For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public middle schools serving 2,187 students in Whiteside County, IL.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Whiteside County, IL are Plt Middle School, Rock Falls Middle School and Erie Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Whiteside County, IL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 29% statewide average). Middle schools in Whiteside County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Whiteside County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Plt Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
38 Ferry St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Gr: 6-8 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Rock Falls Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 12th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Gr: 6-8 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
Erie Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 5th Ave
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Erie, IL 61250
(309) 659-2239
Gr: 5-8 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Montmorency Ccsd #145
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9415 Hoover Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-6616
Gr: K-8 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
415 12th St
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2611
Fulton, IL 61252
(815) 589-2611
Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Morrison Jr High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 Academic Dr
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-7264
Morrison, IL 61270
(815) 772-7264
Gr: 6-8 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #77.
East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1602 Dixon Rd
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-4400
Gr: PK-8 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #88.
Regional Center For Change Alop
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #99.
Challand Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1700 6th Ave
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 626-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 726 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1010.
Thome Educational School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-1026
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-1026
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Regional Center For Change
Alternative School
500 E 5th St
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 564-2032
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Roe 47 Student Support Alop
Alternative School
2214 E 4th St Ste B
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1495
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-1495
Gr: 4-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Whiteside County, IL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Whiteside County, IL include Plt Middle School, Rock Falls Middle School and Erie Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Whiteside County?
11 public middle schools are located in Whiteside County.
What is the racial composition of students in Whiteside County?
Whiteside County public middle schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Whiteside County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Whiteside County include: Rock Falls Middle School vs. Challand Middle School, Montmorency Ccsd #145 vs. East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School, East Coloma - Nelson Elementary School vs. Montmorency Ccsd #145
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
