Needs Improvement
#714 of 716 private schools in IL
South Prairie School
Middle School
27 N CO. RD 200E, Arcola, IL 61910
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IL statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
2.6
Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
2.6
Grades
1st – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Illinois middle schools
#15 of 17
About South Prairie School
South Prairie School is a small rural middle school located in Arcola, Illinois, serving students from first through eighth grade. With an enrollment of just 31 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides a close-knit learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each child. The school has two full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and personal development.
Despite not having specific test score data available, South Prairie School aims to support its students in their educational journey with resources and personalized instruction tailored to meet their needs. The MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 places the school around the 14th percentile among Illinois schools, indicating room for improvement but also highlighting the unique challenges faced by rural institutions. South Prairie School is situated in a quiet, rural setting that offers students plenty of space to explore and learn about nature firsthand.
The community around the school is tight-knit, providing a supportive atmosphere for both students and their families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 31 students, South Prairie School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
As a private school, South Prairie School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, South Prairie School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow South Prairie School compares to the 2 public schools in Arcola, IL
Student Demographics
All Schools in Arcola
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| South Prairie School (this school) | 2.6 |
| Arcola High School | 6.3 |
| Arcola Elementary School | 5.1 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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. Sullivan Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Sullivan), which scores notably higher. Another option is PLAINVIEW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 4.2/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Arthur), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PRAIRIE LANE AMISH SCHOOL (rated 3.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Arthur), which scores notably 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 | 7.3 |
| NORTHSIDE SCHOOL Arthur | 4.3 mi | — |
| Arthur Grade School Arthur | 4.1 mi | 8.7 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Arcola High School Arcola | 6.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Atwood-Hammond Grade School Atwood | 9.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Riddle Elementary School Mattoon | 12.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Sullivan High School Sullivan | 10.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Sullivan Middle School Sullivan | 10.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Sullivan Elem School Sullivan | 10.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Mattoon High School Mattoon | 13.3 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 7.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Prairie School has a median household income of $83,173. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $147,500, with a median rent of $809/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| LITTLE CREEK SCHOOL Humboldt, IL | 2.9 |
| BEAR CREEK SCHOOL Tuscola, IL | 2.3 |
| MEADOWLARK SCHOOL Arthur, IL | 2.0 |
| Morrisonville Jr High School Morrisonville, IL | 3.5 |
| PRAIRIE LANE AMISH SCHOOL Arthur, IL | 3.7 |
| 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 is ranked #714 out of 716 private schools in IL.
What is South Prairie School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Prairie School has a composite rating of 2.6 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.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (869/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arcola). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (217) 543-5169
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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