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Average

#2138 of 3,813 schools in IL

West Prairie Junior High School

Middle School · West Prairie CUSD 103

18575 E 800Th St, Colchester, IL 62326

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

6.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colchester

#3 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#410 of 684

In district

#4 of 4

West Prairie CUSD 103

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About West Prairie Junior High School

West Prairie Junior High School is a small rural middle school located in Colchester, Illinois. Serving seventh and eighth graders, the school has an enrollment of 94 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a close-knit community where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student.

West Prairie Junior High School is ranked 26th percentile in Illinois, indicating there may be room for academic growth. On the MySchoolScout rating scale, the school scores a 4.3 out of 10 overall and 3.3 out of 10 for academics specifically. In terms of test performance, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 10% meet proficiency standards in Math.

Despite its challenges, West Prairie Junior High School benefits from a tight-knit rural community where teachers and parents work closely to support student development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 94 students, West Prairie Junior High 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.

While current test scores at West Prairie Junior High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, West Prairie Junior High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,253

West Prairie Junior High School — Students at West Prairie Junior High School score 12% 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

43.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
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
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
17%

* 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 West Prairie Junior High School Compares

See how West Prairie Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
44th percentile in IL
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

18575 E 800Th St, Colchester, IL 62326

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Prairie Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch (rated 7.0/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Bushnell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Macomb Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Macomb), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Monmouth-Roseville Jr High Sch (rated 4.5/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Roseville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Colchester, see our Colchester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
West Prairie Senior High School Colchester 0.0 mi 6.3
West Prairie South Elementary Sch Colchester 0.2 mi 9.7
MacArthur Early Childhood Center Macomb 6.5 mi 5.0
Macomb Middle School Macomb 6.5 mi 6.5
Macomb Senior High School Macomb 6.5 mi 5.5
FIELDS LAB SCHOOL Macomb 7.3 mi
Edison Elementary School Macomb 7.4 mi 5.9
Lincoln Elem School Macomb 7.8 mi 7.3
West Prairie North Elementary Sch Good Hope 11.5 mi 7.2
TRINITY ACADEMY Industry 11.9 mi 6.7
La Harpe Elementary School La Harpe 14.9 mi 8.2
Southeastern Jr/Sr High School Augusta 15.7 mi 5.3
Bushnell-Prairie City High Sch Bushnell 17.5 mi 5.5
Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch Bushnell 17.5 mi 7.0
Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell 18.0 mi 5.9
Southeastern Elementary School Bowen 19.1 mi 5.3
Monmouth-Roseville Jr High Sch Roseville 22.4 mi 4.5
Illini West High School Carthage 17.9 mi 5.9
Carthage Primary School Carthage 17.9 mi 2.8
Carthage Middle School Carthage 17.9 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62326 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,048

Median Home Value

$116,400

Median Rent

$654/mo

Population

2,317

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

79.2%

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Prairie Junior High School has a median household income of $65,048. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,400, with a median rent of $654/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A-C Central Middle School Ashland, IL 6.1
Egyptian Jr High School Tamms, IL 6.1
Ridgeview Jr High School Colfax, IL 5.9
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago, IL 5.9
Washington Elem School Oglesby, IL 5.9
Lincolnwood Jr High School Raymond, IL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Prairie Junior High School

What grades does West Prairie Junior High School serve?

West Prairie Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend West Prairie Junior High School?

West Prairie Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Prairie Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Prairie Junior High School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Prairie Junior High School rank in IL?

West Prairie Junior High School is ranked #2138 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is West Prairie Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Prairie Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 West Prairie Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Prairie Junior High School has 9.8% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Prairie Junior High School a charter school?

No, West Prairie Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Prairie Junior High School a Title I school?

No, West Prairie Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Prairie Junior High School?

43.6% of students at West Prairie 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
McDonough County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Prairie CUSD 103
District Enrollment
590
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,021
District Rank
#4 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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