The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Central Jr High School
Central Jr High School is a public middle school serving grades six through eight in East Peoria, a small suburb on the Illinois River across from downtown Peoria. The school enrolls a modest cohort of students drawn mostly from the surrounding community, with the enrollment split fairly evenly across the three grades.
The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multiracial students. Demographic data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and English learner or special education enrollment was not available. The school sits in a residential area on Taylor Street in East Peoria's established neighborhoods, a car-dependent suburb centered on commercial corridors and mixed-use development around the riverfront Levee District.
Academic performance reflects a school where proficiency varies significantly by grade and subject. In English language arts, sixth grade shows stronger proficiency in the mid-range, while seventh grade dips noticeably lower and eighth grade recovers somewhat. Math proficiency is considerably lower across all three grades. Eighth-grade science proficiency sits around the midpoint. When these proficiency rates are averaged across tested grades and subjects, Central Jr High's overall proficiency index places the school below the midpoint among districts in Tazewell County, meaning its academic standing trails the typical performance of comparable schools in the county. Testing participation rates are very high, suggesting consistent access to assessments.
A parent may want to look into the math results further with the school to understand whether specific instructional shifts or supports are underway, and to ask what resources exist for students working below grade level. State-level proficiency data sometimes masks student growth or the depth of support students receive, and the school would be the best source for those details.
The district itself has made one concrete, lasting move that affects families directly: in late 2024, East Peoria SD 86 held its property tax levy flat while Tazewell County property assessments rose, which is expected to effectively lower the school-district portion of homeowners' property tax bills going forward. Since Illinois school districts represent the largest share of a typical property tax bill, this decision carries real financial weight for any family considering a move into the district.
East Peoria as a community is in active transition. The city has spent decades redeveloping former Caterpillar manufacturing sites into the Levee District, a commercial and entertainment zone that now anchors the downtown with City Hall, a new library that opened in late 2024, retail, and hospitality. Major employment centers include Caterpillar, healthcare systems anchored by OSF HealthCare, the Par-A-Dice riverfront casino, and Illinois Central College. The housing market is active; home values have appreciated sharply over the past year and median listing prices have risen considerably, though the county remains more affordable than state and national benchmarks. New multifamily housing is concentrated in the Levee District and along Centennial Drive on the north side, while single-family construction has been comparatively light. The city explicitly prioritizes walkable mixed-use neighborhoods, though East Peoria overall scores low for walkability and remains oriented toward driving. Publicly reported sources indicate a push to add residential density near retail and dining.
Central Jr High operates within a school system that, while not flush with resources, has at least stabilized its tax burden on property owners during a period of rising valuations. For a family weighing the school, the academic numbers deserve direct conversation with the school community; the broader East Peoria landscape is one of modest affordability, active commercial and residential growth, and a car-dependent suburban setting that sits a short distance from Peoria's urban anchors.
See more original research from School Decision →