The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in English language arts. The lowest is 32% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bement Middle School
Bement Middle School serves grades six through eight in a small rural village in Piatt County. The school is part of Bement CUSD 5 and sits in a community that has maintained steady population for decades, with a compact town center along the Norfolk Southern railroad and a working factory as its primary in-town employer.
The school's current enrollment is modest, with roughly equal distribution across the three grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a very small share identifying as Hispanic or multiracial. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility was not available, nor was information on special education enrollment, English learner population, or other demographic detail beyond race-ethnicity.
Test results on Illinois state assessments show a mixed picture across subjects and grades. In English language arts, performance is strongest in sixth grade, where the majority of students met proficiency standards, and remains above the midpoint in seventh and eighth grades. Mathematics proficiency is considerably lower, declining as students move through the grade band. By eighth grade, fewer than one-third of students met state standards in math. Science proficiency in eighth grade, the only grade where that assessment is administered, also falls below one-third. Testing participation was complete or near-complete across all reported grades and subjects.
When compared to the other districts in Piatt County, Bement Middle School's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it above the midpoint, meaning its combined performance exceeds the county median despite the lower numbers in math and science. The school's graduation rate cannot be reported because it serves only middle grades. Chronic absenteeism data was not available.
The district has recently undertaken a substantial facilities project, breaking ground on a connector between classrooms and the gymnasium and industrial tech buildings. The addition, expected to be completed in the coming months, will allow students to travel indoors between classes and adds air conditioning to the gymnasium so it can serve as a community cooling and warming center. The project was partially funded by a legacy gift from an alumnus, reflecting ties between the school and its home community.
A parent considering Bement Middle School should weigh the lower proficiency numbers in mathematics and science against the stronger English language arts results. The school's position above the county median in overall proficiency suggests performance that is solid within its immediate regional context, though the sharp decline in math proficiency across grade levels may warrant discussion with the school about support strategies. The modest enrollment size creates a smaller peer environment than larger districts offer. Housing in the Bement area remains affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, reflecting the rural character of the community.
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