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Very Good

#450 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 12% in state

Marie Murphy School

Middle School · Avoca SD 37

2921 Illinois Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091

Enrollment

267

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wilmette

#7 of 7

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#76 of 684

In district

#1 of 2

Avoca SD 37

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Marie Murphy School

Marie Murphy School serves 267 students in grades 6-8 as a standout middle school in Wilmette, Illinois. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranking #6 out of 3,819 schools statewide, this public school demonstrates exceptional academic performance that places it in the 100th percentile among Illinois schools. The school maintains a favorable 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio with 26 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive substantial individual attention.

Academic achievement is particularly strong, with 70% of students performing at or above proficiency levels in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. The school's academic score of 9.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence during these crucial middle school years. Marie Murphy School draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 60091 ZIP code, where 83% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $179,700.

The area's low poverty rate of 2.9% and median home value of $768,600 reflect the socioeconomic advantages that support student achievement. Located on Illinois Road in this large suburban setting, Marie Murphy School serves families in one of the North Shore's most desirable educational communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,645

Marie Murphy School — Students at Marie Murphy School score 66% proficient, which is above 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 69.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
65%
2022
ELA
70%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Marie Murphy School Compares

See how Marie Murphy School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
88th percentile in IL
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Location

2921 Illinois Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marie Murphy School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Highcrest Middle School (rated 9.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilmette Junior High School (rated 9.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Skokie School (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Winnetka), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wilmette, see our Wilmette schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Romona Elem School Wilmette 0.7 mi 8.4
Harper Elem School Wilmette 0.6 mi 9.8
Wilmette Junior High School Wilmette 0.7 mi 9.0
Crow Island Elem School Winnetka 1.1 mi 7.7
Highcrest Middle School Wilmette 1.0 mi 9.6
New Trier Township H S Northfield Northfield 1.0 mi 7.6
Avoca West Elem School Glenview 1.1 mi 6.6
THE SCHOOL OF SAINTS FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY Winnetka 1.1 mi 6.8
The Skokie School Winnetka 1.5 mi 9.0
RONALD KNOX MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmette 1.1 mi
Carleton W Washburne School Winnetka 1.5 mi 8.0
NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Winnetka 1.3 mi 7.3
Niles North High School Skokie 1.7 mi 7.8
THE BARBEREUX SCHOOL Evanston 1.8 mi
Greeley Elem School Winnetka 1.7 mi 7.5
The Joseph Sears School Kenilworth 1.6 mi 9.6
New Trier Township H S Winnetka Winnetka 1.6 mi 9.1
Hubbard Woods Elem School Winnetka 2.1 mi 9.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Winnetka 2.3 mi 6.8
Highland Elementary School Skokie 2.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60091 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$190,250

Median Home Value

$800,100

Median Rent

$1,968/mo

Population

27,369

College Educated

84.5%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

34.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

45.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Marie Murphy School has a median household income of $190,250. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $800,100, with a median rent of $1,968/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Channahon Junior High School Channahon, IL 7.9
Lisle Jr High School Lisle, IL 7.9
Reservoir Gifted School Peoria, IL 7.9
Carleton W Washburne School Winnetka, IL 8.0
Evergreen Academy Elem School Chicago, IL 8.0
Lincoln Jr High School Lincoln, IL 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marie Murphy School

What grades does Marie Murphy School serve?

Marie Murphy School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Marie Murphy School?

Marie Murphy School has an enrollment of approximately 267 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marie Murphy School?

The student-teacher ratio at Marie Murphy School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marie Murphy School rank in IL?

Marie Murphy School is ranked #450 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Marie Murphy School's MySchoolScout rating?

Marie Murphy School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Marie Murphy School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marie Murphy School has 69.0% math proficiency and 71.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marie Murphy School a charter school?

No, Marie Murphy School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Marie Murphy School a Title I school?

No, Marie Murphy School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,210/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Avoca SD 37
District Enrollment
622
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,147
District Rank
#1 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 methodology

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