The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in Science. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Jr High School
Lincoln Jr High School serves grades six through eight in La Salle, a small city in north-central Illinois where I-39 and I-80 intersect. The school is part of La Salle ESD 122, a regular public school with a student body of roughly mid-size for its grade band. Enrollment is distributed across the three grades, with roughly equal numbers in each.
The school's student population is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic enrollment and smaller shares of Black, multiracial, and Asian students. Specific counts for students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, those with Individualized Education Programs, or English learners were not available in the data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and what support services are in place.
State assessment results from the most recent year show a consistent and notable challenge in mathematics across all tested grades. Sixth-grade math proficiency sits in the low teens, and seventh and eighth grades each show single-digit proficiency rates. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile compared to other districts in LaSalle County. English language arts proficiency is somewhat higher: sixth grade shows roughly a third of students proficient, while seventh and eighth grades show proficiency in the low-to-mid twenties. Science results are available only for eighth grade, where proficiency is in the upper thirties. Test participation rates across subjects and grades are consistently strong, above ninety-five percent.
The state recently changed the cut scores for these assessments, which can affect comparability to prior years, so historical trend data was not available. This means a parent cannot yet see whether these results represent a change for the school or reflect longer-running performance patterns. The school's math proficiency is a soft spot worth discussing directly with staff, especially if a student is considering high school math pathways.
La Salle itself is a historic small city with a compact downtown anchored by the I&M Canal Visitor Center, local restaurants and shops in century-old buildings, and civic spaces like Pulaski Park. The city's population has remained roughly stable in recent years. Housing stock ranges from starter homes to historic estates, and the area is marketed to first-time buyers and families. Home values have shown modest appreciation and remain below both state and national benchmarks, making it an affordable market. The nearest college is Illinois Valley Community College in adjacent Oglesby, which offers two-year degree options.
Lincoln Jr High's location on Saint Vincents Avenue places it in one of the city's older residential wards. The school serves the middle grades at a time when academic engagement and math skills become foundational for high school success. Given the proficiency data, a parent should have a direct conversation with the school about its instructional approach to mathematics, what interventions or support exist for students below grade level, and what a student can expect in terms of pace and remediation heading into high school.
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