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
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (309) 776-3220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Prairie CUSD 103- District Enrollment
- 590
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,021
- District Rank
- #4 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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