Best Middle Schools in Illinois (2025-26)

Ranked middle schools

613

Listed, not ranked

Every ranked middle school in Illinois, ordered by SchoolGrade. A grade rewards actual test performance against the projection for each school's student context, so a B in a high-poverty school can outrank an A- elsewhere on impact. Click a column heading to sort, or filter by school, city or district.

Illinois rankings: High Schools · Middle Schools · Elementary Schools

Illinois middle schools ranked, 501 to 613 of 613

Rank	Grade	School	City	District	Actual	Projected	Impact	Students
#501	D	Franklin Middle School	Champaign	Champaign CUSD 4	28%	19%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	677
#502	D	Hardin County JR High School	Elizabethtown	Hardin County CUSD 1	28%	16%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	139
#503	D	Liberty Junior High School	Burbank	Burbank SD 111	28%	22%	Underperforms Expectations	1,190
#504	D	Madero Middle School	Chicago	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299	28%	9%	Meets Expectations	253
#505	D	Northlake Middle School	Northlake	Berkeley SD 87	28%	10%	Meets Expectations	379
#506	D	A C Central Middle School	Ashland	A-C Central CUSD 262	27%	19%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	84
#507	D	Field Elem School	Chicago	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299	27%	14%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	155
#508	D	John Deere Middle School	Moline	Moline-Coal Valley CUSD 40	27%	17%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	755
#509	D	Liberty Leadership Middle School	Peoria	Peoria SD 150	27%	15%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	268
#510	D	Memorial JR High School	Lansing	Lansing SD 158	27%	16%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	860
#511	D	Pontiac JR High School	Pontiac	Pontiac CCSD 429	27%	18%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	340
#512	D	Stanton School	Fox Lake	Fox Lake GSD 114	27%	14%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	290
#513	D	West Central Middle School	Stronghurst	West Central CUSD 235	27%	18%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	184
#514	D	Coulterville Junior High School	Coulterville	Coulterville USD 1	26%	25%	Underperforms Expectations	60
#515	D	Glenview Middle School	East Moline	East Moline SD 37	26%	16%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,150
#516	D	North Mac Middle School	Girard	North Mac CUSD 34	26%	22%	Underperforms Expectations	234
#517	D	Schuyler Industry Middle School	Rushville	Schuyler-Industry CUSD 5	26%	17%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	272
#518	D	Washington Middle School	Lyons	Lyons SD 103	26%	13%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	688
#519	D-	Chicago Heights Middle School	Chicago Hts	Chicago Heights SD 170	25%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	940
#520	D-	Chrisman Scottland JR High School	Chrisman	Edgar County CUD 6	25%	14%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	69
#521	D-	Colin Powell Middle Sch	Matteson	Esd 159	25%	11%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	586
#522	D-	Freeport Middle School	Freeport	Freeport SD 145	25%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	485
#523	D-	Lincoln JR High School	La Salle	La Salle ESD 122	25%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	258
#524	D-	Macarthur Middle School	Berkeley	Berkeley SD 87	25%	11%	Meets Expectations	452
#525	D-	Mark W Bills Middle School	Peoria	Peoria SD 150	25%	11%	Meets Expectations	262
#526	D-	Meredosia Chambersburg JR High	Meredosia	Meredosia-Chambersburg CUSD 11	25%	16%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	46
#527	D-	Northwestern JR High School	Palmyra	Northwestern CUSD 2	25%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	54
#528	D-	Shields Middle School	Chicago	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299	25%	9%	Meets Expectations	443
#529	D-	Clay City JR High School	Clay City	Clay City CUSD 10	24%	20%	Underperforms Expectations	61
#530	D-	Gompers Junior High School	Joliet	Joliet PSD 86	24%	8%	Meets Expectations	649
#531	D-	Harvard JR High School	Harvard	Harvard CUSD 50	24%	18%	Underperforms Expectations	540
#532	D-	Hernandez Middle School	Chicago	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299	24%	9%	Meets Expectations	856
#533	D-	J W Eater JR High School	Rantoul	Rantoul City SD 137	24%	11%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	516
#534	D-	Northeast JR High School	East Moline	Silvis SD 34	24%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	202
