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Excellent

#13 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 1% in state

Central School

Middle School · Glencoe SD 35

620 Greenwood Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022

Enrollment

580

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

9.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Glencoe

#1 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#2 of 684

In district

#1 of 3

Glencoe SD 35

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Central School

Central School is a public middle school in Glencoe, Illinois, serving approximately 580 students in grades 5 through 8. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, students get consistent access to their teachers — a structural advantage that supports the school's academic outcomes. The numbers are hard to argue with.

Central School earns a composite score of 9.7 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with academic performance scoring 9.8 and growth scoring 9.6. It ranks 13th out of 3,813 public schools in Illinois and sits at number 2 among 684 middle schools statewide — placing it among a very small group of schools operating at this level. For families comparing options in the area, Central School holds the top spot among the three schools in Glencoe.

That combination of high achievement and strong growth signals that students are not just arriving with advantages — they are making measurable gains year over year. Parents weighing middle school choices in the North Shore region will find few public options that match Central School's performance profile at both the local and state level.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Central 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 Progress9.6Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,310

Central School — Students at Central School score 66% 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

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2022
ELA
68%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Central School Compares

See how Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.7/10
100th percentile in IL
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Location

620 Greenwood Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sunset Ridge Elem School (rated 9.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Northfield), with a very similar rating. Another option is The Skokie School (rated 9.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Winnetka), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Carleton W Washburne School (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Winnetka), a more accessible option. For more schools in Glencoe, see our Glencoe schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South Elem School Glencoe 0.7 mi 8.1
West School Glencoe 0.9 mi 9.2
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Winnetka 1.3 mi 6.8
Hubbard Woods Elem School Winnetka 1.4 mi 9.8
Braeside Elem School Highland Park 1.8 mi 5.7
Carleton W Washburne School Winnetka 1.9 mi 8.0
The Skokie School Winnetka 1.9 mi 9.0
HYDE PARK DAY SCHOOL NORTHFIELD Northfield 2.0 mi 7.0
Crow Island Elem School Winnetka 2.2 mi 7.7
Middlefork Primary School Northfield 2.2 mi 7.8
Northfield Community Nursery Sch Northfield 2.3 mi
Sunset Ridge Elem School Northfield 2.2 mi 9.4
Ravinia Elem School Highland Park 2.6 mi 6.9
New Trier Township H S Northfield Northfield 2.8 mi 7.6
THE SCHOOL OF SAINTS FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY Winnetka 2.8 mi 6.8
NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Winnetka 2.7 mi 7.3
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Northfield 2.8 mi 7.7
GLENVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Northfield 2.9 mi
Marie Murphy School Wilmette 3.3 mi 7.9
HIGHLAND PARK MONTESSORI Highland Park 2.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,345,200

Median Rent

$2,097/mo

Population

8,415

College Educated

88.2%

Homeownership

91.7%

Avg Commute

38 min

Poverty Rate

2.6%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 88% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,345,200, with a median rent of $2,097/month. The local poverty rate of 2.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highcrest Middle School Wilmette, IL 9.6
Northbrook Junior High School Northbrook, IL 9.9
Gower Middle School Burr Ridge, IL 9.3
Hinsdale Middle School Hinsdale, IL 9.3
Lake Zurich Middle - S Campus Lake Zurich, IL 9.3
Pleasantdale Middle Sch Burr Ridge, IL 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central School

What grades does Central School serve?

Central School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Central School?

Central School has an enrollment of approximately 580 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central School rank in IL?

Central School is ranked #13 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central School has a composite rating of 9.7 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 Central School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central School has 65.0% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central School a charter school?

No, Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central School a Title I school?

No, Central School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
58 Bikeable
City Safety
Average (624/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Glencoe SD 35
District Enrollment
1,217
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$29,766
District Rank
#1 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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

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