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Watseka Junior High School

Q: Is Watseka Junior High School a good school?

Watseka Junior High School ranks 431 st of 1368 Illinois middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

431^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,368 Illinois Middle Schools

Better than 68% of Illinois middle schools

Summary

Watseka Junior High School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in Watseka, Illinois, with 211 students. The school is part of the Iroquois County CUSD 9 district, which is ranked 422 out of 811 districts in Illinois and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Watseka Junior High School consistently outperforms the district and the state of Illinois in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency, with 66% proficiency in 2024-2025 compared to 56.2% for the district and 53.1% for the state. In mathematics, the school also performs better than the district but slightly below the state average, with 37.6% proficiency in 2024-2025. However, the school's science proficiency for 8th grade, at 32.4% in 2024-2025, is lower than the state average of 45.4%. The school has strong performance among Hispanic and low socioeconomic status (SES) students, ranking in the top 25-30% of Illinois middle schools for these subgroups, but struggles with special education and disabled student performance, ranking in the bottom 50-70% of Illinois middle schools for these subgroups.

Watseka Junior High School generally outperforms the nearby John L Nash Middle School and Iroquois West Middle School in both ELA and mathematics proficiency, but the smaller Cissna Park Junior High School and Donovan Junior High School, which are also within 16 miles of Watseka, have higher overall proficiency rates in both subjects. Additionally, the school has seen a steady increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 21.5% in 2022-2023 to 25.4% in 2024-2025, which could negatively impact student learning and achievement if not addressed.

202

Students ?

11.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,900

Per pupil spending ?

62.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

138 S Belmont Ave
Watseka, IL 60970-1709

(815) 432-2115

District: Iroquois County CUSD 9

Students who attend Watseka Junior High School usually attend:

High:

Watseka Community High School

Feeder schools for Watseka Junior High School:

Elementary:

Wanda Kendall Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

75.2%

Hispanic:

17.3%

Two or more races:

5.0%

See top rated Illinois middle schools

Compare Watseka Junior High School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 69th percentile in 2015 → 68th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Illinois median (68th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Science scores 13 pts below the Illinois average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school45%

District avg41%

Illinois avg46%

431^st of 1,368

Illinois public middle schools ?

Top 32%▼ down 1 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

422^nd of 811Iroquois County CUSD 9 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	64.4	431 of 1368	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.3	354 of 1363	74.0%	★★★★☆
2023	70.8	318 of 1367	76.7%	★★★★☆
2022	51.0	577 of 1369	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.3	395 of 1241	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.9	384 of 1356	71.7%	★★★★☆
2018	61.7	434 of 1293	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	66.1	370 of 1293	71.4%	★★★★☆
2016	62.0	412 of 1294	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	60.8	403 of 1302	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	60.9	517 of 1322	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	50.4	695 of 1367	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	67.6	465 of 1365	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	55.3	704 of 1344	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	56.0	688 of 1327	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	66.7	491 of 1318	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	69.7	421 of 1293	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	74.9	293 of 1287	77.2%	★★★★☆
2006	71.5	369 of 1272	71.0%	★★★★☆
2005	76.3	289 of 1209	76.1%	★★★★☆
2004	61.0	545 of 1204	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2003	70.7	370 of 1185	68.8%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	58.2	186 of 694	73.2%	★★★★☆
2024	43.6	283 of 639	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	27.4	523 of 674	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	62.9	416 of 1248	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.7	346 of 1251	72.3%	★★★★☆
2023	72.7	278 of 1275	78.2%	★★★★☆
2022	54.4	479 of 1286	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	66.7	280 of 1017	72.5%	★★★★☆
2019	64.3	409 of 1276	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.7	365 of 1226	70.2%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	55.4	260 of 669	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.8	143 of 517	72.3%	★★★★☆
2019	41.5	354 of 639	44.6%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	68.4	277 of 1229	77.5%	★★★★☆
2024	81.9	119 of 1219	90.2%	★★★★★
2023	76.0	172 of 1234	86.1%	★★★★☆
2022	54.3	453 of 1221	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.9	236 of 1019	76.8%	★★★★☆
2019	64.5	320 of 1217	73.7%	★★★★☆
2018	64.6	298 of 1161	74.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	63.0	410 of 1271	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.6	329 of 1264	74.0%	★★★★☆
2023	65.7	345 of 1292	73.3%	★★★★☆
2022	47.9	577 of 1286	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.4	478 of 1048	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.4	348 of 1296	73.1%	★★★★☆
2018	56.1	474 of 1223	61.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	38.0	442 of 812	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.3	567 of 802	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.4	730 of 805	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	26.4	767 of 781	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	33.0	363 of 548	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.5	442 of 792	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	24.6	570 of 602	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	50.1	434 of 884	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.8	388 of 875	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.7	348 of 895	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	34.6	584 of 898	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	45.3	409 of 813	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	53.6	398 of 905	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.2	473 of 889	46.8%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)77th percentile+9 vs school

