Average
#2956 of 3,813 schools in IL
Matthews Middle School
Middle School · Wauconda CUSD 118
3500 Darrell Rd., Island Lake, IL 60042
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Island Lake
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#560 of 684
In district
#5 of 6
Wauconda CUSD 118
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Matthews Middle School
Matthews Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Island Lake, Illinois, in the heart of Lake County. With an enrollment of 467 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, Matthews provides a supportive learning environment that encourages individual attention for each student. The school has 39 full-time equivalent teachers who work to ensure every child receives personalized instruction.
While academic performance metrics show room for improvement—ELA proficiency is at 38% and math proficiency stands at 22%, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.7 out of 10—Matthews Middle School remains committed to fostering growth in its students. The school ranks 56th percentile statewide, indicating steady progress and potential for enhancement. Set in a large suburban area, Matthews Middle School is surrounded by a vibrant community that values education and supports the school's efforts to provide quality learning opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Matthews Middle School — Students at Matthews Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46%
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: 2.4/10.
How Matthews Middle School Compares
See how Matthews Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 16% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
3500 Darrell Rd., Island Lake, IL 60042
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Matthews Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cary Jr High School (rated 6.7/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wauconda Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Wauconda), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Prairie Grove Junior High School (rated 6.1/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Crystal Lake), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Island Lake, see our Island Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Crown School Wauconda | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Cotton Creek School Island Lake | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| DA VINCI WALDORF SCHOOL Wauconda | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Wauconda High School Wauconda | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Wauconda Middle School Wauconda | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Wauconda Grade School Wauconda | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Wauconda | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Three Oaks School Cary | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Deer Path Elem School Cary | 4.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Big Hollow Elem School Ingleside | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Cary Jr High School Cary | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside | 5.1 mi | 6.2 |
| North Barrington Elem School North Barrington | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Big Hollow Middle School Ingleside | 5.2 mi | 5.0 |
| TRINITY OAKS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cary | 5.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Prairie Grove Elem School Crystal Lake | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Prairie Grove Junior High School Crystal Lake | 4.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Cary-Grove Community High School Cary | 5.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Oak Knoll Early Childhood Center Cary | 5.4 mi | 5.9 |
| SS PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Cary | 5.4 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,613
Median Home Value
$244,000
Median Rent
$1,826/mo
Population
8,630
College Educated
27.1%
Homeownership
81.8%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Matthews Middle School has a median household income of $94,613. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,000, with a median rent of $1,826/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Carterville Intermediate Sch Carterville, IL | 5.2 |
| Edith M Smith Middle School Waukegan, IL | 5.2 |
| Heritage Middle School Lansing, IL | 5.2 |
| Rosa L Parks Middle School Dixmoor, IL | 5.2 |
| Central Intermediate School Monmouth, IL | 5.3 |
| Edison Jr High School Rock Island, IL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Matthews Middle School
What grades does Matthews Middle School serve?
Matthews Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Matthews Middle School?
Matthews Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Matthews Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Matthews Middle School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Matthews Middle School rank in IL?
Matthews Middle School is ranked #2956 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Matthews Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Matthews Middle School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Matthews Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Matthews Middle School has 21.5% math proficiency and 38.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Matthews Middle School a charter school?
No, Matthews Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Matthews Middle School a Title I school?
No, Matthews Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Matthews Middle School?
46.0% of students at Matthews 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
- Average (589/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Island Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (847) 526-6210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wauconda CUSD 118- District Enrollment
- 4,280
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,309
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.