Excellent
#185 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 5% 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
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
981
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oak Park
#6 of 11
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#28 of 684
In district
#5 of 10
Oak Park ESD 97
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School is a public middle school in Oak Park, IL, part of the Oak Park ESD 97. The school serves approximately 981 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95.2th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math and 40% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $97,414, where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School — Students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Compares
See how Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 35% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 36% (2022).
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. Percy Julian Middle School (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Roosevelt School (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby River Forest), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Forest Park Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 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 | 8.7 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Garfield Elem School Forest Park | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elem School Oak Park | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Percy Julian Middle School Oak Park | 0.7 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| PACTT LEARNING CENTER Oak Park | 1.2 mi | — |
| William Beye Elem School Oak Park | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| CHOSEN ONES LEARNING CENTER Forest Park | 1.1 mi | — |
| Forest Park Middle School Forest Park | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Field Stevenson Elem School Forest Park | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| ST LUKE SCHOOL River Forest | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Roosevelt School River Forest | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has a median household income of $97,414. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $450,700, with a median rent of $1,348/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Hadley Junior High School Glen Ellyn, IL | 8.6 |
| Chicago Heights Middle School Chicago Hts, IL | 8.7 |
| Cooper Middle School Buffalo Grove, IL | 8.5 |
| Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines, IL | 8.5 |
| Hawthorn Middle School South Vernon Hills, IL | 8.5 |
| Palos South Middle School Palos Park, IL | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #185 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School has 33.5% math proficiency and 39.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 90 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 65 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 64 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,941/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oak Park). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (708) 524-3050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oak Park ESD 97- District Enrollment
- 5,596
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,483
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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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