Average
#2526 of 3,813 schools in IL
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch
Middle School · Central CUSD 301
225 Nesler Rd, Elgin, IL 60124
Enrollment
777
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
777
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elgin
#9 of 25
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#485 of 684
In district
#3 of 7
Central CUSD 301
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Prairie Knolls Middle Sch
Prairie Knolls Middle School serves 777 students in grades 6 and 7 in Elgin, Illinois, offering a focused two-year middle school experience. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful teacher-student connections during these crucial transitional years. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide at #583 out of 3,819 Illinois schools.
This impressive standing is reflected in the school's 9.5 out of 10 academic score, with 60% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. These results suggest Prairie Knolls is effectively preparing students for high school success. The school draws from an affluent community in the 60124 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $137,335 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a poverty rate of just 1.6% and median home values around $367,700, the neighborhood provides a stable, education-focused environment. Prairie Knolls Middle School operates within Elgin's mid-size city setting, offering students both suburban comfort and urban conveniences.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch — Students at Prairie Knolls Middle Sch score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.5/10.
How Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Compares
See how Prairie Knolls Middle Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 38% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 60% (2022).
Location
225 Nesler Rd, Elgin, IL 60124
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Knolls Middle Sch may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kimball Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 3.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Abbott Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie View Grade School Elgin | 0.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Country Trails Elem Elgin | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elgin | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elgin | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Otter Creek Elem School Elgin | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Hillcrest Elem School Elgin | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Corron Elementary School South Elgin | 3.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Creekside Elem Elgin | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF SOUTH ELGIN South Elgin | 3.5 mi | — |
| ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Larkin High School Elgin | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin | 3.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Kimball Middle School Elgin | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Highland Elem School Elgin | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Illinois Park Elem School Elgin | 3.6 mi | — |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Saint Charles | 4.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Abbott Middle School Elgin | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Ferson Creek School Saint Charles | 5.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Century Oaks Elem School Elgin | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,350
Median Home Value
$403,300
Median Rent
$1,956/mo
Population
24,400
College Educated
49.9%
Homeownership
93.9%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Knolls Middle Sch has a median household income of $135,350. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,300, with a median rent of $1,956/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Antioch Upper Grade School Antioch, IL | 5.6 |
| Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center Bourbonnais, IL | 5.6 |
| Franklin Park Middle School Salem, IL | 5.6 |
| Glenwood Intermediate Sch Chatham, IL | 5.6 |
| Jack Hille Middle School Oak Forest, IL | 5.6 |
| Lincoln Middle School Berwyn, IL | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Knolls Middle Sch
What grades does Prairie Knolls Middle Sch serve?
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch serves students in grades 6th through 7th.
How many students attend Prairie Knolls Middle Sch?
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch has an enrollment of approximately 777 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Knolls Middle Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Knolls Middle Sch is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Knolls Middle Sch rank in IL?
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch is ranked #2526 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Knolls Middle Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Knolls Middle Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Knolls Middle Sch has 44.0% math proficiency and 59.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Knolls Middle Sch a charter school?
No, Prairie Knolls Middle Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Knolls Middle Sch a Title I school?
No, Prairie Knolls Middle Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Knolls Middle Sch?
17.1% of students at Prairie Knolls Middle Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,372/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elgin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 7th
- Enrollment
- 777
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kane County
- Phone
- (847) 717-8100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central CUSD 301- District Enrollment
- 4,940
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,741
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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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