Average
#2957 of 3,813 schools in IL
Edith M Smith Middle School
Middle School · Waukegan CUSD 60
930 New York St, Waukegan, IL 60085
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waukegan
#12 of 23
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#561 of 684
In district
#11 of 22
Waukegan CUSD 60
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Edith M Smith Middle School
Edith M Smith Middle School is a regular public school located in Waukegan, Illinois, in the heart of Lake County. Situated at 930 New York Street, it serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 489 students. The student-teacher ratio stands at 18.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
While Edith M Smith Middle School's academic performance may not be at the top—its MySchoolScout Rating is 3.7 out of 10 and it ranks 12th percentile among Illinois schools—it remains a dedicated institution focusing on student development. Math proficiency sits at 10% and ELA/reading proficiency stands at 16%, indicating areas for growth and improvement. Set in a large suburban area, Edith M Smith Middle School is surrounded by a vibrant community that supports its educational initiatives and provides various extracurricular activities for students to engage in.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Edith M Smith Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Edith M Smith Middle School — Students at Edith M Smith Middle School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.1/10.
How Edith M Smith Middle School Compares
See how Edith M Smith Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 7% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
930 New York St, Waukegan, IL 60085
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Edith M Smith Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Robert E Abbott Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Miguel Juarez Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jack Benny Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waukegan, see our Waukegan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whittier Elem School Waukegan | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Hyde Park Elem School Waukegan | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| LEARN John Kathy Schreiber Chrtr Waukegan | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| LIONS MATH AND SCIENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waukegan | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Glen Flora Elem School Waukegan | 0.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| ST ANASTASIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukegan | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Waukegan | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Robert E Abbott Middle School Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Waukegan High School Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Clearview Elem School Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| North Elem School Waukegan | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Early Learning Center Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| MOST BLESSED TRINITY ACADEMY Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Washington Elem School Waukegan | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Greenwood Elem School Waukegan | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Jack Benny Middle School Waukegan | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Andrew Cooke Magnet Elem School Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| MENTA ACADEMY NORTH Waukegan | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Little Fort Elem School Waukegan | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,330
Median Home Value
$164,800
Median Rent
$1,133/mo
Population
72,763
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
46.6%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Edith M Smith Middle School has a median household income of $64,330. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,800, with a median rent of $1,133/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Carterville Intermediate Sch Carterville, IL | 5.2 |
| Heritage Middle School Lansing, IL | 5.2 |
| Jefferson Elem School Charleston, IL | 5.2 |
| Matthews Middle School Island Lake, IL | 5.2 |
| Rosa L Parks Middle School Dixmoor, IL | 5.2 |
| Central Intermediate School Monmouth, IL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Edith M Smith Middle School
What grades does Edith M Smith Middle School serve?
Edith M Smith Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Edith M Smith Middle School?
Edith M Smith Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 489 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Edith M Smith Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Edith M Smith Middle School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Edith M Smith Middle School rank in IL?
Edith M Smith Middle School is ranked #2957 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Edith M Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Edith M Smith Middle School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Edith M Smith Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Edith M Smith Middle School has 10.0% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Edith M Smith Middle School a charter school?
No, Edith M Smith Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Edith M Smith Middle School a Title I school?
No, Edith M Smith Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Edith M Smith Middle School?
74.8% of students at Edith M Smith Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,072/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waukegan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 489
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (224) 303-2760
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waukegan CUSD 60- District Enrollment
- 13,666
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,843
- District Rank
- #11 of 22
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 methodologyRelated reading
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