Skip to main content

Very Good

#1090 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 29% in state

Alan B Shepard Middle School

Middle School · Deerfield SD 109

440 Grove Ave, Deerfield, IL 60015

Enrollment

462

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Deerfield

#4 of 7

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#190 of 684

In district

#3 of 6

Deerfield SD 109

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Alan B Shepard Middle School

Alan B Shepard Middle School serves 462 students in grades 6-8 in Deerfield, Illinois, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranking 37th out of 3,819 Illinois schools, the school places in the 99th percentile statewide. The impressive academic score of 9.7 out of 10 reflects strong student achievement, with 65% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels.

The school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.1 to 1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention and support. This staffing structure contributes to the school's ability to deliver high-quality instruction and maintain its academic excellence. Shepard Middle School draws families from an affluent and highly educated community where 80% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $181,111 and a low poverty rate of just 3%, creating a supportive environment for student learning. Located on Grove Avenue in this large suburban setting of Lake County, the school serves as an educational cornerstone in one of Illinois's most prosperous communities.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Alan B Shepard Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,889

Alan B Shepard Middle School — Students at Alan B Shepard Middle School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 73.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
71%
2022
ELA
65%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.

How Alan B Shepard Middle School Compares

See how Alan B Shepard Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in IL
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

440 Grove Ave, Deerfield, IL 60015

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alan B Shepard Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Westmoor Elem School (rated 9.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Northbrook), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hickory Point Elem School (rated 9.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Northbrook), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greenbriar Elem School (rated 9.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Northbrook), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Deerfield, see our Deerfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ROCHELLE ZELL JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Deerfield 0.7 mi 6.9
Kipling Elem School Deerfield 0.7 mi 6.5
South Park Elem School Deerfield 0.6 mi 6.3
Wilmot Elem School Deerfield 0.8 mi 8.9
Walden Elem School Deerfield 1.2 mi 6.1
Charles J Caruso Middle School Deerfield 1.2 mi 7.2
KESHET DAY SCHOOL Northbrook 1.6 mi
SAGER SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Northbrook 1.6 mi 7.4
KESHET ELMENTARY Northbrook 1.6 mi
Hickory Point Elem School Northbrook 1.5 mi 9.8
CENTERVIEW THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL Northbrook 1.6 mi
WYSPA DZIECI LEARNING CENTER Northbrook 1.6 mi
Deerfield High School Deerfield 1.8 mi 8.9
Shabonee School Northbrook 1.8 mi 9.0
MONTESSORI CONNECTION WEST Highland Park 1.6 mi
Sherwood Elem School Highland Park 1.6 mi 9.0
Westmoor Elem School Northbrook 2.1 mi 9.9
Red Oak Elem School Highland Park 1.7 mi 7.7
Bannockburn School Bannockburn 2.2 mi 8.8
Greenbriar Elem School Northbrook 2.3 mi 9.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$186,786

Median Home Value

$602,700

Median Rent

$2,284/mo

Population

27,720

College Educated

80%

Homeownership

84.9%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

2.6%

Median Age

44.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alan B Shepard Middle School has a median household income of $186,786. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $602,700, with a median rent of $2,284/month. The local poverty rate of 2.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Centralia Jr High School Centralia, IL 7.1
Coolidge Middle School Phoenix, IL 7.1
Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest, IL 7.1
Gavin South Middle School Ingleside, IL 7.1
Genoa-Kingston Middle School Genoa, IL 7.1
Herrin Middle School Herrin, IL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alan B Shepard Middle School

What grades does Alan B Shepard Middle School serve?

Alan B Shepard Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Alan B Shepard Middle School?

Alan B Shepard Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alan B Shepard Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alan B Shepard Middle School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alan B Shepard Middle School rank in IL?

Alan B Shepard Middle School is ranked #1090 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Alan B Shepard Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alan B Shepard Middle School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alan B Shepard Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alan B Shepard Middle School has 62.5% math proficiency and 73.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alan B Shepard Middle School a charter school?

No, Alan B Shepard Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alan B Shepard Middle School a Title I school?

No, Alan B Shepard Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,038/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Deerfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Deerfield SD 109
District Enrollment
2,715
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,414
District Rank
#3 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.