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Very Good

#857 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 22% in state

Neal Math Science Academy

Middle School · North Chicago SD 187

1905 Argonne Dr, North Chicago, IL 60064

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Chicago

#1 of 6

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#151 of 684

In district

#2 of 8

North Chicago SD 187

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Neal Math Science Academy

Neal Math Science Academy is a middle school located in North Chicago, Illinois. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 545 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. Located on Argonne Drive, the school benefits from being situated in a large suburban area that offers both urban amenities and a more relaxed setting.

The academic performance at Neal Math Science Academy is currently rated 2.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, with a state ranking of 1958 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 49th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, only 7% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 4% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is significant room for academic growth at Neal Math Science Academy.

Despite these challenges, the school has a dedicated staff of 39 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' development. The setting around Neal Math Science Academy provides a mix of suburban and urban influences, offering its students a variety of community resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)4%
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,003

Neal Math Science Academy — Students at Neal Math Science Academy score 7% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 4%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
8%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
3%
2022
ELA
11%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Neal Math Science Academy Compares

See how Neal Math Science Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
78th percentile in IL
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

1905 Argonne Dr, North Chicago, IL 60064

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Neal Math Science Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John R Lewis Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Waukegan), with a comparable rating. Another option is Robert E Abbott Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Waukegan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Miguel Juarez Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Waukegan), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Chicago, see our North Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
North Chicago Community High Sch North Chicago 0.3 mi 6.7
A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago 0.4 mi 6.6
LEARN 10 Charter School North Chicago 0.6 mi 6.4
Green Bay Early Childhood Center North Chicago 0.7 mi 7.2
Lyon Magnet Elementary School Waukegan 1.4 mi 4.2
Evelyn Alexander School North Chicago 1.2 mi 7.1
LEARN Chtr Sch 6 N Chicago Campus Great Lakes 1.4 mi 6.6
John R Lewis Middle School Waukegan 1.6 mi 6.8
Forrestal Elem School Great Lakes 1.6 mi 7.7
Carman-Buckner Elem School Waukegan 1.9 mi 7.4
MENTA ACADEMY NORTH Waukegan 2.1 mi 5.9
Washington Elem School Waukegan 2.3 mi 4.6
Robert E Abbott Middle School Waukegan 2.5 mi 6.3
Andrew Cooke Magnet Elem School Waukegan 2.3 mi 4.7
Waukegan High School Waukegan 2.5 mi 5.1
Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan 2.7 mi 5.6
Lake Bluff Elem Sch Lake Bluff 2.8 mi 9.8
Hyde Park Elem School Waukegan 2.9 mi 5.4
MOST BLESSED TRINITY ACADEMY Waukegan 2.9 mi 7.7
FOREST BLUFF SCHOOL Lake Bluff 3.1 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,256

Median Home Value

$139,900

Median Rent

$1,069/mo

Population

15,047

College Educated

14.9%

Homeownership

42.2%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

29.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Neal Math Science Academy has a median household income of $49,256. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,900, with a median rent of $1,069/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Algonquin Middle School Des Plaines, IL 7.3
Bryan Middle School Elmhurst, IL 7.3
Cass Jr High School Darien, IL 7.3
Central Middle School Tinley Park, IL 7.3
Colin Powell Middle Sch Matteson, IL 7.3
Jay Stream Middle School Carol Stream, IL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Neal Math Science Academy

What grades does Neal Math Science Academy serve?

Neal Math Science Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Neal Math Science Academy?

Neal Math Science Academy has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Neal Math Science Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Neal Math Science Academy is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Neal Math Science Academy rank in IL?

Neal Math Science Academy is ranked #857 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Neal Math Science Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Neal Math Science Academy has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Neal Math Science Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Neal Math Science Academy has 4.0% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Neal Math Science Academy a charter school?

No, Neal Math Science Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Neal Math Science Academy a Title I school?

No, Neal Math Science Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Neal Math Science Academy?

98.3% of students at Neal Math Science Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (742/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Chicago SD 187
District Enrollment
3,483
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,023
District Rank
#2 of 8

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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