Average
#1907 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 50% in state
Reed-custer Middle School
Middle School · Reed Custer CUSD 255U
407 Comet Dr, Braidwood, IL 60408
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Braidwood
#2 of 3
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#362 of 684
In district
#2 of 3
Reed Custer CUSD 255U
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Reed-custer Middle School
Reed-Custer Middle School serves 287 students in grades 6 through 8 in Braidwood, Illinois, offering a focused middle school experience with strong academic performance. With 28 full-time teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes than many public schools. The school demonstrates solid academic achievement, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #504 out of 3,819 Illinois schools.
Students show steady performance in English Language Arts and reading, with 40% scoring proficient or above across the middle school grades. This academic success reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for high school and beyond. Reed-Custer Middle School draws families from a stable community where the median household income is $85,625 and median home values are $204,000.
The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 7.1%, contributing to a supportive learning environment. While 17% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families from diverse educational backgrounds. The school sits in Braidwood, a town on the fringe of an urban area, providing students with a small-town atmosphere while maintaining access to broader opportunities in the greater Chicago region.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Reed-custer Middle School — Students at Reed-custer Middle School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
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: 3.8/10.
How Reed-custer Middle School Compares
See how Reed-custer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 24% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
407 Comet Dr, Braidwood, IL 60408
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Reed-custer Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Coal City Middle School (rated 8.6/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Coal City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Channahon Junior High School (rated 7.9/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Channahon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilmington Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Braidwood, see our Braidwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Reed-Custer High School Braidwood | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Reed-Custer Elementary School Braidwood | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Braceville Elem School Braceville | 3.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Bruning Elem School Wilmington | 3.7 mi | 4.4 |
| L J Stevens Intermediate School Wilmington | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilmington Middle School Wilmington | 4.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Coal City Intermediate School Coal City | 4.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Coal City Elem School Coal City | 4.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Wilmington High School Wilmington | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Coal City High School Coal City | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Coal City Middle School Coal City | 5.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Coal City Early Childhood Center Coal City | 5.4 mi | 4.8 |
| South Wilmington Grade School South Wilmington | 6.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Gardner Elem School Gardner | 6.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S Gardner | 7.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Pioneer Path Channahon | 12.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Elwood C C School Elwood | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| N B Galloway Elem School Channahon | 12.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Channahon Junior High School Channahon | 12.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Aux Sable Minooka | 12.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,914
Median Home Value
$219,800
Median Rent
$1,089/mo
Population
5,332
College Educated
19.1%
Homeownership
80.2%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Reed-custer Middle School has a median household income of $93,914. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,800, with a median rent of $1,089/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| EPG Middle School Gridley, IL | 6.3 |
| Forest Park Middle School Forest Park, IL | 6.3 |
| Sauk Elem School Richton Park, IL | 6.3 |
| West Jr High School Belleville, IL | 6.3 |
| Wolf Branch Middle School Swansea, IL | 6.3 |
| Greenville Jr High School Greenville, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Reed-custer Middle School
What grades does Reed-custer Middle School serve?
Reed-custer Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Reed-custer Middle School?
Reed-custer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Reed-custer Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Reed-custer Middle School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Reed-custer Middle School rank in IL?
Reed-custer Middle School is ranked #1907 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Reed-custer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Reed-custer Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Reed-custer Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Reed-custer Middle School has 29.5% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Reed-custer Middle School a charter school?
No, Reed-custer Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Reed-custer Middle School a Title I school?
No, Reed-custer Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Reed-custer Middle School?
42.2% of students at Reed-custer Middle School 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
- Average (454/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Braidwood). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Will County
- Phone
- (815) 458-2868
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reed Custer CUSD 255U- District Enrollment
- 1,375
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,146
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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