Average
#1929 of 3,813 schools in IL
Shepherd Middle School
Middle School · Ottawa ESD 141
701 E McKinley Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#1,929 of 3,813
In Ottawa
#5 of 9
public schools
In district
#3 of 5
Ottawa ESD 141
School environment
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Shepherd Middle School
Middle School in Ottawa · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Intermediate School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mckinley Elem School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shepherd Middle School
Shepherd Middle School is a public middle school in Ottawa, IL, part of Ottawa ESD 141. Shepherd Middle School serves approximately 381 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Shepherd Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,929 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Shepherd Middle School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- IL avg 6.1
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shepherd Middle School — Students at Shepherd Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 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: 4.9/10.
How Shepherd Middle School Compares
See how Shepherd Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
701 E McKinley Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shepherd Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Serena Middle School (rated 8.3/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Serena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Intermediate School (rated 5.3/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Northlawn Jr High School (rated 3.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Streator), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ottawa, see our Ottawa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Intermediate School Ottawa | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| McKinley Elem School Ottawa | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Ottawa Township High School Ottawa | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Lincoln Elem School Ottawa | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Jefferson Elem School Ottawa | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge | 5.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Wallace Elem School Ottawa | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Rutland Elem School Ottawa | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Marseilles Elementary School Marseilles | 6.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Deer Park C C Elem School Ottawa | 7.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Centennial Elem School Streator | 12.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Waltham Elementary School Utica | 9.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Northlawn Jr High School Streator | 12.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Serena High School Serena | 12.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Serena Middle School Serena | 12.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Harding Grade School Earlville | 13.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Streator Twp High School Streator | 13.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Streator | 14.4 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61350 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,562
Median Home Value
$157,100
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
23,999
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
42.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Center Street Elem School Fairfield, IL | 6.2 |
| Jersey Community Middle School Jerseyville, IL | 6.2 |
| Kelvin Grove Jr High School Lockport, IL | 6.2 |
| Lincoln Middle School Schiller Park, IL | 6.2 |
| North Mac Middle School Girard, IL | 6.2 |
| Veterans Memorial Middle Sch Blue Island, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shepherd Middle School
What grades does Shepherd Middle School serve?
Shepherd Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Shepherd Middle School?
Shepherd Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 381 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Middle School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shepherd Middle School rank in IL?
Shepherd Middle School ranks #1,929 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Shepherd Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shepherd Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Shepherd Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shepherd Middle School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Shepherd Middle School a charter school?
No, Shepherd Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shepherd Middle School a Title I school?
No, Shepherd Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shepherd Middle School?
53.8% of students at Shepherd 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 381
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- LaSalle County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.1%
- Phone
- (815) 433-1133
Resources & Links
District
Ottawa ESD 141- District Enrollment
- 1,774
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,290
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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