Excellent
#23 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 1% in state
Highcrest Middle School
Middle School · Wilmette SD 39
569 Hunter Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
9.6
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
9.6
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilmette
#2 of 7
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#3 of 684
In district
#2 of 6
Wilmette SD 39
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highcrest Middle School
Highcrest Middle School is a public school in Wilmette, Illinois, serving 747 students in grades 5 and 6. It earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with an academic score of 9.8 and a growth score of 9.3, reflecting strong performance on both achievement and student progress. The numbers put Highcrest in rare company.
It ranks 3rd among 684 middle schools across Illinois and sits at 23rd out of 3,813 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of Illinois schools overall. For families in Wilmette comparing local options, it ranks 2nd out of 7 schools in the district. These figures place it consistently at the top of every relevant comparison group.
The student-teacher ratio of 10.7 to 1 keeps class sizes tight relative to most public middle schools, supporting the kind of individual attention that likely contributes to those academic results. Parents evaluating schools in the northern Chicago suburbs will find Highcrest a strong anchor for the 5th and 6th grade years, backed by data that holds up across state, city, and peer-school comparisons.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highcrest Middle School — Students at Highcrest Middle School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
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: 9.3/10.
How Highcrest Middle School Compares
See how Highcrest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 60% (2019) to 60% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69% (2019) to 71% (2022).
Location
569 Hunter Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highcrest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Wilmette Junior High School (rated 9.0/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Marie Murphy School (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Old Orchard Jr High School (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Skokie), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wilmette, see our Wilmette schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmette Junior High School Wilmette | 0.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Harper Elem School Wilmette | 0.7 mi | 9.8 |
| RONALD KNOX MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmette | 0.6 mi | — |
| THE BARBEREUX SCHOOL Evanston | 0.8 mi | — |
| Romona Elem School Wilmette | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Marie Murphy School Wilmette | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Highland Elementary School Skokie | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Willard Elem School Evanston | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| McKenzie Elem School Wilmette | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| The Joseph Sears School Kenilworth | 1.3 mi | 9.6 |
| THE SCHOOL OF SAINTS FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY Winnetka | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Winnetka | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| New Trier Township H S Winnetka Winnetka | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Niles North High School Skokie | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Old Orchard Jr High School Skokie | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| MESIVTA SHAAREI ADIRIM Skokie | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Greeley Elem School Winnetka | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| MCC ACADEMY-ELEMENTARY Skokie | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincolnwood Elem School Evanston | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Crow Island Elem School Winnetka | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60091 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$190,250
Median Home Value
$800,100
Median Rent
$1,968/mo
Population
27,369
College Educated
84.5%
Homeownership
88.3%
Avg Commute
34.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Median Age
45.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highcrest Middle School has a median household income of $190,250. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $800,100, with a median rent of $1,968/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central School Glencoe, IL | 9.7 |
| Hinsdale Middle School Hinsdale, IL | 9.3 |
| Lake Zurich Middle - S Campus Lake Zurich, IL | 9.3 |
| Northbrook Junior High School Northbrook, IL | 9.9 |
| Nichols Middle School Evanston, IL | 9.2 |
| Chute Middle School Evanston, IL | 9.0 |
Compare Highcrest Middle School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highcrest Middle School
What grades does Highcrest Middle School serve?
Highcrest Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Highcrest Middle School?
Highcrest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 747 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highcrest Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highcrest Middle School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highcrest Middle School rank in IL?
Highcrest Middle School is ranked #23 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Highcrest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highcrest Middle School has a composite rating of 9.6 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 Highcrest Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highcrest Middle School has 60.0% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highcrest Middle School a charter school?
No, Highcrest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highcrest Middle School a Title I school?
No, Highcrest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 54 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 26 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 48 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,210/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmette). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 747
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 70
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (847) 512-6500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilmette SD 39- District Enrollment
- 3,285
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,599
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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