The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Matherville Intermediate School
Matherville Intermediate School serves fifth and sixth grades in a small, predominantly residential village in northeastern Mercer County. The school is part of Sherrard CUSD 200, a rural district spread across several towns. Matherville Intermediate sits on the edge of the village itself; students from the area also attend Sherrard Elementary or Winola Elementary for earlier grades, then feed into Sherrard Junior/Senior High School several miles north.
The school's student body is small, with an enrollment split roughly evenly between the two grades. The population is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic community making up a modest share of enrollment. Demographic data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and special populations such as English learners and students with IEPs are not available, so a parent would want to contact the school directly to understand what support services are in place.
State test results show a clear division between English language arts and mathematics. In both fifth and sixth grade, English language arts proficiency rates are in the mid-range, with about half of students meeting or exceeding state standards. Mathematics tells a different story: in fifth grade, fewer than one-third of students met proficiency, and in sixth grade that rate dropped further to roughly one-quarter. Science proficiency, tested only in fifth grade, was also below half. These results suggest students leave the intermediate grades with gaps in quantitative reasoning that may require attention in high school. The school achieved full participation rates on all tested assessments, indicating consistent test administration rather than systematic opt-out.
The broader district context includes recent capital investment. Sherrard Elementary completed a major addition in 2023 with new dedicated spaces for art, music, and therapy—the district's first large construction project in decades. The district has also carried out roof replacements, new windows at Matherville Intermediate, and HVAC work at other buildings. At the same time, the district maintains one of the lowest property-tax levies in the region, a consideration for homeowners. A three-year labor agreement ratified in 2024 runs through the 2026-27 school year, providing staffing stability.
Matherville itself is a quiet, owner-occupied village on a hillside in a gradually declining region. The local economy remains tied to agriculture and commuting to the Quad Cities, just a short drive north. The village is compact and sparse rather than walkable in the traditional sense, though residents note its scenic park and small-town character. There are no major new housing developments; the broader community has experienced modest population loss over the past several years. Major recent infrastructure changes include a planned fiber-optic internet build-out and water meter upgrades.
Compared with other districts in Mercer County, Matherville Intermediate's overall proficiency index falls above the midpoint, though still modest in absolute terms. The school operates as a regular public school within a stable, rural district. For a family considering this intermediate school, the profile is one of a small-town setting with real academic work needed in mathematics, especially at the sixth-grade level, situated within a district that has made intentional facility improvements and kept tax burden modest.
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