The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 25% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on La Moille Jr/sr High School
La Moille Jr/Sr High School is a small combined middle and high school serving grades seven through twelve in a rural village in Bureau County, Illinois. With an enrollment of about 84 students spread across the two bands, the school operates as the academic and civic anchor of a quiet, agricultural community where most families own their homes and work either locally or in surrounding areas.
The state assessment picture is mixed. In seventh and eighth grade, the school reports results in English language arts, mathematics, and science. Seventh-grade English shows proficiency at the midpoint, while seventh-grade math falls below that. Eighth grade is weaker: math proficiency is quite low, and both English and science proficiency sit at modest levels. The school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it below the midpoint relative to other districts in Bureau County, a positioning that reflects genuine academic headwinds worth taking seriously if college preparation or strong test performance matters to your family. The school received mixed participation rates in testing; eighth-grade participation was complete, while seventh-grade rates were slightly lower.
State testing data for grades three through six are not reported, which reflects the fact that elementary-only grades are housed elsewhere in the district. No graduation rate or four-year attainment data appear for this school, and chronic absenteeism figures are not available in the public record.
Demographically, the student body is predominantly white, with a small representation of Hispanic and Black students. Specific counts for free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility, English learners, and students with individualized education plans are not public; a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of economic need and special-population support in the student community.
The larger context deserves careful attention. In March 2026, voters approved a non-binding referendum supporting the potential deactivation of La Moille High School, signaling that the district is exploring tuition or enrollment agreements with larger neighboring districts to serve grades nine through twelve. If binding action follows, the earliest change would come in fall 2027, which would mean current high school students would finish at La Moille, but incoming freshmen would attend a neighboring district. Neighboring high schools such as Mendota, Amboy, LaSalle-Peru, Hall, and Ohio are larger, with corresponding breadth in clubs, athletics, and course offerings. This potential shift is a fundamental variable for any family considering the school or the village.
La Moille itself is a settled, aging small community of mostly single-family homes built before the 1960s, with a short historic downtown along Main Street. The village had a flat to slightly declining population in recent decades and shows little new residential development. The school building sits on South Main Street, integrated into the village fabric rather than set apart. Housing values have appreciated modestly in recent years, and the area offers a low-cost-of-living, low-traffic rural environment that appeals to families seeking affordable, quiet surroundings. However, daily errands require a vehicle, and job opportunities are local and limited. The nearest community college is roughly 20 miles away.
For a family weighing this school, the key questions center on academic fit. The proficiency results in middle grades suggest students here are not tracking at strong levels relative to county peers. The impending high school question is also decisive: some families embrace the community feel of a small school and may not object to a change in location; others prioritize staying in place through graduation or access to a full range of high school programs. A parent should ask the school about current support systems, remediation strategies, and the timeline and status of any consolidation planning. The school offers what rural communities provide: a small, familiar environment and deep connections, balanced against the academic and program limitations that come with limited enrollment and resources.
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