Average
#1729 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 45% in state
South Middle School
Middle School · Arlington Heights SD 25
400 S Highland Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arlington Heights
#8 of 13
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#326 of 684
In district
#5 of 9
Arlington Heights SD 25
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About South Middle School
South Middle School serves 813 students in grades 6-8 in Arlington Heights, Illinois, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking #290 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, the school places in the 92nd percentile statewide. The strong academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence, with 47% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.
The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 67 full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction at a student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. This regular public school benefits from its location in an affluent suburban community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $95,765. South Middle School sits in the heart of Arlington Heights, a well-established large suburban area in Cook County with a population of over 29,000 residents and a low poverty rate of just 6.8%, creating a stable and supportive educational environment for middle school students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16%
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: 3.4/10.
How South Middle School Compares
See how South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
400 S Highland Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Holmes Jr High School (rated 8.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Mount Prospect), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carl Sandburg Jr High School (rated 5.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Rolling Meadows), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Thomas Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arlington Heights, see our Arlington Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF THE WAYSIDE SCHOOL Arlington Heights | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Westgate Elem School Arlington Heights | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Dryden Elem School Arlington Heights | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Juliette Low Elem School Arlington Heights | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Windsor Elementary School Arlington Heights | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington Heights | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Olive-Mary Stitt School Arlington Heights | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| ST VIATOR HIGH SCHOOL Arlington Heights | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Thomas Middle School Arlington Heights | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Carl Sandburg Jr High School Rolling Meadows | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Forest View Elem School Mount Prospect | 1.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Westbrook Early Learning Cntr Mt. Prospect | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Kimball Hill Elem School Rolling Meadows | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Holmes Jr High School Mount Prospect | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| The Early Learning Center Mt. Prospect | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Rolling Meadows High School Rolling Meadows | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Patton Elem School Arlington Heights | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Willow Bend Elem School Rolling Meadows | 1.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Prospect High School Mt. Prospect | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| John Hersey High School Arlington Heights | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60005 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,304
Median Home Value
$376,200
Median Rent
$1,621/mo
Population
29,022
College Educated
57.2%
Homeownership
63.4%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
42.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Middle School has a median household income of $100,304. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,200, with a median rent of $1,621/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| A Vito Martinez Middle School Romeoville, IL | 6.4 |
| Barrington Middle Sch Station Barrington, IL | 6.4 |
| Coolidge Junior High Sch Granite City, IL | 6.4 |
| Grigsby Intermediate School Granite City, IL | 6.4 |
| Helen Keller JHS Schaumburg, IL | 6.4 |
| Heritage Grove Middle School Plainfield, IL | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Middle School
What grades does South Middle School serve?
South Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Middle School?
South Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 813 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Middle School rank in IL?
South Middle School is ranked #1729 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 South Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle School has 49.0% math proficiency and 54.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Middle School a charter school?
No, South Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Middle School a Title I school?
No, South Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Middle School?
16.0% of students at South 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
- Elevated (945/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arlington Heights). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 813
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (847) 398-4250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington Heights SD 25- District Enrollment
- 5,303
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,806
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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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