Average
#1400 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 37% in state
Shepherd Middle School
Middle School · Ottawa ESD 141
701 E McKinley Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ottawa
#5 of 9
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#255 of 684
In district
#3 of 5
Ottawa ESD 141
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Shepherd Middle School
Shepherd Middle School is a regular public school located in Ottawa, Illinois, on East McKinley Road. Serving students in grades seven and eight, the school has an enrollment of 381 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Shepherd Middle School places it around the 57th percentile among Illinois schools, reflecting room for improvement in test scores where only 28% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 22% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school is committed to supporting student development and growth. Shepherd Middle School is situated in a small town setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere that encourages involvement and support from both staff and families.
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: 24%).
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 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: 6.9/10.
How Shepherd Middle School Compares
See how Shepherd Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 18% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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 8.2/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Serena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Intermediate School (rated 5.5/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Northlawn Jr High School (rated 4.1/10, 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 | 5.5 |
| McKinley Elem School Ottawa | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Ottawa Township High School Ottawa | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Lincoln Elem School Ottawa | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Jefferson Elem School Ottawa | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge | 5.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Wallace Elem School Ottawa | 6.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Rutland Elem School Ottawa | 6.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Marseilles Elementary School Marseilles | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Deer Park C C Elem School Ottawa | 7.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Centennial Elem School Streator | 12.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Waltham Elementary School Utica | 9.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Northlawn Jr High School Streator | 12.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Serena High School Serena | 12.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Serena Middle School Serena | 12.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Harding Grade School Earlville | 13.2 mi | 9.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shepherd Middle School has a median household income of $77,562. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,100, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbus East Elem School Cicero, IL | 6.8 |
| Freeport Middle School Freeport, IL | 6.8 |
| Geo T Wilkins Jr High School Justice, IL | 6.8 |
| Orion Middle School Orion, IL | 6.8 |
| Wm F Gurrie Middle School La Grange, IL | 6.8 |
| Carbondale Middle School Carbondale, IL | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1400 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Shepherd Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shepherd Middle School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Shepherd Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shepherd Middle School has 22.5% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,688/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ottawa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 433-1133
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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