Central Intermediate Sch, Washington IL

Original Research by School Decision on Central Intermediate Sch

Central Intermediate School serves grades five through eight in Washington, a residential Peoria suburb within Tazewell County. The school enrolls roughly six hundred students, predominantly white, with smaller populations of Hispanic, multiracial, Asian, and Black students. Free-and-reduced-price lunch data were not available from the state.

State testing results from the most recent year show a school performing above the midpoint among county districts overall. In English language arts, proficiency rates climb from grade five through six—reaching a notably strong level by sixth grade—then decline slightly in seventh and eighth grade, though remain solid at both levels. Math proficiency hovers in the mid-range across grades five through six, dips in the sixth grade, then improves in grades seven and eight. Science results, available for fifth and eighth grades only, show proficiency in the mid-to-high range. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile within Tazewell County's districts. Test participation rates are consistently high, above ninety-nine percent in most grades.

The pattern suggests particular strength in language arts instruction, especially in the early middle grades, with math performance that is steady rather than exceptional. The variation across grades is typical for a multi-grade intermediate school and does not suggest systemic weakness in any subject. A parent seeking a school with strong English language arts instruction would find encouraging signs here; those prioritizing advanced math acceleration or specialized STEM pathways may want to look further into what the school offers beyond the core curriculum.

The school is part of Central School District 51, a district serving Washington. No major curricular or operational changes within the past four years were found in available sources, suggesting stable, routine operations. The district maintains K-8 STEM and Art programming across its schools.

Washington itself is a family-oriented suburban community with a historic downtown square that remains an active retail and office district, though civic services and schools operate on separate campuses connected by a recreation trail system. The housing market has been active; median home values in the zip code have risen over the past year, and median listing prices have increased notably. The town experienced a major tornado in late 2022 that destroyed or damaged many homes; subsequent rebuilding has produced substantial new residential construction in affected neighborhoods. This recovery, combined with long-term suburban growth trends, means the community is in active transition, with new families moving in alongside established residents.

For a family seeking a mid-size intermediate school in a suburban setting with solid all-around academics and particular strength in language arts, Central Intermediate offers a stable, above-average choice. The school's performance does not suggest either elite standing or areas of serious concern; it represents competent instruction across tested subjects, with English language arts as a relative strength. Families should consider asking the school directly about math support and acceleration options, as well as what enrichment or special-interest courses are available beyond the standard curriculum.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 555%

School 55% · District 55%

▲ 25 pts above state median · ▲ 20 pts above county median

Grade 653%

School 53% · District 53%

▲ 29 pts above state median · ▲ 27 pts above county median

Grade 764%

School 64% · District 64%

▲ 35 pts above state median · ▲ 31 pts above county median

Grade 860%

School 60% · District 60%

▲ 37 pts above state median · ▲ 34 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 583%

School 83% · District 83%

▲ 31 pts above state median · ▲ 21 pts above county median

Grade 690%

School 90% · District 90%

▲ 40 pts above state median · ▲ 30 pts above county median

Grade 778%

School 78% · District 78%

▲ 27 pts above state median · ▲ 25 pts above county median

Grade 875%

School 75% · District 75%

▲ 22 pts above state median · ▲ 23 pts above county median

Science

Grade 568%

School 68% · District 68%

▲ 31 pts above state median · ▲ 15 pts above county median

Grade 874%

School 74% · District 74%

▲ 34 pts above state median · ▲ 27 pts above county median

This schoolCentral SD 51, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 4Lower-income67%Higher-income71%5 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 4Lower-income56%Higher-income73%18 pp gap