Average
#1342 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 35% 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
6.8
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#1,342 of 3,813
In Forrest
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 6
Prairie Central CUSD 8
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Prairie Central Upper Elementary
Middle School in Forrest · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Prairie Central JR High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Prairie Central High School
5.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie Central Upper Elementary
Prairie Central Upper Elementary is a public middle school in Forrest, IL, part of Prairie Central CUSD 8. Prairie Central Upper Elementary serves approximately 220 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Central Upper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,342 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie Central Upper Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- IL avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Prairie Central Upper Elementary 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 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 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: 4.7/10.
How Prairie Central Upper Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Central Upper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Tri-Point Jr High/Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Piper City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GCMS Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Gibson City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Prairie Central Jr High School (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.3 |
| Prairie Central High School Fairbury | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Prairie Central Elem School Fairbury | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Prairie Central Primary East Chatsworth | 6.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Saunemin Elem School Saunemin | 9.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Tri-Point High School Cullom | 11.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Tri-Point Jr High/Elementary Piper City | 11.7 mi | 7.8 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac | 14.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Elem School Pontiac | 14.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac | 14.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Pontiac High School Pontiac | 14.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac | 14.1 mi | 4.2 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| HERITAGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Roberts | 15.5 mi | — |
| Odell Grade School Odell | 18.3 mi | 5.0 |
| GCMS Middle School Gibson City | 18.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Ridgeview High School Colfax | 16.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax | 16.8 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 |
|---|---|
| Cantrall Intermediate School Cantrall, IL | 6.8 |
| John E Albright Middle School Villa Park, IL | 6.8 |
| Mossville Jr High Mossville, IL | 6.8 |
| Riverdale Middle School Port Byron, IL | 6.8 |
| Seneca Elem School South Campus Seneca, IL | 6.8 |
| PLT Middle School Prophetstown, IL | 6.9 |
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 ranks #1,342 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Central Upper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Central Upper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Upper Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Central Upper Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.2%
- Phone
- (815) 657-8238
Resources & Links
District
Prairie Central CUSD 8- District Enrollment
- 1,722
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,986
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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