#535	D-	Richardson Middle School	Chicago	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299	24%	10%	Meets Expectations	934
#536	D-	Unity JR High School	Cicero	Cicero SD 99	24%	14%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	2,054
#537	D-	Viking School	Gurnee	Gurnee SD 56	24%	22%	Underperforms Expectations	527
#538	D-	Eisenhower Middle School	Rockford	Rockford SD 205	23%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	961
#539	D-	Ellis Middle School	Elgin	Sd U-46	23%	13%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	543
#540	D-	Hoopeston Area Middle School	Hoopeston	Hoopeston Area CUSD 11	23%	18%	Underperforms Expectations	249
#541	D-	Kankakee Junior High School	Kankakee	Kankakee SD 111	23%	21%	Underperforms Expectations	560
#542	D-	Larsen Middle School	Elgin	Sd U-46	23%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	611
#543	D-	Michelle Obama Sch Of Technology	Park Forest	Park Forest SD 163	23%	16%	Underperforms Expectations	484
#544	D-	Oliver W Holmes Middle School	Wheeling	Wheeling CCSD 21	23%	18%	Underperforms Expectations	613
#545	D-	West Carroll Middle School	Mount Carroll	West Carroll CUSD 314	23%	18%	Underperforms Expectations	193
#546	D-	Bernard W Flinn Middle School	Rockford	Rockford SD 205	22%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	830
#547	D-	Carbondale Middle School	Carbondale	Carbondale ESD 95	22%	16%	Underperforms Expectations	446
#548	D-	Dirksen Junior High School	Joliet	Joliet PSD 86	22%	10%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	573
#549	D-	Edison JR High School	Rock Island	Rock Island SD 41	22%	16%	Underperforms Expectations	422
#550	D-	Hufford Junior High School	Joliet	Joliet PSD 86	22%	10%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,151
#551	D-	Huntley Middle School	Dekalb	DeKalb CUSD 428	22%	16%	Underperforms Expectations	934
#552	D-	Mulberry Grove JR High School	Mulberry Grove	Mulberry Grove CUSD 1	22%	20%	Underperforms Expectations	78
#553	D-	Prairie Hills Junior High School	Markham	Prairie-Hills ESD 144	22%	11%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	825
#554	D-	Roosevelt Junior High School	Dolton	Dolton SD 148	22%	26%	Underperforms Expectations	132
#555	D-	Shawnee JR High School	Wolf Lake	Shawnee CUSD 84	22%	16%	Underperforms Expectations	65
#556	D-	Washington JR High And Academy Prgm	Joliet	Joliet PSD 86	22%	10%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	774
#557	D-	Wentworth JR High School	Calumet City	Calumet City SD 155	22%	9%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	311
#558	D-	Zadok Casey Middle School	Mount Vernon	Mount Vernon SD 80	22%	16%	Underperforms Expectations	419
#559	D-	Abbott Middle School	Elgin	Sd U-46	21%	15%	Underperforms Expectations	551
#560	D-	Brooks Middle School	Harvey	Harvey SD 152	21%	9%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	487
#561	D-	C F Simmons Middle School	Aurora	Aurora East USD 131	21%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	795
#562	D-	Kimball Middle School	Elgin	Sd U-46	21%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	527
#563	D-	Round Lake Middle School	Round Lake Heights	Round Lake CUSD 116	21%	10%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	804
#564	D-	Veterans Memorial Middle Sch	Blue Island	Cook County SD 130	21%	20%	Underperforms Expectations	370
#565	D-	Beach Park Middle School	Beach Park	Beach Park CCSD 3	20%	13%	Underperforms Expectations	730
#566	D-	S T E M Academy	Calumet City	Dolton SD 149	20%	12%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	173
#567	D-	Schrum Memorial School	Calumet City	Hoover-Schrum Memorial SD 157	19%	28%	Underperforms Expectations	277
#568	F	Coolidge Junior High Sch	Granite City	Granite City CUSD 9	19%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	871
#569	F	Southwood Middle School	Country Club Hills	Country Club Hills SD 160	19%	15%	Underperforms Expectations	381
#570	F	Urbana Middle School	Urbana	Urbana SD 116	19%	13%	Underperforms Expectations	903
#571	F	Calumet Elem School	Calumet Park	Calumet Public SD 132	18%	20%	Underperforms Expectations	310
#572	F	Clinton Rosette Middle School	Dekalb	DeKalb CUSD 428	18%	12%	Underperforms Expectations	615
#573	F	Jack Benny Middle School	Waukegan	Waukegan CUSD 60	18%	13%	Underperforms Expectations	529
#574	F	Madison JR High School	Madison	Madison CUSD 12	18%	7%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	122
#575	F	Magee Middle School	Round Lake	Round Lake CUSD 116	18%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	673
