For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 2,246 students in Jackson County, IL.
The top ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, IL are Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Elverado Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, IL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 29% statewide average). Middle schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Middle Schools in Jackson County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Giant City Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1062 Boskydell Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Grades: PK-8
| 242 students
Rank: #22.
Unity Point Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4033 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Carbondale, IL 62903
(618) 529-4151
Grades: PK-8
| 660 students
Rank: #33.
Elverado Junior High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
190 Harrison St
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Vergennes, IL 62994
(618) 684-3527
Grades: 6-8
| 69 students
Rank: #44.
Desoto Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
311 Hurst Rd
De Soto, IL 62924
(618) 867-2317
De Soto, IL 62924
(618) 867-2317
Grades: PK-8
| 192 students
Rank: #55.
Trico Jr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16533 Highway 4
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Campbell Hill, IL 62916
(618) 426-1111
Grades: 6-8
| 183 students
Rank: #66.
Carbondale Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1150 E Grand Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-2174
Grades: 6-8
| 468 students
Rank: #77.
Murphysboro Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2125 Spruce St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3041
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-3041
Grades: 6-8
| 432 students
Rank: n/an/a
Cope Alternative School
Alternative School
1725b Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Five County Regional Alternative
Alternative School
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Jackson/perry Middle School Taoep
Alternative School
1725b Shomaker Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7290
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Tcse Aspire Academy
Special Education School
805 N 16th St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-2109
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-2109
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Jackson County ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Iyc Murphysboro High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
636 Elza Brantley Dr
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8500
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8500
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
593 Ava Road
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-6273
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-6273
Grades: K-5
| 161 students
504 2nd St
Grand Tower, IL 62942
(618) 565-2211
Grand Tower, IL 62942
(618) 565-2211
Grades: K-4
| 56 students
Tri-county-mcelvain (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
593 Ava Rd
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8972
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 684-8972
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
801 S Lewis Ln
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-5393
Grades: 4-5
| 272 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, IL?
The top ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, IL include Giant City Elementary School, Unity Point Elementary School and Elverado Junior High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Jackson County?
11 public middle schools are located in Jackson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public middle schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Jackson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Jackson County include: Unity Point Elementary School vs. Giant City Elementary School, Giant City Elementary School vs. Unity Point Elementary School, Carbondale Middle School vs. Giant City Elementary School
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