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Very Good

#989 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 26% in state

Prairie Knolls Middle Sch

Middle School · Central CUSD 301

225 Nesler Rd, Elgin, IL 60124

Enrollment

777

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#989 of 3,813

In Elgin

#1 of 25

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

Central CUSD 301

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Prairie Knolls Middle Sch

7.3/10

Middle School in Elgin · grades 6th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Prairie View Grade School

7.0/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Country Trails Elem

6.7/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Prairie Knolls Middle Sch

Prairie Knolls Middle Sch is a public middle school in Elgin, IL, part of Central CUSD 301. Prairie Knolls Middle Sch serves approximately 777 students, and covers grades 6th-7th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Knolls Middle Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #989 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Prairie Knolls Middle Sch show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • IL avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency49% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,741
Chronic Absenteeism12.2%

Prairie Knolls Middle Sch — Students at Prairie Knolls Middle Sch score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
96%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
55%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2022
ELA
60%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Compares

See how Prairie Knolls Middle Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in IL
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

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 3.9/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Abbott Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 3.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 7.0
Country Trails Elem Elgin 2.2 mi 6.7
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 4.8
Hillcrest Elem School Elgin 2.3 mi 4.2
Corron Elementary School South Elgin 3.2 mi 8.2
Creekside Elem Elgin 2.9 mi 3.0
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 5.0
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 3.3 mi 3.8
Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin 3.2 mi 2.2
Kimball Middle School Elgin 3.4 mi 3.9
Highland Elem School Elgin 3.4 mi 3.0
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 3.2
Ferson Creek School Saint Charles 5.0 mi 8.8
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin 4.1 mi 4.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Irving Middle School Maywood, IL 7.3
Lombard Middle School Galesburg, IL 7.3
Manteno Middle School Manteno, IL 7.3
Mascoutah Middle School Mascoutah, IL 7.3
Prairie View Middle School Tinley Park, IL 7.3
Stevenson Middle School Melrose Park, IL 7.3

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 ranks #989 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Prairie Knolls Middle Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Knolls Middle Sch 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 Knolls Middle Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Knolls Middle Sch has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

District

Central CUSD 301
District Enrollment
4,940
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,741
District Rank
#3 of 7

How we rate schools

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