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#2575 of 3,813 schools in IL

Rock Falls Middle School

Middle School · Rock Falls ESD 13

1701 12th Ave, Rock Falls, IL 61071

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rock Falls

#5 of 7

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#495 of 684

In district

#3 of 4

Rock Falls ESD 13

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Rock Falls Middle School

Rock Falls Middle School serves 247 students in grades 6-8 in the town of Rock Falls, Illinois. With 22 full-time teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking #563 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to middle-grade education, with an academic score of 7.6 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 38% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels. Located at 1701 12th Ave in Whiteside County, Rock Falls Middle School serves a working-class community where the median household income is $55,478 and median home values are $102,700.

The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 16.3%, and 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. As a regular public school in this town setting, Rock Falls Middle School provides middle school students with a structured educational environment during these crucial transitional years. The school operates within a close-knit community of nearly 14,000 residents in the 61071 ZIP code area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,720

Rock Falls Middle School — Students at Rock Falls Middle School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.0%
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
34%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
26%
2022
ELA
38%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Rock Falls Middle School Compares

See how Rock Falls Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in IL
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

1701 12th Ave, Rock Falls, IL 61071

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rock Falls Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Merrill Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montmorency CCSD #145 (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS (rated 8.0/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Milledgeville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rock Falls, see our Rock Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Dillon Elementary School Rock Falls 0.3 mi 7.2
ST ANDREW CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rock Falls 0.5 mi 7.2
Rock Falls Township High School Rock Falls 0.9 mi 6.3
Merrill Elem School Rock Falls 1.0 mi 8.5
Riverdale PreSchool Center Rock Falls 1.4 mi 5.0
Washington Elem School Sterling 2.4 mi 6.1
Sterling High School Sterling 2.6 mi 5.6
Lincoln Elem School Sterling 2.5 mi 4.8
Challand Middle School Sterling 2.7 mi 5.7
East Coloma - Nelson Elem Sch Rock Falls 2.1 mi 5.4
Jefferson Elem School Sterling 2.7 mi 4.8
NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sterling 2.9 mi 5.8
Montmorency CCSD #145 Rock Falls 3.2 mi 8.0
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sterling 3.2 mi 6.8
Franklin Elem School Sterling 3.4 mi 4.7
Tampico Elem School Tampico 10.4 mi 4.8
Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville 14.3 mi 5.6
Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville 14.3 mi 8.0
Jefferson Elem School Dixon 12.3 mi 4.9
Dixon High School Dixon 12.4 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,909

Median Home Value

$104,900

Median Rent

$752/mo

Population

13,482

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

74.9%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.7%

Median Age

43.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rock Falls Middle School has a median household income of $57,909. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,900, with a median rent of $752/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Gillespie Middle School Gillespie, IL 5.6
Lake Bluff Middle School Lake Bluff, IL 5.6
North Boone Middle School Poplar Grove, IL 5.6
Pecatonica Comm Middle School Pecatonica, IL 5.6
Stanton School Fox Lake, IL 5.6
United Jr High Sch Monmouth, IL 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rock Falls Middle School

What grades does Rock Falls Middle School serve?

Rock Falls Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Rock Falls Middle School?

Rock Falls Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rock Falls Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rock Falls Middle School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rock Falls Middle School rank in IL?

Rock Falls Middle School is ranked #2575 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Rock Falls Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rock Falls Middle School 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 Rock Falls Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rock Falls Middle School has 23.5% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rock Falls Middle School a charter school?

No, Rock Falls Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rock Falls Middle School a Title I school?

No, Rock Falls Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rock Falls Middle School?

71.3% of students at Rock Falls 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,581/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rock Falls). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Whiteside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rock Falls ESD 13
District Enrollment
882
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,477
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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