Average
#1416 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 37% in state
John R Lewis Middle School
Middle School · Waukegan CUSD 60
600 S Lewis Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waukegan
#4 of 23
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#259 of 684
In district
#3 of 22
Waukegan CUSD 60
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About John R Lewis Middle School
John R Lewis Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Waukegan, Illinois, with an enrollment of 762 students. The school operates as a regular public middle school with 43 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance in core subjects.
Currently, 22% of students are meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts, while 16% are proficient or above in mathematics. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks at the 37th percentile statewide, placing it at #2398 among Illinois's 3,819 schools. With a focus on student development, John R Lewis Middle School offers middle grades education in a large suburban setting.
The school provides the foundational academic environment typical of public middle schools, working with students during a critical stage of their educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John R Lewis Middle School — Students at John R Lewis Middle School score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How John R Lewis Middle School Compares
See how John R Lewis Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
600 S Lewis Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John R Lewis Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Neal Math Science Academy (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby North Chicago), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Robert E Abbott Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Miguel Juarez Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waukegan, see our Waukegan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lyon Magnet Elementary School Waukegan | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Washington Elem School Waukegan | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Robert E Abbott Middle School Waukegan | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Waukegan High School Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| MENTA ACADEMY NORTH Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Carman-Buckner Elem School Waukegan | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Hyde Park Elem School Waukegan | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Evelyn Alexander School North Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| North Chicago Community High Sch North Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Andrew Cooke Magnet Elem School Waukegan | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Neal Math Science Academy North Chicago | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| LIONS MATH AND SCIENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waukegan | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Whittier Elem School Waukegan | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Edith M Smith Middle School Waukegan | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| MOST BLESSED TRINITY ACADEMY Waukegan | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Green Bay Early Childhood Center North Chicago | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Waukegan | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| North Elem School Waukegan | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,330
Median Home Value
$164,800
Median Rent
$1,133/mo
Population
72,763
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
46.6%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding John R Lewis Middle School has a median household income of $64,330. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,800, with a median rent of $1,133/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Alex M Martino Jr High School New Lenox, IL | 6.8 |
| Blackhawk Middle School Bensenville, IL | 6.8 |
| Dwight D Eisenhower JHS Hoffman Estates, IL | 6.8 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport, IL | 6.8 |
| Geo T Wilkins Jr High School Justice, IL | 6.8 |
| Jacksonville Middle School Jacksonville, IL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John R Lewis Middle School
What grades does John R Lewis Middle School serve?
John R Lewis Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend John R Lewis Middle School?
John R Lewis Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 762 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John R Lewis Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at John R Lewis Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John R Lewis Middle School rank in IL?
John R Lewis Middle School is ranked #1416 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is John R Lewis Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
John R Lewis Middle School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 John R Lewis Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John R Lewis Middle School has 16.0% math proficiency and 21.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John R Lewis Middle School a charter school?
No, John R Lewis Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John R Lewis Middle School a Title I school?
No, John R Lewis Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John R Lewis Middle School?
77.6% of students at John R Lewis 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
- 762
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (224) 303-2560
- 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
- #3 of 22
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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