central Jr High School Forrest | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Prairie Central High School Fairbury | 5.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Prairie Central Elem School Fairbury | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Prairie Central Primary East Chatsworth | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Saunemin Elem School Saunemin | 9.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Tri-Point High School Cullom | 11.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Tri-Point Jr High/Elementary Piper City | 11.7 mi | 5.8 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac | 14.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Elem School Pontiac | 14.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac | 14.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Pontiac High School Pontiac | 14.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac | 14.1 mi | 3.3 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Pontiac | 14.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Elem School Pontiac | 14.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Tri Point Elementary School Kempton | 15.7 mi | 5.5 |
| HERITAGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Roberts | 15.5 mi | — |
| Odell Grade School Odell | 18.3 mi | 6.2 |
| GCMS Middle School Gibson City | 18.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Ridgeview High School Colfax | 16.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax | 16.8 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Central Upper Elementary has a median household income of $82,375. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,500, with a median rent of $642/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Massac Jr High School Metropolis, IL | 6.7 |
| Central Jr High School West Frankfort, IL | 6.8 |
| Orion Middle School Orion, IL | 6.8 |
| Wm F Gurrie Middle School La Grange, IL | 6.8 |
| Benjamin Middle School West Chicago, IL | 6.6 |
| Fox River Grove Middle School Fox River Grove, IL | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Central Upper Elementary
What grades does Prairie Central Upper Elementary serve?
Prairie Central Upper Elementary serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Prairie Central Upper Elementary?
Prairie Central Upper Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 220 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central Upper Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Central Upper Elementary 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 Upper Elementary rank in IL?
Prairie Central Upper Elementary is ranked #1423 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Central Upper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Central Upper Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Prairie Central Upper Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Central Upper Elementary has 36.5% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Central Upper Elementary a charter school?
No, Prairie Central Upper Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Central Upper Elementary a Title I school?
No, Prairie Central Upper Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Central Upper Elementary?
49.1% of students at Prairie Central Upper Elementary 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 (185/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 220
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Livingston County
- Phone
- (815) 657-8238
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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