Average
#1778 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 47% in state
Watseka Junior High School
Middle School · Iroquois County CUSD 9
138 S Belmont Ave, Watseka, IL 60970
Enrollment
211
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
211
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watseka
#3 of 4
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#336 of 684
In district
#3 of 4
Iroquois County CUSD 9
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Watseka Junior High School
Watseka Junior High School serves 211 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in this small Illinois town. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 77th percentile among Illinois middle schools at #868 out of 3,819 schools statewide.
Students show particular strength in reading and language arts, with 37% achieving proficiency or above across all tested grade levels. The school's overall academic score of 7.4 out of 10 reflects its commitment to providing quality middle school education. Located at 138 S Belmont Ave, Watseka Junior High sits in a community where the median household income is $51,483 and median home values average $112,400.
The surrounding area has a population of about 6,025 residents, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.8%. This traditional public middle school serves as an important educational stepping stone for students in Watseka, operating within a close-knit town environment in Iroquois County where community connections and smaller class sizes help support student growth during these crucial middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Watseka Junior High School — Students at Watseka Junior High School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How Watseka Junior High School Compares
See how Watseka Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 16% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
138 S Belmont Ave, Watseka, IL 60970
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watseka Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Donovan Jr High School (rated 9.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Donovan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cissna Park Jr High School (rated 4.5/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Cissna Park), a more accessible option. For more schools in Watseka, see our Watseka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watseka Comm High School Watseka | 0.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Wanda Kendall Elem School Watseka | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Glenn Raymond School Watseka | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Crescent City Grade School Crescent City | 6.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Milford Grade School West Campus Milford | 9.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Milford High School Campus Milford | 9.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Donovan Elem School Donovan | 9.6 mi | 8.4 |
| ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milford | 9.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Donovan Jr High School Donovan | 10.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Donovan Sr High School Donovan | 10.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Ashkum Early Literacy Center Ashkum | 14.0 mi | 5.0 |
| St Anne Comm High School Saint Anne | 17.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Iroquois West Elem Sch/Danforth Danforth | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| St Anne Elem School Saint Anne | 17.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Cissna Park Sr High School Cissna Park | 16.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Cissna Park Elementary School Cissna Park | 16.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Cissna Park Jr High School Cissna Park | 16.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Iroquois West High School Gilman | 13.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Iroquois West Elem School/Gilman Gilman | 13.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Central High School Clifton | 16.5 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60970 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,456
Median Home Value
$120,700
Median Rent
$816/mo
Population
5,965
College Educated
13.4%
Homeownership
69.8%
Avg Commute
18.7 min
Poverty Rate
23.4%
Median Age
47.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watseka Junior High School has a median household income of $48,456. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,700, with a median rent of $816/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Argenta-Oreana Middle School Argenta, IL | 6.4 |
| Emge Junior High School Belleville, IL | 6.4 |
| Hoopeston Area Middle School Hoopeston, IL | 6.4 |
| Lincoln Jr High School La Salle, IL | 6.4 |
| Tremont Middle School Tremont, IL | 6.4 |
| Calumet Elem School Calumet Park, IL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watseka Junior High School
What grades does Watseka Junior High School serve?
Watseka Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Watseka Junior High School?
Watseka Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 211 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watseka Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Watseka Junior High 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 Watseka Junior High School rank in IL?
Watseka Junior High School is ranked #1778 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Watseka Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watseka Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Watseka Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watseka Junior High School has 20.5% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watseka Junior High School a charter school?
No, Watseka Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watseka Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Watseka Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watseka Junior High School?
68.2% of students at Watseka Junior High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,570/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watseka). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 211
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Iroquois County
- Phone
- (815) 432-2115
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Iroquois County CUSD 9- District Enrollment
- 907
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,618
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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