Very Good
#1211 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 32% in state
Highlands Middle School
Middle School · LaGrange Highlands SD 106
1850 W Plainfield Rd, La Grange Highlands, IL 60525
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Grange Highlands
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#217 of 684
In district
#2 of 2
LaGrange Highlands SD 106
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Middle School
Highlands Middle School serves 433 students in grades 5-8 in La Grange Highlands, earning strong recognition for its academic performance. The school ranks #190 out of 3,819 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile, with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 9.2 out of 10. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 54% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels, reflecting solid academic achievement. The school serves a well-educated community where half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $108,941. The neighborhood's median home value of $395,700 reflects the area's desirability, while the low 5.4% poverty rate indicates economic stability throughout the community.
Located at 1850 W Plainfield Road, Highlands Middle School sits in Cook County's large suburban setting, providing students with the benefits of suburban community life while maintaining access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highlands Middle School — Students at Highlands Middle School score 58% 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 3 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.
How Highlands Middle School Compares
See how Highlands Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 54% (2022).
Location
1850 W Plainfield Rd, La Grange Highlands, IL 60525
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasantdale Middle Sch (rated 9.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Burr Ridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is McClure Jr High School (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Western Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wm F Gurrie Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby La Grange), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Grange Highlands, see our La Grange Highlands schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands Elem School La Grange Highlands | 0.1 mi | 9.3 |
| ACACIA ACADEMY La Grange | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| ST JOHN OF THE CROSS PARISH SCHOOL Western Springs | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| ST CLETUS SCHOOL La Grange | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Forest Hills Elem School Western Springs | 1.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Wm F Gurrie Middle School La Grange | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Spring Ave Elem School La Grange | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| CREATIVE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Grange | 1.7 mi | — |
| Ideal Elem School Countryside | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Pleasantdale Middle Sch Burr Ridge | 1.9 mi | 9.3 |
| Oak Elem School Hinsdale | 1.5 mi | 9.7 |
| VINE ACADEMY Burr Ridge | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Field Park Elem School Western Springs | 2.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Elm Elem School Burr Ridge | 1.5 mi | 9.3 |
| McClure Jr High School Western Springs | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Lyons Twp High Sch La Grange | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF WESTERN SPRINGS Western Springs | 2.1 mi | — |
| Seventh Ave Elem School La Grange | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| HINSDALE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Hinsdale | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| John Laidlaw Elem School Western Springs | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,718
Median Home Value
$422,500
Median Rent
$1,475/mo
Population
31,453
College Educated
52.9%
Homeownership
79.6%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Middle School has a median household income of $113,718. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $422,500, with a median rent of $1,475/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Lombard Middle School Galesburg, IL | 7.0 |
| MacArthur Middle School Berkeley, IL | 7.0 |
| Olympia Middle School Stanford, IL | 7.0 |
| Alan B Shepard Middle School Deerfield, IL | 7.1 |
| Centralia Jr High School Centralia, IL | 7.1 |
| Coolidge Middle School Phoenix, IL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Middle School
What grades does Highlands Middle School serve?
Highlands Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Highlands Middle School?
Highlands Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Middle School rank in IL?
Highlands Middle School is ranked #1211 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Highlands Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Highlands Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Middle School has 62.0% math proficiency and 62.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands Middle School a charter school?
No, Highlands Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Middle School a Title I school?
No, Highlands Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 433
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 579-6890
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LaGrange Highlands SD 106- District Enrollment
- 996
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,035
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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