Below Average
#3523 of 3,813 schools in IL
Jack Benny Middle School
Middle School · Waukegan CUSD 60
1401 Montesano Ave, Waukegan, IL 60087
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher
28.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher
28.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waukegan
#19 of 23
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#649 of 684
In district
#18 of 22
Waukegan CUSD 60
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Jack Benny Middle School
Jack Benny Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located at 1401 Montesano Avenue in Waukegan, Illinois, it sits in a large suburban area and serves an enrollment of 506 students with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The student-teacher ratio stands at 28.1:1, indicating that while the school aims to provide adequate support, there is room for improvement in terms of individualized attention.
Jack Benny Middle School's MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and its state ranking of #3533 among Illinois schools suggest that there is significant potential for academic growth. Test scores reveal that 15% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 10% are proficient or above in Math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on enhancing its educational programs and student development.
While the neighborhood data around Jack Benny Middle School is not available, the school's setting in a large suburban area offers a diverse community for students to engage with and grow alongside their peers.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Jack Benny Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Jack Benny Middle School is 28.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Jack Benny Middle School — Students at Jack Benny Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.2%
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: 7.2/10.
How Jack Benny Middle School Compares
See how Jack Benny Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 9% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 8% (2022).
Location
1401 Montesano Ave, Waukegan, IL 60087
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jack Benny Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Miguel Juarez Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edith M Smith Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waukegan, see our Waukegan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Little Fort Elem School Waukegan | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| John S Clark Elem School Waukegan | 0.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Greenwood Elem School Waukegan | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| LAKE COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| LEARN John Kathy Schreiber Chrtr Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Clearview Elem School Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Early Learning Center Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| ST ANASTASIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukegan | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Glen Flora Elem School Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Oakdale Elem School Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Edith M Smith Middle School Waukegan | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| H R McCall Elem School Waukegan | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Whittier Elem School Waukegan | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Waukegan | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| LIONS MATH AND SCIENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waukegan | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Oak Crest School Beach Park | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| North Elem School Waukegan | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Hyde Park Elem School Waukegan | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Howe Elementary School Beach Park | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60087 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,162
Median Home Value
$185,800
Median Rent
$1,294/mo
Population
27,428
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
63.6%
Avg Commute
27.4 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jack Benny Middle School has a median household income of $79,162. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,800, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooks Middle School Harvey, IL | 4.4 |
| Taylorville Jr High School Taylorville, IL | 4.4 |
| Carterville Jr High Sch Carterville, IL | 4.5 |
| Central Middle School Burlington, IL | 4.5 |
| Frederick School Grayslake, IL | 4.5 |
| Marengo Comm Middle School Marengo, IL | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jack Benny Middle School
What grades does Jack Benny Middle School serve?
Jack Benny Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Jack Benny Middle School?
Jack Benny Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 506 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jack Benny Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jack Benny Middle School is 28.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jack Benny Middle School rank in IL?
Jack Benny Middle School is ranked #3523 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Jack Benny Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jack Benny Middle School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Jack Benny Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jack Benny Middle School has 9.5% math proficiency and 14.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jack Benny Middle School a charter school?
No, Jack Benny Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jack Benny Middle School a Title I school?
No, Jack Benny Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jack Benny Middle School?
64.2% of students at Jack Benny Middle 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 (2,072/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waukegan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 506
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (224) 303-2470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waukegan CUSD 60- District Enrollment
- 13,666
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,843
- District Rank
- #18 of 22
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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