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Very Good

#496 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 13% in state

Western JR High School

Middle School · Western CUSD 12

300 Chaney St, Kinderhook, IL 62345

Enrollment

148

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois middle schools

#83 of 684

In district

#2 of 3

Western CUSD 12

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Western JR High School

Western Jr High School serves 148 students in grades 6 through 8 in the small rural community of Kinderhook, Illinois. This middle school stands out academically, earning an impressive 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 91st percentile statewide at #343 out of 3,819 Illinois schools. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools.

The academic performance reflects this personalized approach, with the school achieving an 8.0 out of 10 academic score. In English Language Arts and Reading, 42% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels. The school serves a close-knit rural community in Pike County where the median household income is $73,333.

While 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the poverty rate stands at 17.4%, families have chosen to invest in this area where median home values are $76,900. Western Jr High School provides quality middle school education in the heart of rural Illinois, where students benefit from small class sizes and strong academic programming in a tight-knit community setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 148 students, Western JR 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.

Located in a rural area, Western JR 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 Progress9.0Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,153

Western JR High School — Students at Western JR High School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
42%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Western JR High School Compares

See how Western JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
87th percentile in IL
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

300 Chaney St, Kinderhook, IL 62345

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LOUISIANA MIDDLE (rated 7.6/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Louisiana), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HANNIBAL MIDDLE (rated 7.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Hannibal), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kinderhook, see our Kinderhook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Western Barry Elem Barry 5.5 mi 8.3
Western High School Barry 5.5 mi 6.5
Seymour Elementary School Payson 9.6 mi 4.5
Seymour High School Payson 9.6 mi 5.5
Liberty Elementary School Liberty 12.8 mi 6.8
Liberty High School Liberty 12.8 mi 7.0
A. D. STOWELL ELEM. Hannibal 10.8 mi 3.8
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Hannibal 11.6 mi 5.7
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hannibal 11.8 mi 6.1
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Hannibal 11.9 mi 4.2
MARK TWAIN ELEM. Hannibal 12.6 mi 5.0
HANNIBAL MIDDLE Hannibal 12.9 mi 7.4
HANNIBAL SR. HIGH Hannibal 13.0 mi 7.4
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY SCHOOL Hannibal 13.4 mi
OAKWOOD ELEM. Hannibal 13.4 mi 6.7
FRANKFORD ELEM. Frankford 17.0 mi 4.1
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Hannibal 14.4 mi 6.2
VETERANS ELEM. Hannibal 14.4 mi 7.5
LOUISIANA ELEM. Louisiana 18.6 mi 7.7
LOUISIANA MIDDLE Louisiana 19.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62345 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,750

Median Home Value

$68,700

Median Rent

$595/mo

Population

333

College Educated

16%

Homeownership

77.3%

Poverty Rate

25.7%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western JR High School has a median household income of $63,750. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $68,700, with a median rent of $595/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marshall Jr High School Marshall, IL 7.8
Medora Intermediate School Medora, IL 7.7
ST THERESE SCHOOL WEST Chicago, IL 7.7
Evergreen Academy Elem School Chicago, IL 8.0
Roanoke-Benson Jr High School Benson, IL 7.6
Amboy Jr High School Amboy, IL 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western JR High School

What grades does Western JR High School serve?

Western JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Western JR High School?

Western JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 148 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Western JR High School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Western JR High School rank in IL?

Western JR High School is ranked #496 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Western JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Western JR High School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Western JR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western JR High School has 14.5% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Western JR High School a charter school?

No, Western JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Western JR High School a Title I school?

No, Western JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western JR High School?

55.4% of students at Western JR 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (144/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pike County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Western CUSD 12
District Enrollment
532
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,669
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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