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Average

#1609 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 42% 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

6.5

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,609 of 3,813

In Chicago

#226 of 630

public schools

In district

#222 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Shields Middle School

6.5/10

Middle School in Chicago · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Christopher Elem School

3.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Noble St Chtr - Mansueto

5.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Shields Middle School

Shields Middle School is a public middle school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Shields Middle School serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Shields Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,609 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Shields Middle School show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2021) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Shields Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-3.84 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency6% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)6% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment6.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism47.9%

Shields Middle School — Students at Shields Middle School score 6% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.9% (multi-year average, 2012-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.8% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 21 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2012
Math
46%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
14%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
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 Shields Middle School Compares

See how Shields Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
58th percentile in IL
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

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. Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Back of The Yards IB HS (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem (rated 7.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 3.5
Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago 0.4 mi 5.5
Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago 0.5 mi 8.5
Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago 0.4 mi 7.7
Acero Chtr-Brighton Park Elem Sch Chicago 0.5 mi 7.6
Nightingale Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 6.0
Shields Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 4.6
Gunsaulus Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago 0.7 mi 5.5
POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago 0.7 mi 6.2
Talman Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.0
Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago 0.6 mi 8.1
Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago 0.9 mi 7.2
Carson Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.1
Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr Chicago 0.9 mi 6.2
Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 7.6
Gage Park High School Chicago 1.1 mi 4.9
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago 0.8 mi 5.9
Hedges Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.3
Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago 1.2 mi 7.5
Sawyer Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Breese Elem School Breese, IL 6.5
Cicero East Elem School Cicero, IL 6.5
Anna Junior High School Anna, IL 6.4
Chillicothe Jr High Chillicothe, IL 6.4
Jefferson Middle School Villa Park, IL 6.6
Nuttall Middle School Robinson, IL 6.6

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 ranks #1,609 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Shields Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shields Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Shields Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shields Middle School has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2021) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
65 Good Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

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