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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,141

Prairie Central Upper Elementary — Students at Prairie Central Upper Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
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
39%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2022
ELA
34%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.7/10
63th percentile in IL
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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