#576	F	Neal Math Science Academy	North Chicago	North Chicago SD 187	18%	22%	Underperforms Expectations	529
#577	F	North Ridge Middle School	Danville	Danville CCSD 118	17%	14%	Underperforms Expectations	685
#578	F	Washington Junior High	Riverdale	Dolton SD 148	17%	15%	Underperforms Expectations	131
#579	F	West Middle School	Rockford	Rockford SD 205	17%	14%	Underperforms Expectations	849
#580	F	Westville JR High School	Westville	Westville CUSD 2	17%	12%	Underperforms Expectations	177
#581	F	Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center	Ford Heights	Ford Heights SD 169	16%	8%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	153
#582	F	Creative Communications Acad	Calumet City	Dolton SD 149	16%	12%	Underperforms Expectations	177
#583	F	East St Louis Lincoln Middle Sch	East Saint Louis	East St Louis SD 189	16%	6%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	446
#584	F	Henry W Cowherd Middle School	Aurora	Aurora East USD 131	16%	11%	Underperforms Expectations	883
#585	F	Irving Middle School	Maywood	Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview 89	16%	18%	Underperforms Expectations	541
#586	F	Rickover JR High School	Sauk Village	Ccsd 168	16%	9%	Underperforms Expectations	370
#587	F	Robert E Abbott Middle School	Waukegan	Waukegan CUSD 60	16%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	630
#588	F	Roosevelt Middle School	Bellwood	Bellwood SD 88	16%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	695
#589	F	Parkview JR High School	Creve Coeur	Creve Coeur SD 76	15%	13%	Underperforms Expectations	228
#590	F	U S Grant Middle School	Springfield	Springfield SD 186	15%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	529
#591	F	Von Steuben Middle School	Peoria	Peoria SD 150	15%	9%	Underperforms Expectations	269
#592	F	Abraham Lincoln Middle School	Rockford	Rockford SD 205	14%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	699
#593	F	Carpentersville Middle School	Carpentersville	Cusd 300	14%	11%	Underperforms Expectations	1,177
#594	F	Miguel Juarez Middle School	Waukegan	Waukegan CUSD 60	14%	9%	Underperforms Expectations	672
#595	F	Northwest Middle School	Chicago	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299	14%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	486
#596	F	School Of Fine Arts	Calumet City	Dolton SD 149	14%	11%	Underperforms Expectations	175
#597	F	K D Waldo Middle School	Aurora	Aurora East USD 131	13%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	846
#598	F	Lincoln Junior High School	Dolton	Dolton SD 148	13%	21%	Underperforms Expectations	150
#599	F	Stephen Decatur Middle School	Decatur	Decatur SD 61	13%	9%	Underperforms Expectations	459
#600	F	Zion Central Middle School	Zion	Zion ESD 6	13%	12%	Underperforms Expectations	323
#601	F	Jefferson Middle School	Springfield	Springfield SD 186	12%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	539
#602	F	Rosa L Parks Middle School	Dixmoor	W Harvey-Dixmoor PSD 147	12%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	319
#603	F	Shiloh Park Middle School	Zion	Zion ESD 6	12%	17%	Underperforms Expectations	401
#604	F	Edith M Smith Middle School	Waukegan	Waukegan CUSD 60	11%	10%	Underperforms Expectations	503
#605	F	Harold B Dawson Middle School	West Peoria	Peoria SD 150	11%	7%	Underperforms Expectations	360
#606	F	Rockford Envrnmntl Science Acad	Rockford	Rockford SD 205	11%	9%	Underperforms Expectations	1,051
#607	F	Masonclark Middle Sch	East Saint Louis	East St Louis SD 189	10%	7%	Underperforms Expectations	615
#608	F	Sterling Middle School	Peoria	Peoria SD 150	10%	8%	Underperforms Expectations	385
#609	F	Egyptian JR High School	Tamms	Egyptian CUSD 5	9%	19%	Underperforms Expectations	67
#610	F	Wirthparks Middle School	Cahokia	Cahokia CUSD 187	9%	14%	Underperforms Expectations	617
#611	F	Sandoval JR High School	Sandoval	Sandoval CUSD 501	8%	13%	Underperforms Expectations	98
#612	F	Washington Middle School	Springfield	Springfield SD 186	8%	9%	Underperforms Expectations	531
#613	F	Kennedy Middle School	Rockford	Rockford SD 205	6%	7%	Underperforms Expectations	380

About this ranking

Scope: every public middle school in Illinois.
Order: SchoolGrade, then actual proficiency, then name; schools with the same grade and score share a rank.
Ranked: regular public schools that NCES lists as open, not fully online, with at least 30 students. Others are listed with the reason.
Tags: Magnet and Charter from the NCES school directory; K-12 marks schools serving every grade that are ranked with the middle schools.
Grades are the 2025-26 SchoolGrade model. How SchoolGrade works