Jennings County Middle School

Jennings County Middle School is a public middle school located in North Vernon, Indiana, serving 620 students in grades 7-8. The school is part of the Jennings County School Corporation, which is ranked 170 out of 380 school districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

While Jennings County Middle School has seen an increase in spending per student, from $10,977 in 2020-2021 to $13,150 in 2023-2024, the school faces several challenges. Its chronic absenteeism rates have been high, ranging from 17.8% to 29.8% over the past few years, significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, the school's test scores in ILEARN English Language Arts and Math are consistently below the state averages, with only around 30% of students proficient or better in these subjects. Jennings County Middle School also has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 55.35% to 63.39% over the past few years, indicating a relatively high proportion of students from low-income families.

When comparing Jennings County Middle School to nearby schools, some interesting differences emerge. Austin Middle School has lower test scores and a higher chronic absenteeism rate than Jennings County Middle School, while Seymour Intermediate and Seymour Middle Schools have higher test scores and lower chronic absenteeism rates. The nearby schools also have lower percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which could contribute to their relatively stronger academic performance. Addressing the challenges faced by Jennings County Middle School, such as improving student engagement, academic performance, and support for disadvantaged students, could be crucial for enhancing the educational outcomes for the students.