The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on J L Buford Intermediate Ed Ctr
J L Buford Intermediate Education Center is the sole intermediate school in Mount Vernon SD 80, serving grades four and five in a small city in southern Illinois at the crossroads of Interstates 57 and 64. The school enrols a student population of roughly that size typical for an upper-elementary center in a county seat, with representation across racial and ethnic groups: a plurality of White students, a substantial share of Black students, and smaller populations of Hispanic, multiracial, Asian, and Native American students.
The school's academic performance reflects challenges that a parent should examine carefully. On state testing in 2024-25, fourth-grade proficiency in English language arts ran below one-third of students; math proficiency was even lower, at roughly one-quarter. Fifth-grade reading improved modestly, but math dropped substantially, with only about one-eighth of students meeting proficiency. Science proficiency in fifth grade was also low, at one-quarter. The school has not reported results for grades three or six through eight, which likely reflects that the school's primary enrollment sits in grades four and five, as the directory indicates. All students tested participated fully in the assessment, so these are complete pictures of performance in those grades.
Positioned against other districts in Jefferson County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects falls below the midpoint. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what interventions are in place and what the learning trajectory looks like.
The school sits in Mount Vernon, a small county-seat city with a mix of traditional downtown commerce, residential neighborhoods, and a strong industrial and distribution base anchored by Continental Tire, the Walgreens distribution center, and SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital. The city's population has declined gradually over recent years, and civic investment has shifted toward downtown revitalization, community greenspace, and infill housing. A community revitalization plan is underway with plans for new senior housing. The broader region offers parks, Rend Lake for recreation, and a public library system, though the city is car-oriented with limited fixed-route transit.
Housing in the Mount Vernon area is more affordable than state and national benchmarks, with median home values and rental costs notably below those in Illinois and the nation overall. This affordability may appeal to families seeking to live in a small industrial city, though the school's academic performance numbers warrant direct conversation with the school before enrollment.
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