The top reported proficiency rate is 91% in Math. The lowest is 64% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Attendance Center
Jefferson Attendance Center is a small public elementary school serving second and third grade in Carmi, Illinois, a rural county-seat town in southeastern Illinois along the Little Wabash River. The school sits just off Main Street on the west side of town, a short distance from Carmi's historic downtown core.
The school has a modest enrollment, with the student body split nearly evenly between second and third grades. The student population is predominantly white, with a small number of students identifying as multiracial or from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Data on free and reduced-price lunch eligibility and special populations such as students with disabilities or English learners were not available.
On the most recent state assessment results, third-grade students showed notably different performance in math and English language arts. In math, proficiency was strong, with most third graders meeting or exceeding state standards. In English language arts, proficiency was lower, with roughly two-thirds of third graders reaching the proficiency threshold. These results reflect the kind of uneven skill development common in early elementary grades, where foundational reading skills are still consolidating. Parents may want to look into how the school approaches literacy instruction if reading support is a concern.
State testing data for fourth through eighth grades was not available because Jefferson Attendance Center does not serve those grades; the school's role is limited to early elementary instruction. Within the scope of schools tested in White County, Jefferson's overall proficiency index sits in the top quartile, a strength that reflects the strong math performance in grade three.
A graduation rate, discipline data, attendance records, course offerings, and staffing information were not available, as these metrics either do not apply to an elementary school serving only grades two and three or were not reported in the available data.
Carmi itself is a car-oriented rural town of modest size where civic life centers on Main Street, home to local shops, government offices, the Ratcliff Inn Museum, and several restaurants. Housing is mostly modest single-family homes at prices well below state and national benchmarks, making homeownership relatively affordable for the region. The town's economy rests on county government, school services, healthcare, and agricultural-related trade. The Carmi-White County School District has reduced its property tax rate substantially over recent years, though in December 2025 the board approved a tax levy increase after a period of declines, citing flat or reduced state and federal funding expectations going forward. The district uses a portion of local sales tax revenue to abate school bond obligations, reducing the bond portion of residents' property tax bills.
See more original research from School Decision →