Gower Middle School vs Pleasantdale Middle Sch
Gower Middle School and Pleasantdale Middle Sch are very closely rated, both scoring around 8.7 out of 10. In math proficiency, Gower Middle School leads at 96.0%.
Gower Middle School
Burr Ridge, IL
404 students
Pleasantdale Middle Sch
Burr Ridge, IL
352 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Gower Middle School | Pleasantdale Middle Sch |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.7 / 10 | 8.9 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.1 | 9.5 |
| Growth Score | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.1% | 16.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.9 | 9.8 |
| State Rank | #246 of 3,813 | #192 of 3,813 |
| State Percentile | 94th | 95th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Gower Middle School | Pleasantdale Middle Sch |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 96.0% | 95.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 95.0% | 93.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Gower Middle School | Pleasantdale Middle Sch |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Middle School | Middle School |
| Grades | 5th – 8th | 5th – 8th |
| Enrollment | 404 | 352 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 11.5:1 | 10.4:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | 16.2% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 12.6% | — |
| District | Gower SD 62 | Pleasantdale SD 107 |
| City | Burr Ridge | Burr Ridge |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Burr Ridge (60527) | Burr Ridge (60527) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $110,482 | $110,482 |
| Median Home Value | $488,300 | $488,300 |
| Median Rent | $1,553 | $1,553 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 58.1% | 58.1% |
| Poverty Rate | 10.1% | 10.1% |
| Avg Commute | 28 min | 28 min |
The data story: Gower Middle School vs Pleasantdale Middle Sch
Gower Middle School and Pleasantdale Middle School sit 2.0 miles apart in Burr Ridge, Illinois, and they land nearly identically in statewide rankings — Gower Middle School at #41 of 3,813 Illinois schools and Pleasantdale Middle School at #48 of 3,813. Both earn an overall rating of 9.3/10, placing them in the top 1.3% of schools statewide. For parents choosing between them, the differences are real but narrow, and they cut in opposite directions depending on what a family prioritizes.
Academically, Pleasantdale Middle School holds a visible edge: its academic score of 9.5/10 outpaces Gower Middle School's 9.1/10 — a 4-point gap that reflects stronger measured proficiency on state assessments. Gower Middle School counters with a higher growth score, 9.1/10 versus Pleasantdale Middle School's 8.9/10, meaning students at Gower are advancing at a slightly faster pace relative to academic starting points. Families who weight absolute achievement levels will lean toward Pleasantdale; those who prioritize year-over-year student progress will find Gower's growth trajectory marginally stronger.
Gower Middle School enrolls 404 students compared to Pleasantdale Middle School's 352, a difference of 52 students across the same grade span of 5 through 8. Pleasantdale runs a lower student-teacher ratio — 10.4:1 versus Gower's 11.5:1 — which translates to roughly one additional student per classroom at Gower. Both ratios are well below state averages, but Pleasantdale's smaller class sizes give it a structural advantage for families seeking more individualized attention in the middle school years.
Both schools serve grades 5 through 8, so the academic transitions from upper elementary through early high school preparation are structurally identical. The 0.2-point growth advantage at Gower and the 0.4-point academic proficiency advantage at Pleasantdale are the clearest measurable differentiators available between two schools that, by most metrics, perform at the same exceptional tier within Illinois.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Gower Middle School
Gower Middle School suits families whose child enters middle school below grade level or with room to accelerate — its growth score of 9.1/10 edges out Pleasantdale's 8.9/10, suggesting stronger year-over-year gains. It also fits families comfortable with a slightly larger school community of 404 students.
Pleasantdale Middle Sch
Pleasantdale Middle School is the better fit for families prioritizing peak academic proficiency — its 9.5/10 academic score runs 4 points ahead of Gower's — and for those who want the smallest possible classes, with a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio serving 352 students across grades 5 through 8.