The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in Social studies. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Frankfort Middle School
Frankfort Middle School serves grades six through eight in the Community Schools of Frankfort district, a regular public school located on the north side of the city. The school is the sole middle school for the district, drawing students from across Frankfort, the county seat of Clinton County. Frankfort itself is a small Midwestern city with a walkable historic downtown centered on a courthouse square, a significant manufacturing base, and a large Hispanic and Latino population. The city’s population has been relatively stable in recent years, with modest growth and a slight recent decline, and the housing market reflects a typical small-city profile with home values below the state average.
The student body is diverse. A little over half of the students identify as Hispanic, with most of the remainder identifying as White, and small shares of students who are Asian, Black, or of two or more races. Nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is very high and signals a student population with widespread economic need. The school is a regular public school and is not a charter or magnet.
On the state’s ILEARN assessments, which are given in grades three through eight, Frankfort Middle School’s results place it below the midpoint among the four districts in Clinton County when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, roughly a third of students met that bar. In science, about three in ten students were proficient. These are the most recent results available, and they show a school where a majority of students are not yet reaching the state’s proficiency benchmarks. A parent considering this school may want to ask about the specific academic interventions and supports the school provides, particularly in math and reading, given that the majority of students are scoring below the proficient threshold.
The school’s enrollment is sizable for a middle school, with a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and White. Nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that reflects the economic circumstances of the community. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source materials, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how it serves those populations.
Frankfort itself is a stable, modestly growing community with a historic downtown, a manufacturing and industrial base, and a significant healthcare employer in IU Health Frankfort Hospital. The city’s housing market is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks. The district brief did not identify any recent major changes, such as boundary shifts, program overhauls, or leadership transitions, that would alter the school’s trajectory in the near term.
The school’s academic profile is its most defining feature. Proficiency rates across math, English, and science are below the midpoint of the county’s four districts. For a family weighing this school, the central question is whether the school’s academic supports and instructional approach match their child’s needs. The school is a large, economically diverse middle school in a stable community, but the test results suggest that a significant share of students are working below grade-level expectations. A parent may want to learn more about the school’s approach to intervention, its curriculum, and how it supports students who are not yet proficient.
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