Top Rankings
Joliet PSD 86 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public middle schools serving 3,064 students in Joliet PSD 86 School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Illinois.
Public Middle Schools in Joliet PSD 86 School District have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 13% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
22 Schools
1,606 Schools
# Students
9,333 Students
622,256 Students
# Teachers
660 Teachers
48,565 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Joliet PSD 86 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 861 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#783 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
10%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
50%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)32.5%
29.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
71%
31%
% Black
18%
21%
% White
7%
39%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $28,134 is higher than the state median of $25,132. The school district revenue/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $25,157 is higher than the state median of $24,168. The school district spending/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$263 MM
$46,284 MM
Spending
$235 MM
$44,509 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,134
$25,132
Spending / Student
$25,157
$24,168
Best Joliet PSD 86 School District Public Middle Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Washington Jr High & Academy Prgm
(Math: 18% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
402 Richards St
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 727-5271
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 727-5271
Gr: 6-8 | 724 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
Hufford Junior High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1125 N Larkin Ave
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 725-3540
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 725-3540
Gr: 6-8 | 1,072 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
Thompson Instructional Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1020 Rowell Ave
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 740-5458
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 740-5458
Gr: K-8
Rank: #44.
Gompers Junior High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1501 Copperfield Ave
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-5276
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-5276
Gr: 6-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #55.
Dirksen Junior High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 7%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
203 S Midland Ave
Joliet, IL 60436
(815) 729-1566
Joliet, IL 60436
(815) 729-1566
Gr: 6-8 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Will Co Detention Center 6-8
Alternative School
3200 Mcdonough St
Joliet, IL 60431
(815) 730-7233
Joliet, IL 60431
(815) 730-7233
Gr: 6-8
Recent Articles
School Leadership Matters: Evaluating a Principal
Learn how to evaluate a public school principal before enrolling by examining leadership stability, teacher support, communication, school culture, instructional priorities, discipline, family engagement, and measurable improvement efforts.
Comparing Before- and After-School Programs
Learn how to compare before- and after-school programs when choosing a public school, including hours, costs, staffing, safety, activities, enrollment rules, transportation, meals, and daily convenience for families.
Choosing a Public School During Budget Uncertainty
Learn which questions parents should ask when choosing a public school during budget uncertainty, including staffing, programs, class sizes, transportation, reserves, enrollment trends, and planned reductions ahead.
