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Average

#1655 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 43% in state

Southwestern Middle School

Middle School · Southwestern CUSD 9

8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL 62079

Enrollment

174

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,655 of 3,813

In Piasa

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 5

Southwestern CUSD 9

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Southwestern Middle School

6.5/10

Middle School in Piasa · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southwestern High School

8.1/10

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

Medora Intermediate School

5.9/10

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

About Southwestern Middle School

Southwestern Middle School is a public middle school in Piasa, IL, part of Southwestern CUSD 9. Southwestern Middle School serves approximately 174 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwestern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,655 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Southwestern Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 174 students, Southwestern Middle 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.

Southwestern Middle 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,053
Chronic Absenteeism17.2%

Southwestern Middle School — Students at Southwestern Middle School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (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
90%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
ELA
28%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Southwestern Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
57th percentile in IL
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

Location

8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL 62079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwestern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jersey Community Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Jerseyville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Medora Intermediate School (rated 5.9/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Medora), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Alton Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Alton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Piasa, see our Piasa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Southwestern High School Piasa 0.0 mi 8.1
Medora Intermediate School Medora 3.8 mi 5.9
Brighton North Primary School Brighton 4.8 mi 3.8
Shipman Elem School Shipman 5.2 mi 7.3
Lewis & Clark Elem School Godfrey 10.8 mi 4.1
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Godfrey 11.9 mi 5.8
North Elementary School Godfrey 12.1 mi 4.0
Jerseyville East Elem School Jerseyville 9.9 mi 6.7
Alton High School Alton 12.7 mi 7.1
Jersey Community Middle School Jerseyville 10.1 mi 6.2
Jersey Comm High School Jerseyville 10.1 mi 4.8
Bunker Hill High School Bunker Hill 11.1 mi 4.8
Jerseyville West Elem School Jerseyville 10.7 mi 5.1
ST AMBROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Godfrey 13.6 mi 6.1
Wolf Ridge Education Center Bunker Hill 11.3 mi 4.1
EVANGELICAL SCHOOL Godfrey 13.7 mi 4.6
Gilson Brown Elem School Godfrey 13.6 mi 3.4
Eunice Smith Elem School Alton 14.4 mi 4.0
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alton 14.6 mi 6.6
Alton Middle School Alton 14.9 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$129,205

Median Home Value

$234,100

Population

370

College Educated

10.5%

Homeownership

79.4%

Poverty Rate

0%

Median Age

48.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burr Ridge Middle School Burr Ridge, IL 6.5
GUARDIAN ANGEL ORTHODOX DAY SCHOOL Des Plaines, IL 6.5
LEARN Chtr - Middle School Chicago, IL 6.5
Carmi White Cnty Jr High Sch Carmi, IL 6.4
Carthage Middle School Carthage, IL 6.4
Chillicothe Jr High Chillicothe, IL 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwestern Middle School

What grades does Southwestern Middle School serve?

Southwestern Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Southwestern Middle School?

Southwestern Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 174 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Middle School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwestern Middle School rank in IL?

Southwestern Middle School ranks #1,655 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Southwestern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwestern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Southwestern Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwestern Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Southwestern Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Southwestern Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

43.7% of students at Southwestern 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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Macoupin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

District

Southwestern CUSD 9
District Enrollment
1,162
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,053
District Rank
#3 of 5

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