Best Middle Schools in Rock Island, IL

The city of Rock Island, Illinois is home to two middle schools: Washington Junior High School and Edison Junior High School. Both schools serve students in grades 7-8 and face significant challenges, with academic performance well below state averages in core subjects like English, math, and science.

While Washington Junior High School has a more diverse student population, with 37% White, 27% African American, and 23% Hispanic students, Edison Junior High School has a higher percentage of African American (35%) and Asian (10%) students. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at both schools, with Edison Junior High School reporting a rate of 43% compared to 37% at Washington Junior High School. In terms of resources, Washington Junior High School has a lower student-teacher ratio and spends more per student than Edison Junior High School.

The data suggests that the middle schools in Rock Island, Illinois, serve communities with significant socioeconomic challenges, as evidenced by the high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients at both schools. Addressing the low academic performance, high chronic absenteeism, and equitable resource allocation will likely require a collaborative effort between the Rock Island School District 41, community stakeholders, and policymakers to ensure all students in the area have access to a quality education.