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Average

#2098 of 3,813 schools in IL

Prairie-hills Junior High School

Middle School · Prairie-Hills ESD 144

16315 Richmond, Markham, IL 60428

Enrollment

820

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Markham

#2 of 4

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#399 of 684

In district

#1 of 8

Prairie-Hills ESD 144

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Prairie-hills Junior High School

Prairie-Hills Junior High School serves students in grades 6 through 8 in Markham, Illinois, a large suburban community in Cook County. The school educates approximately 820 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8 to 1, supported by 52 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Prairie-Hills is working to strengthen student performance.

English language arts proficiency averages 12% across grades, while math proficiency averages 8%. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks in the 12th percentile statewide, indicating significant room for academic growth. These results suggest the school is focusing on building foundational skills and student achievement across core subjects.

As a regular public middle school, Prairie-Hills provides an important educational anchor for the Markham area, serving the community's youngest secondary students during a critical developmental period.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency9%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)5%
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,973

Prairie-hills Junior High School — Students at Prairie-hills Junior High School score 8% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.7%
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
10%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
9%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Prairie-hills Junior High School Compares

See how Prairie-hills Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in IL
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

16315 Richmond, Markham, IL 60428

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie-hills Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jesse C White Learning Academy (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Hazel Crest), which scores notably higher. Another option is Barack H Obama Learning Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHILREN'S HABILITATION CENTER (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Harvey), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Markham, see our Markham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Prairie-Hills STEAM Academy Markham 0.1 mi 4.7
Primary Learning Center Markham 0.4 mi
PHENOMENAL KIDS ACADEMEY INC Markham 0.9 mi
Jesse C White Learning Academy Hazel Crest 1.0 mi 8.3
Highlands Elem School Hazel Crest 1.0 mi 3.3
Markham Park Elem School Markham 0.9 mi 4.2
Nob Hill Elem School Country Club Hills 1.1 mi 5.0
Riley Early Childhood Center Harvey 1.4 mi 5.5
Mae Jemison School Hazel Crest 1.8 mi 4.4
Maya Angelou Elem Sch Harvey 1.6 mi 4.0
CHILREN'S HABILITATION CENTER Harvey 1.8 mi 6.7
Hillcrest High School Country Club Hills 1.8 mi 5.1
Central Park Elem School Midlothian 2.0 mi 6.1
Chateaux School Hazel Crest 2.1 mi 4.5
Fieldcrest Elem School Oak Forest 1.7 mi 5.4
Spaulding School Midlothian 2.3 mi 4.9
Barack H Obama Learning Academy Markham 1.8 mi 7.8
Bremen High School Midlothian 2.1 mi 5.3
Posen Elem School Posen 2.5 mi 6.0
Rosa L Parks Middle School Dixmoor 2.4 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60428 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,059

Median Home Value

$118,900

Median Rent

$1,686/mo

Population

10,980

College Educated

16.1%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

34.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

34.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie-hills Junior High School has a median household income of $53,059. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,900, with a median rent of $1,686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. 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
Bloomington Jr High School Bloomington, IL 6.1
Glenside Middle School Glendale Heights, IL 6.1
Henry W Cowherd Middle School Aurora, IL 6.1
Hufford Junior High School Joliet, IL 6.1
John Deere Middle School Moline, IL 6.1
Kankakee Junior High School Kankakee, IL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie-hills Junior High School

What grades does Prairie-hills Junior High School serve?

Prairie-hills Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Prairie-hills Junior High School?

Prairie-hills Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie-hills Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie-hills Junior High School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie-hills Junior High School rank in IL?

Prairie-hills Junior High School is ranked #2098 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Prairie-hills Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie-hills Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Prairie-hills Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie-hills Junior High School has 8.5% math proficiency and 11.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie-hills Junior High School a charter school?

No, Prairie-hills Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Prairie-hills Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Prairie-hills Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie-hills Junior High School?

95.4% of students at Prairie-hills Junior High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (42/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Prairie-Hills ESD 144
District Enrollment
2,542
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,068
District Rank
#1 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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