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Needs Improvement

#714 of 716 private schools in IL

South Prairie School

Middle School

27 N CO. RD 200E, Arcola, IL 61910

Private

Enrollment

31

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

2.6

Grades

1st – 8th

Data vintage2021-22

How this school compares

Illinois private schools

#714 of 716

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South Prairie School

2.6/10

Middle School in Arcola · grades 1st – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Meadowlark School

2.0/10

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

Prairie Lane Amish School

3.7/10

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

About South Prairie School

South Prairie School is a private middle school in Arcola, IL. South Prairie School serves approximately 31 students, and covers grades 1st-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. South Prairie School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #714 of 716 private schools in IL.

How it compares3.5 pts below IL schools
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 31 students, South Prairie School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

South Prairie School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.

South Prairie School 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How South Prairie School compares to the 2 public schools in Arcola, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
This School
vs
10.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
31
This School
vs
351
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
2.6
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 100% vs 0%
South Prairie School Arcola Public Avg

All Schools in Arcola

School Rating
South Prairie School (this school) 2.6
Arcola High School 6.7
Arcola Elementary School 5.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

Preliminary

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 15.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,122
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 1.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 31
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

27 N CO. RD 200E, Arcola, IL 61910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Prairie School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PLAINVIEW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 4.2/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Arthur), which scores notably higher. Another option is PRAIRIE LANE AMISH SCHOOL (rated 3.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Arthur), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sullivan Middle School (rated 3.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Sullivan), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Arcola, see our Arcola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MEADOWLARK SCHOOL Arthur 1.2 mi 2.0
PRAIRIE LANE AMISH SCHOOL Arthur 2.3 mi 3.7
LITTLE CREEK SCHOOL Humboldt 4.0 mi 2.9
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Arthur 3.8 mi 7.0
NORTHSIDE SCHOOL Arthur 4.3 mi
Arthur Grade School Arthur 4.1 mi 6.6
BEAR CREEK SCHOOL Tuscola 5.4 mi 2.3
ARTHUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arthur 4.9 mi 4.8
PLAINVIEW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Arthur 5.0 mi 4.2
Arcola Elementary School Arcola 6.4 mi 5.5
Arcola High School Arcola 6.4 mi 6.7
Atwood-Hammond Grade School Atwood 9.9 mi 8.6
Riddle Elementary School Mattoon 12.5 mi 4.0
Sullivan High School Sullivan 10.1 mi 5.0
Sullivan Middle School Sullivan 10.1 mi 3.5
Sullivan Elem School Sullivan 10.1 mi 6.1
Mattoon High School Mattoon 13.3 mi 6.0
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon 13.1 mi 5.8
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon 13.1 mi 5.3
Lovington Grade School Lovington 10.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,173

Median Home Value

$147,500

Median Rent

$809/mo

Population

4,910

College Educated

16.7%

Homeownership

77.7%

Avg Commute

15.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LITTLE CREEK SCHOOL Humboldt, IL 2.9
BEAR CREEK SCHOOL Tuscola, IL 2.3
MEADOWLARK SCHOOL Arthur, IL 2.0
PRAIRIE LANE AMISH SCHOOL Arthur, IL 3.7
Morrisonville Jr High School Morrisonville, IL 4.0
Deland-Weldon Middle School Weldon, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Prairie School

What grades does South Prairie School serve?

South Prairie School serves students in grades 1st through 8th.

How many students attend South Prairie School?

South Prairie School has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Prairie School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Prairie School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does South Prairie School rank in IL?

South Prairie School ranks #714 of 716 private schools in IL.

What is South Prairie School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Prairie School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

Is South Prairie School a private school?

Yes, South Prairie School is a private coeducational school with a Amish affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is South Prairie School a religious school?

South Prairie School has a Amish religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
31
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Amish
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
165 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Douglas County

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