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Excellent

#376 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 10% 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

8.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#376 of 3,813

In Arlington Heights

#3 of 13

public schools

In district

#2 of 9

Arlington Heights SD 25

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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South Middle School

8.3/10

Middle School in Arlington Heights · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Our Lady of the Wayside School

6.3/10

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

Westgate Elem School

8.0/10

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

About South Middle School

South Middle School is a public middle school in Arlington Heights, IL, part of Arlington Heights SD 25. South Middle School serves approximately 813 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. South Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #376 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for South Middle School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • IL avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,806
Chronic Absenteeism12.1%

South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
95%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2022
ELA
47%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How South Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
90th percentile in IL
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

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. Thomas Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Holmes Jr High School (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Mount Prospect), a more accessible option. Additionally, Carl Sandburg Jr High School (rated 6.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Rolling Meadows), a more accessible option. 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 8.0
Dryden Elem School Arlington Heights 0.9 mi 7.1
Juliette Low Elem School Arlington Heights 1.4 mi 4.1
Windsor Elementary School Arlington Heights 1.1 mi 7.8
ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington Heights 1.5 mi 6.3
Olive-Mary Stitt School Arlington Heights 1.6 mi 7.9
ST VIATOR HIGH SCHOOL Arlington Heights 1.5 mi 5.1
Thomas Middle School Arlington Heights 1.8 mi 7.4
Carl Sandburg Jr High School Rolling Meadows 1.4 mi 6.0
Forest View Elem School Mount Prospect 1.8 mi 6.4
Westbrook Early Learning Cntr Mt. Prospect 1.6 mi 5.7
Kimball Hill Elem School Rolling Meadows 1.6 mi 6.1
Holmes Jr High School Mount Prospect 1.9 mi 6.3
The Early Learning Center Mt. Prospect 2.0 mi 6.1
Rolling Meadows High School Rolling Meadows 1.7 mi 7.9
Patton Elem School Arlington Heights 2.2 mi 6.8
Willow Bend Elem School Rolling Meadows 1.9 mi 6.5
Prospect High School Mt. Prospect 1.9 mi 9.1
John Hersey High School Arlington Heights 2.3 mi 9.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A Vito Martinez Middle School Romeoville, IL 8.3
Hadley Junior High School Glen Ellyn, IL 8.3
Sandburg Middle School Elmhurst, IL 8.3
Chippewa Middle School Des Plaines, IL 8.4
Hawthorn Middle School South Vernon Hills, IL 8.4
Jane Addams JHS Schaumburg, IL 8.4

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 ranks #376 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 South Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Middle School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

District

Arlington Heights SD 25
District Enrollment
5,303
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,806
District Rank
#2 of 9

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