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
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Western JR High School — Students at Western JR High School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Western JR High School Compares
See how Western JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (217) 432-8324
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Western CUSD 12- District Enrollment
- 532
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,669
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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