Average
#1274 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 33% in state
Shields Middle School
Middle School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
2611 W 48th St, Chicago, IL 60632
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#225 of 629
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#229 of 684
In district
#223 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Shields Middle School
Shields Middle School is a regular public school located in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from fifth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 376 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, Shields provides personalized attention to support each student's learning journey. The school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to help their students grow academically and socially.
Shields Middle School ranks 3275th out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 14th percentile according to MySchoolScout ratings. Its academic score is 1.9/10, indicating that there's significant room for improvement in areas like ELA and math proficiency, where only 12% and 6% of students respectively are considered proficient or above. Despite these challenges, Shields Middle School continues to focus on student development and works tirelessly to enhance educational outcomes.
The school is situated in a bustling part of the city, offering students access to diverse cultural experiences and resources within Chicago's vibrant community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shields Middle School — Students at Shields Middle School score 6% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Shields Middle School Compares
See how Shields Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 9% (2022).
Location
2611 W 48th St, Chicago, IL 60632
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shields Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Back of The Yards IB HS (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thomas Kelly College Preparatory (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hedges Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Acero Chtr-Brighton Park Elem Sch Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Nightingale Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Shields Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Gunsaulus Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Talman Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Carson Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Gage Park High School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Hedges Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Sawyer Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,576
Median Home Value
$240,600
Median Rent
$1,057/mo
Population
87,831
College Educated
13.3%
Homeownership
57.9%
Avg Commute
32.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shields Middle School has a median household income of $60,576. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $240,600, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Elden D Finley Jr High School Chicago Ridge, IL | 6.9 |
| Northlake Middle School Northlake, IL | 6.9 |
| Northwest Middle School Chicago, IL | 6.9 |
| Three Rivers School Channahon, IL | 6.9 |
| West Oak Middle School Mundelein, IL | 6.9 |
| Westchester Middle School Westchester, IL | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shields Middle School
What grades does Shields Middle School serve?
Shields Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Shields Middle School?
Shields Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shields Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shields Middle School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shields Middle School rank in IL?
Shields Middle School is ranked #1274 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Shields Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shields Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Shields Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shields Middle School has 6.3% math proficiency and 11.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shields Middle School a charter school?
No, Shields Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shields Middle School a Title I school?
No, Shields Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shields Middle School?
95.5% of students at Shields 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
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-7115
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #223 of 621
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.