Disabled (2025)73rd percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)68th percentile~ school

Female (2025)67th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)61st percentile-7 vs school

White (2025)51st percentile-18 vs school

Special Education (2025)46th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts66%+13 vs state

Mathematics38%~ state avg

Science32%-13 vs state

★

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Schools Near Watseka Junior High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)		IAR English Language Arts (2025)					IAR Mathematics (2025)					% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	ISA Science 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Watseka Junior High School	Public	6-8	138 S Belmont Ave	Watseka	60970	Iroquois County	Iroquois County CUSD 9	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 432-2115	202	18	11.2	62.9%	152 (75.2%)	4 (2.0%)	35 (17.3%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (5.0%)	64.4	431^st of 1368 public middle schools	68.5%		69.3	354^th of 1363 public middle schools	74.0%	77		32.4		72.3	64.6	61.2	66.0		33.8	40.0	38.8	37.6	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.5	$17,900	$816	$17,084
Donovan Junior High School	Public	6-8	600 North St	Donovan	60931	Iroquois County	Donovan CUSD 3	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 486-7395	54	8	6.7	57.4%	45 (83.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (13.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.7%)	91.1	102^nd of 1368 public middle schools	92.5%		75.8	274^th of 1363 public middle schools	79.9%	172		64.0		81.8	88.2	76.0	81.1		72.7	58.8	56.0	60.4	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	$21,323	$1,236	$20,087
Iroquois West Middle School	Public	6-8	303 N Evergreen St	Onarga	60955	Iroquois County	Iroquois West CUSD 10	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 268-4355	215	18	12.2	53.5%	141 (65.6%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (30.2%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.3%)	57.8	513^th of 1368 public middle schools	62.5%		57.3	494^th of 1363 public middle schools	63.8%	19		19.0		61.7	66.3	46.9	59.0		51.7	37.2	33.3	40.2	99.5	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.5	99.5	89.8	$13,133	$449	$12,685
Cissna Park Junior High School	Public	6-8	511 N 2nd St	Cissna Park	60924	Iroquois County	Cissna Park CUSD 6	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 457-2171	66	5	13.5	27.3%	58 (87.9%)	2 (3.0%)	6 (9.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	61.8	473^rd of 1368 public middle schools	65.4%		75.1	281^st of 1363 public middle schools	79.4%	192		36.4		52.0	78.9	54.5	60.6		36.0	52.6	27.3	37.9	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	$13,074	$440	$12,635
John L Nash Middle School	Public	5-8	1134 E 3100 North Rd	Clifton	60927	Iroquois County	Central CUSD 4	No	(n/a)	No	No	(815) 694-2323	278	25	11.3	41.4%	255 (91.7%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.2%)	52.5	587^th of 1368 public middle schools	57.1%		45.8	660^th of 1363 public middle schools	51.6%	73	52.4	52.2	66.7	47.5	36.5	53.6	50.6	41.3	35.0	35.1	31.9	35.7	99.6	99.6	99.6	99.6	77.6	99.3	100.0	74.0	$14,742	$438	$14,304

Frequently Asked Questions about Watseka Junior High School

What district is Watseka Junior High School in?

Iroquois County CUSD 9

What high school do graduates of Watseka Junior High School attend?

Students who attend Watseka Junior High School usually go on to attend Watseka Community High School

How many students attend Watseka Junior High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 202 students attended Watseka Junior High School.

Is Watseka Junior High School a good school?

Watseka Junior High School ranks 431^st of 1368 Illinois middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Watseka Junior High School?

Students at Watseka Junior High School are 75% White, 17% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.