The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Frankfort Intermediate School
Frankfort Intermediate School serves grades three through six in West Frankfort, a small former coal-mining city in southern Illinois. The school sits within a district that has faced long-term population decline, though the district continues to make infrastructure investments and maintain stable staffing through recent multi-year teacher contracts.
The school's recent test results show uneven performance across grades and subjects. In English language arts, results range from weaker in the lower grades (a minority of third-graders met proficiency) to above half of sixth-graders achieving proficiency. In math, the pattern is notably different: third-grade proficiency is slightly stronger than in ELA, but proficiency drops considerably by fourth and fifth grades, and is particularly low in sixth grade. Science testing in fifth grade shows about a third of students proficient. The school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among districts in Franklin County, though parents examining these numbers will notice the sharp decline in math performance as students move through the intermediate grades, particularly the sharp drop by sixth grade. This trajectory warrants conversation with the school about curriculum continuity, support strategies, and transitions to middle school.
The school draws from a community of roughly a few hundred families per grade. The student population is predominantly white, with a small number of Black and Hispanic students and those identifying with multiple races. Enrollment numbers in the school appear stable, with each grade holding around a hundred students. Data on free and reduced lunch eligibility, English learner status, and special education enrollment were not reported.
West Frankfort itself is a sparse suburban town where most residents own their homes and many are retirees. The town's identity remains tied to its coal-mining heritage, though that industry is long gone. Housing values have softened in recent years and remain below state and national benchmarks. The town's commercial spine runs along Main Street with local shops, and residents drive south to Marion for larger retailers. Civic anchors include the public library, several parks, and historical sites. The nearest hospital is about eight miles north in Benton. The regional public transit system provides bus and demand-response service across a six-county area.
The district itself has undergone recent changes. A property tax increase for the 2025 levy (payable 2026) represents a moderate rise in household tax obligations. The district approved a new three-year teacher contract with step increases, signaling staffing stability. Using bond funds, the district has completed roof replacement at the high school and moved to address roofs at Denning Elementary and part of Frankfort Intermediate in 2024, showing continued investment in facility condition.
Parents considering this school should look into the math performance decline by grade level and ask the school directly about how it addresses that pattern. The school's position above the midpoint countywide and its stable enrollment provide some grounding, but the softer performance in math for older students is a characteristic worth exploring further.
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