Dirksen Junior High School Joliet IL Overview Guide (2026 List)

About Dirksen Junior High School

Dirksen Junior High School is located at 203 S Midland Ave, Joliet, IL 60436. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8 as part of Joliet Public Schools District 86. Enrollment is approximately 65 students attending across the junior high program with steady year-to-year intake from surrounding neighborhoods. The campus maintains a student–teacher ratio of about 14:1, supporting consistent instruction in core academic areas. The student population is approximately 50% male and 50% female across grade levels. According to state assessment data, about 6% of students meet proficiency in math while around 7% demonstrate reading proficiency. Dirksen Junior High School operates as a traditional public junior high within a district-based feeder system connecting elementary and high school pathways. Students at Dirksen Junior High School come together from different nearby neighborhoods and continue their studies in a shared middle school setting before moving on to high school within the same district. Homes near the campus are typically priced around $172,500, with the area seeing steady real estate activity in Joliet. In broader conversations about school options across Illinois, Dirksen Junior High School occasionally appears when families compare public middle schools and look at the best middle school in Illinois as part of their research.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 6%

Reading 7%

State average proficiency is 6% in Math and 7% in Reading.

46

Full-time Teachers

14 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

655

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 9.16%

Asian 0.31%

Hispanic 62.75%

Black 23.21%

Two+ Races 4.58%

Native Am. 0%

White

9.16%

Asian

0.31%

Hispanic

62.75%

Black

23.21%

Two+ Races

4.58%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 655

49.92%

327 Female

50.08%

328 Male

Student Population

655 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 14 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

655 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Dirksen Junior High School Contact Information

Address

203 S Midland Ave, Joliet, IL, 60436

View on Map

Phone

(815) 729-1566

Call Now

Website

http://www.joliet86.org

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:00 AM - 2:50 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:45 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Dirksen Junior High School in Joliet has shared updates with families as students continue through regular school days and classroom assignments this term. In many classrooms, students are working through short tasks, taking part in discussions, and completing subject work during lessons. Teachers have also been giving time for group activities where students collaborate on simple in-class exercises. Alongside this, students are preparing for upcoming school activities and end-of-term programs happening later in the year.

FAQ

Q1. What activities are available at Dirksen Junior High School?

Ans. Dirksen Junior High School offers clubs, sports, and student activities that help students explore different interests.

Q2. How do students take part in school events at Dirksen Junior High School?

Ans. Students at Dirksen Junior High School join events, programs, and school activities held throughout the year.

Q3. Does Dirksen Junior High School support students who need extra help?

Ans. Yes, Dirksen Junior High School provides academic support and teacher guidance for students who need assistance.

Q4. What is student life like at Dirksen Junior High School?

Ans. Student life at Dirksen Junior High School includes classes, group work, and participation in school programs.

Q5. How do students at Dirksen Junior High School interact with classmates?

Ans. Students at Dirksen Junior High School work together through group activities, classroom tasks, and school events.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say