Excellent
#252 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 7% in state
Palos South Middle School
Middle School · Palos CCSD 118
13100 S 82nd Ave, Palos Park, IL 60464
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palos Park
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#44 of 684
In district
#1 of 3
Palos CCSD 118
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Palos South Middle School
Palos South Middle School is a public middle school in Palos Park, IL, part of the Palos CCSD 118. The school serves approximately 705 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 93.4th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 48% proficiency in math and 63% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $126,220, where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palos South Middle School — Students at Palos South Middle School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Palos South Middle School Compares
See how Palos South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 44% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 65% (2022).
Location
13100 S 82nd Ave, Palos Park, IL 60464
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palos South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Independence Jr High School (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Palos Heights), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jerling Junior High School (rated 6.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Orland Park), a more accessible option. Additionally, Worth Jr High School (rated 6.6/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Worth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palos Park, see our Palos Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60464 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,220
Median Home Value
$463,100
Median Rent
$2,058/mo
Population
9,889
College Educated
50.3%
Homeownership
88%
Avg Commute
34.9 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
55.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palos South Middle School has a median household income of $126,220. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $463,100, with a median rent of $2,058/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Clarendon Hills Middle School Clarendon Hills, IL | 8.3 |
| Cooper Middle School Buffalo Grove, IL | 8.5 |
| Creekside Middle School Woodstock, IL | 8.3 |
| Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines, IL | 8.5 |
| Hawthorn Middle School South Vernon Hills, IL | 8.5 |
| Holmes Jr High School Mount Prospect, IL | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palos South Middle School
What grades does Palos South Middle School serve?
Palos South Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Palos South Middle School?
Palos South Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 705 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palos South Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palos South Middle School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palos South Middle School rank in IL?
Palos South Middle School is ranked #252 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Palos South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palos South Middle School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Palos South Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palos South Middle School has 47.5% math proficiency and 63.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palos South Middle School a charter school?
No, Palos South Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palos South Middle School a Title I school?
No, Palos South Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palos South Middle School?
32.6% of students at Palos South 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palos Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 705
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 448-5971
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palos CCSD 118- District Enrollment
- 2,116
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,462
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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