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Average

#1401 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 37% in state

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School

Middle School · Oak Park ESD 97

325 S Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Enrollment

981

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,401 of 3,813

In Oak Park

#11 of 11

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

Oak Park ESD 97

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School

6.8/10

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

The Field School

7.5/10

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

Fenwick High School

6.2/10

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

About Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School is a public middle school in Oak Park, IL, part of Oak Park ESD 97. Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School serves approximately 981 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,401 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.4
  • IL avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,483
Chronic Absenteeism14.4%

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School — Students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.2% (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
88%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2022
ELA
36%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Compares

See how Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
63th percentile in IL
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

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

325 S Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Roosevelt School (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby River Forest), which scores notably higher. Another option is Percy Julian Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Park Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Forest Park), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oak Park, see our Oak Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
THE FIELD SCHOOL Oak Park 0.4 mi 7.5
FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Oak Park 0.5 mi 6.2
ALCUIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park 0.8 mi 8.9
Oak Park & River Forest High Sch Oak Park 0.7 mi 9.5
LA CASA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park 0.8 mi
INTERCULTURAL MONTESSORI LANGUAGE SCHOOL Oak Park 0.7 mi
Oliver W Holmes Elem School Oak Park 0.9 mi 8.1
Garfield Elem School Forest Park 0.7 mi 8.2
Abraham Lincoln Elem School Oak Park 1.0 mi 7.9
Percy Julian Middle School Oak Park 0.7 mi 8.0
WEST SUBURBAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park 1.0 mi 4.6
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY Oak Park 1.0 mi
Longfellow Elem School Oak Park 0.9 mi 7.8
PACTT LEARNING CENTER Oak Park 1.2 mi
William Beye Elem School Oak Park 1.0 mi 8.1
CHOSEN ONES LEARNING CENTER Forest Park 1.1 mi
Forest Park Middle School Forest Park 1.1 mi 5.0
Field Stevenson Elem School Forest Park 1.1 mi 8.3
ST LUKE SCHOOL River Forest 1.0 mi 8.1
Roosevelt School River Forest 1.1 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,414

Median Home Value

$450,700

Median Rent

$1,348/mo

Population

32,589

College Educated

71.3%

Homeownership

62.2%

Avg Commute

32.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

42.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Century Junior High School Orland Park, IL 6.8
Fremont Jr High/Middle School Mundelein, IL 6.8
Highland Middle School Highland, IL 6.8
Hubble Middle School Warrenville, IL 6.8
Hubert H Humphrey Middle School Bolingbrook, IL 6.8
Lincoln Middle School Berwyn, IL 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School

What grades does Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School serve?

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School?

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 981 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School rank in IL?

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School ranks #1,401 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School a Title I school?

No, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School?

23.6% of students at Gwendolyn Brooks 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
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
65 Good Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
981
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

District

Oak Park ESD 97
District Enrollment
5,596
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,483
District Rank
#10 of 10

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