Excellent
#133 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 4% in state
Percy Julian Middle School
Middle School · Oak Park ESD 97
416 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Enrollment
902
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
902
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oak Park
#3 of 11
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#22 of 684
In district
#3 of 10
Oak Park ESD 97
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Percy Julian Middle School
Percy Julian Middle School serves 902 students in grades 6 through 8 in Oak Park, Illinois. A regular public school, it earns a composite score of 8.9 out of 10 — an Excellent rating — with an academic score of 8.3 and a standout growth score of 8.8. The student-teacher ratio of 11.3 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable across all three grade levels.
Percy Julian's statewide numbers are compelling. It ranks 22nd out of 684 Illinois middle schools, a top-4% result in a crowded field. Across all 3,813 Illinois public schools at every grade level, it places 142nd and outperforms 96% of the state.
In its own backyard, it claims the fourth spot out of 11 Oak Park public schools. The pairing of an 8.3 academic score with an 8.8 growth score sets Percy Julian apart from many Illinois middle schools. Growth tracks student progress over time, and 8.8 out of 10 is a strong result on that measure.
Both scores point toward a school that delivers consistent outcomes for students across the middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Percy Julian Middle School — Students at Percy Julian Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
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: 8.8/10.
How Percy Julian Middle School Compares
See how Percy Julian Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 41% (2022).
Location
416 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Percy Julian Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Whittier Elem School (rated 9.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Abraham Lincoln Elem School (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ALCUIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Oak Park, see our Oak Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| INTERCULTURAL MONTESSORI LANGUAGE SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.1 mi | — |
| FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Longfellow Elem School Oak Park | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| ST CATHERINE SIENA-ST LUCY SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| William Beye Elem School Oak Park | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Oak Park & River Forest High Sch Oak Park | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| LA CASA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.7 mi | — |
| LITTLE FOLKS COTTAGE DAYCARE & NURSERY Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| WEST SUBURBAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Irving Elem School Oak Park | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CORNERSTONE ACADEMY Oak Park | 0.9 mi | — |
| Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Oak Park | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| ALCUIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| THE FIELD SCHOOL Oak Park | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elem School Oak Park | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Whittier Elem School Oak Park | 1.2 mi | 9.5 |
| Ellington Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Depriest Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Catalyst Charter-Circle Rock ES Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Warren Park School Cicero | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,414
Median Home Value
$450,700
Median Rent
$1,348/mo
Population
32,589
College Educated
71.3%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
32.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Percy Julian Middle School has a median household income of $97,414. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $450,700, with a median rent of $1,348/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Highland Middle School Libertyville, IL | 8.8 |
| Summit Hill Junior High School Frankfort, IL | 8.9 |
| Chicago Heights Middle School Chicago Hts, IL | 8.7 |
| Chute Middle School Evanston, IL | 9.0 |
| Lake Zurich Middle - N Campus Hawthorn Woods, IL | 9.0 |
| Wilmette Junior High School Wilmette, IL | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Percy Julian Middle School
What grades does Percy Julian Middle School serve?
Percy Julian Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Percy Julian Middle School?
Percy Julian Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 902 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Percy Julian Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Percy Julian Middle School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Percy Julian Middle School rank in IL?
Percy Julian Middle School is ranked #133 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Percy Julian Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Percy Julian Middle School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Percy Julian Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Percy Julian Middle School has 41.5% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Percy Julian Middle School a charter school?
No, Percy Julian Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Percy Julian Middle School a Title I school?
No, Percy Julian Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Percy Julian Middle School?
21.1% of students at Percy Julian 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
- Walk Score
- 82 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 67 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 70 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,941/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oak Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 902
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 524-3040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oak Park ESD 97- District Enrollment
- 5,596
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,483
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
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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