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Below Average

#3167 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

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,167 of 3,813

In Waukegan

#15 of 23

public schools

In district

#14 of 22

Waukegan CUSD 60

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Edith M Smith Middle School

4.7/10

Middle School in Waukegan · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whittier Elem School

5.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hyde Park Elem School

5.3/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Edith M Smith Middle School

Edith M Smith Middle School is a public middle school in Waukegan, IL, part of Waukegan CUSD 60. Edith M Smith Middle School serves approximately 489 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Edith M Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,167 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Edith M Smith Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.0
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Edith M Smith Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

51% of students at Edith M Smith Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,843
Chronic Absenteeism51.1%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
60%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
28%
2013
Math
35%
ELA
30%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
13%
ELA
20%
2019
Math
13%
ELA
20%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Edith M Smith Middle School Compares

See how Edith M Smith Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in IL
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Jack Benny Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Robert E Abbott Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Miguel Juarez Middle School (rated 2.9/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.9
Hyde Park Elem School Waukegan 0.5 mi 5.3
LEARN John Kathy Schreiber Chrtr Waukegan 0.5 mi 8.9
LIONS MATH AND SCIENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waukegan 0.4 mi 6.8
Glen Flora Elem School Waukegan 0.5 mi 5.9
Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan 0.7 mi 2.9
ST ANASTASIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukegan 0.7 mi 6.8
Glenwood Elementary School Waukegan 0.7 mi 4.5
Robert E Abbott Middle School Waukegan 1.0 mi 3.2
Waukegan High School Waukegan 1.0 mi 4.7
Clearview Elem School Waukegan 1.0 mi 5.2
North Elem School Waukegan 0.9 mi 3.0
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 3.1
Greenwood Elem School Waukegan 1.3 mi 6.9
Jack Benny Middle School Waukegan 1.5 mi 3.3
Andrew Cooke Magnet Elem School Waukegan 1.4 mi 5.5
MENTA ACADEMY NORTH Waukegan 1.5 mi 5.9
Little Fort Elem School Waukegan 1.8 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Elem Kewanee, IL 4.7
Drauden Point Middle School Plainfield, IL 4.7
Herget Middle School Aurora, IL 4.7
Momence Jr High School Momence, IL 4.7
Northwest Middle School Chicago, IL 4.7
Zadok Casey Middle School Mount Vernon, IL 4.7

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 ranks #3,167 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Edith M Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Edith M Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Edith M Smith Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Edith M Smith Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.1%

District

Waukegan CUSD 60
District Enrollment
13,666
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,843
District Rank
#14 of 22

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