At a glance
Reported students
653
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
46.25
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois middle enrollment
76th percentile
Compared with 703 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
389.5
Dirksen Junior High School: 653 reported students.
State peer staffing position
75th percentile
14.1:1 reported; state peer median 12.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 621
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.2:1
What the reported data says about Dirksen Junior High School
Dirksen Junior High School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Joliet. It is one of 22 current school records connected to Joliet PSD 86. NCES reports 653 students for 2024–25.
Among 703 middle schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 413 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 76th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.1:1, above the Illinois median of 12.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (65.2%) and Black (22.2%). English learners represent 21.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.8%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Dirksen Junior High School
- 1How do the reported 14.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 46.25 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 21.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.8%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 98.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White8.4%
- Hispanic65.2%
- Black22.2%
- Asian0.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.8%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Joliet PSD 86
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Gompers Junior High School
Middle · Grades 06–08
615 reported students
Washington Jr High & Academy Prgm
Middle · Grades 06–08
724 reported students
Hufford Junior High School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,072 reported students
Will Co Detention Center 6-8
Middle · Grades 06–08
0 reported students
Sator Sanchez Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
635 reported students
Pershing Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
621 reported students