Average
#1666 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 44% in state
Hester JR High School
Middle School · Franklin Park SD 84
2836 Gustav St, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Franklin Park
#2 of 5
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#311 of 684
In district
#1 of 4
Franklin Park SD 84
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Hester JR High School
Hester Jr High School is a middle school located in the heart of Franklin Park, Illinois, within Cook County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 453 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, Hester Jr High School offers personalized attention to its students.
The academic performance at Hester Jr High is rated 5.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing the school in the 62nd percentile among Illinois schools with a state ranking of #1458 out of 3819 schools. In terms of specific subjects, 38% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 29% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to enhance academic achievement.
Hester Jr High School is situated in a large suburban area that provides a blend of community resources and recreational opportunities for its students. The setting offers a supportive environment conducive to learning and growth, making it an integral part of the local educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Hester JR High School — Students at Hester JR High School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
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: 4.8/10.
How Hester JR High School Compares
See how Hester JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
2836 Gustav St, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hester JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mannheim Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Melrose Park), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Stevenson Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Melrose Park), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lincoln Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Schiller Park), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Franklin Park, see our Franklin Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Passow Elementary School Franklin Park | 0.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Dan H Pietrini Elem School Franklin Park | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| North Elem School Franklin Park | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| East Leyden High School Franklin Park | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Scott Elementary School Melrose Park | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln Middle School Schiller Park | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Mannheim Middle School Melrose Park | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| John F Kennedy Elem School Schiller Park | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Rhodes Elem School River Grove | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Grant Primary Stone Park | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Stevenson Middle School Melrose Park | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Whittier Primary School Northlake | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| River Grove Elem School River Grove | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| ALPHA AND OMEGA LEARNING CENTER Melrose Park | 2.1 mi | — |
| Grant Elem School Melrose Park | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Roy Elem School Northlake | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| JOSEPH ACADEMY-MELROSE PARK Melrose Park | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| JOSEPH ACADEMY Melrose Park | 2.4 mi | — |
| Washington Elem School Schiller Park | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Jane Addams Elem School Melrose Park | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,404
Median Home Value
$261,800
Median Rent
$1,092/mo
Population
18,059
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
75.5%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hester JR High School has a median household income of $76,404. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,800, with a median rent of $1,092/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Byron Middle School Byron, IL | 6.5 |
| Calumet Elem School Calumet Park, IL | 6.5 |
| Central Intermediate Sch Washington, IL | 6.5 |
| Geneva Middle Sch North Geneva, IL | 6.5 |
| J W Eater Jr High School Rantoul, IL | 6.5 |
| Macomb Middle School Macomb, IL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hester JR High School
What grades does Hester JR High School serve?
Hester JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hester JR High School?
Hester JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hester JR High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hester JR High School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hester JR High School rank in IL?
Hester JR High School is ranked #1666 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Hester JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hester JR High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Hester JR High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hester JR High School has 29.0% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hester JR High School a charter school?
No, Hester JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hester JR High School a Title I school?
No, Hester JR High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hester JR High School?
57.4% of students at Hester JR High 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 (1,582/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Franklin Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (847) 455-2150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Park SD 84- District Enrollment
- 1,266
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,534
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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 methodologyRelated reading
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