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Very Good

#772 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 20% in state

Independence JR High School

Middle School · Palos Heights SD 128

6610 W Highland Dr, Palos Heights, IL 60463

Enrollment

208

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palos Heights

#2 of 6

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#136 of 684

In district

#2 of 4

Palos Heights SD 128

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Independence JR High School

Independence Jr High School serves 208 students in grades 6-8 in the suburban community of Palos Heights, Illinois. This middle school stands out academically with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks 48th among Illinois's 3,819 schools, placing it in the 99th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with an academic score of 9.7 out of 10, and 64% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading.

With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, Independence Jr High maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.9 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention and support. This smaller learning environment helps foster close relationships between educators and students during these crucial middle school years. The school serves families in the 60463 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $102,773 and median home value reaches $329,400.

The community shows strong educational values, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 5%. Independence Jr High School operates within this supportive, well-educated suburban community that prioritizes academic excellence and student achievement.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Independence JR High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,667

Independence JR High School — Students at Independence JR High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
38%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
52%
2022
ELA
64%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Independence JR High School Compares

See how Independence JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IL
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Location

6610 W Highland Dr, Palos Heights, IL 60463

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Palos South Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Palos Park), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Elden D Finley Jr High School (rated 6.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Chicago Ridge), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Worth Jr High School (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Worth), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palos Heights, see our Palos Heights schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SANDBOX LEARNING CENTER Palos Heights 0.3 mi
A B Shepard High Sch (Campus) Palos Heights 0.4 mi 6.9
Navajo Heights Elem School Palos Heights 0.6 mi 7.6
ST ALEXANDER SCHOOL Palos Heights 0.7 mi 4.7
Indian Hill Palos Heights 0.7 mi 5.2
TRUSTING HEARTS PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Palos Heights 0.8 mi
CHICAGO CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Palos Heights 1.0 mi 6.9
Chippewa Elem School Palos Heights 0.9 mi 4.8
ELIM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crestwood 1.2 mi
Palos East Elementary School Palos Heights 1.3 mi 6.9
Worth Elem School Worth 2.1 mi 6.2
Worth Jr High School Worth 2.1 mi 6.6
Nathan Hale Primary School Crestwood 1.8 mi 5.9
Nathan Hale Intermediate Crestwood 1.8 mi 6.0
Nathan Hale Middle School Crestwood 1.9 mi 6.2
Elden D Finley Jr High School Chicago Ridge 2.6 mi 6.9
Ridge Central Elem School Chicago Ridge 2.6 mi 6.4
Worthwoods Elem School Worth 2.5 mi 7.2
Palos South Middle School Palos Park 2.0 mi 8.4
Hazelgreen Elem School Alsip 2.4 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60463 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,389

Median Home Value

$343,700

Median Rent

$2,119/mo

Population

13,359

College Educated

41%

Homeownership

94%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

49.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence JR High School has a median household income of $105,389. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $343,700, with a median rent of $2,119/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Amboy Jr High School Amboy, IL 7.5
Lincoln Junior High School Dolton, IL 7.5
Riverdale Middle School Port Byron, IL 7.5
Teutopolis Junior High School Teutopolis, IL 7.5
Chillicothe Jr High Chillicothe, IL 7.4
Crestwood Jr High School Paris, IL 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence JR High School

What grades does Independence JR High School serve?

Independence JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Independence JR High School?

Independence JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence JR High School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence JR High School rank in IL?

Independence JR High School is ranked #772 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Independence JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence JR High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Independence JR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence JR High School has 33.0% math proficiency and 60.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence JR High School a charter school?

No, Independence JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence JR High School a Title I school?

No, Independence JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (925/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palos Heights). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palos Heights SD 128
District Enrollment
791
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,650
District Rank
#2 of 4

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 methodology

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