The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Trico Jr High School
Trico Jr High School serves students in grades six through eight in Campbell Hill, a very small rural village in Jackson County, with enrollment of about a few dozen students per grade. The school sits on a rural campus along Highway 4 in a deeply rural setting, and is part of the Trico Community Unit School District, which operates as the main institutional presence in the village.
On state assessments, Trico Jr High shows a mixed profile. English language arts results are stronger: sixth grade shows proficiency near the middle of the range, seventh grade is above that, and eighth grade reaches about two-thirds proficiency. Mathematics performance is substantially lower across the board. Sixth grade math proficiency is under one-third, seventh grade drops further to under one-fifth, and eighth grade recovers slightly but remains under one-third. Science results for eighth grade are in the range of proficiency, while fifth-grade science data were not reported (likely because grade five is not served at this school). Math appears to be a real soft spot, and a parent considering this school may want to ask the district directly about supports or interventions being deployed in that subject.
The school's student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic students and very small counts of Black and multiracial students. Free-and-reduced-price-lunch rates and special education enrollment counts were not available in the data.
When placed against other districts in Jackson County, Trico Jr High's overall proficiency index sits above the median, which reflects the stronger performance in English language arts and science offsetting the weaker math results. A graduation rate was not applicable since this school serves only middle grades.
The broader setting shapes what families experience. Campbell Hill has a stable but small population, with little visible commercial activity or development. The village itself is small enough to cover just about half a square mile. The school district, including both this junior high and the elementary and senior high schools it operates, is likely the largest single employer in the area. For residents seeking more substantial commercial or employment centers, Murphysboro and Carbondale are regional anchors further afield.
At the district level, two recent changes affect the school environment. Trico became a Full-Service Community Schools grantee, bringing federal funding for wrap-around supports such as academic help, mental health services, and nutrition programs. That grant faced disruption in late 2025 but was partially restored through a court-confirmed deal in early 2026; funding stability remains a watch item for families. Additionally, a mobile health clinic now operates on the Trico campus multiple times per week, providing students routine healthcare access during the school day, a concrete service for families in a rural area where travel to outside care requires planning.
Housing costs in the area are moderate relative to state and national benchmarks, reflecting the rural character. Mortgages at current rates run to roughly mid-range affordability for the region.
Trico Jr High is a small, rural middle school with real strength in literacy and science but notable weakness in mathematics. It sits in an intentionally sparse village setting where the school district itself is the dominant civic institution, and recent district investments in student health and support services reflect a commitment to addressing rural constraints. For families rooted in or choosing rural Campbell Hill, this is the school; for those weighing middle-school options more broadly, the math performance gap warrants direct conversation with the school about remediation and support.
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