Excellent
#572 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 15% in state
Independence JR High School
Middle School · Palos Heights Sd 128 · Palos Heights, IL
A Palos Heights Sd 128 middle school where students score 3 points below what's typical for similar communities.
6610 W Highland Dr, Palos Heights, IL 60463
- Math 28% proficient (2021)
- Reading 64% proficient (2022)
- 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Independence JR High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IL average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 14-year record (2009–2022), then recovered 12 points since 2019, reaching 64% in 2022.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 56% (multi-year average, 2009-2021) · reading/ELA 72% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Independence JR High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Chicago map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 50Somewhat Walkable
- Bike 40Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated925/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Palos Heights), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$105,389
Median home value
$343,700
Median rent
$2,119/mo
College educated
41%
Homeownership
94%
Poverty rate
6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 60463; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Hale Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.8 | 6–8 | 1.9 mi | 338 | Compare → |
| Palos South Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.2 | 6–8 | 2.0 mi | 705 | Compare → |
| Worth JR High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.8 | 6–8 | 2.1 mi | 338 | Compare → |
| Elden D Finley JR High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.8 | 6–8 | 2.6 mi | 377 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Palos Heights Sd 128
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #1 of 4
- District spending per student
- $17,650NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 7.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Independence JR High School is listed in Palos Heights SD 128; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Independence JR High School
Independence JR High School is a public middle school in Palos Heights, IL, part of Palos Heights Sd 128, serving approximately 208 students in grades 6th-8th with a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #572 of 3,813 schools in IL. State assessment records show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 ranks #572 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Independence JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Independence JR High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence JR High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 208
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.9%
- Phone
- (708) 448-0737
- Area population (ZIP 60463)
- 13,359
- Area average commute
- 29.8 min
- Area median age
- 49.8
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 60463; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2021, multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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