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Needs Improvement

#3615 of 3,813 schools in IL

Sterling Middle School

Middle School · Peoria SD 150

2315 N Sterling Ave, Peoria, IL 61604

Enrollment

350

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

3.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,615 of 3,813

In Peoria

#28 of 34

public schools

In district

#20 of 25

Peoria SD 150

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Sterling Middle School

3.7/10

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

Dr Maude a Sanders Primary School

2.4/10

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

Pleasant Valley Intermediate Sch

7.4/10

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

About Sterling Middle School

Sterling Middle School is a public middle school in Peoria, IL, part of Peoria SD 150. Sterling Middle School serves approximately 350 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sterling Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,615 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Sterling Middle School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

58% of students at Sterling 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)10% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,400
Chronic Absenteeism58%

Sterling Middle School — Students at Sterling Middle School score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.4% (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
64%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
29%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
4%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
7%
ELA
11%
2017
Math
9%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
11%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
11%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
4%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
4%
2022
ELA
5%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Sterling Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
5th percentile in IL
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.0%

Location

2315 N Sterling Ave, Peoria, IL 61604

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasant Valley Intermediate Sch (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harold B Dawson Middle School (rated 2.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby West Peoria), a more accessible option. For more schools in Peoria, see our Peoria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria 0.9 mi 2.4
Pleasant Valley Intermediate Sch Peoria 1.1 mi 7.4
HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Peoria 1.2 mi 7.6
Quest Charter School Academy Peoria 1.0 mi 4.4
Harold B Dawson Middle School West Peoria 1.4 mi 2.5
Whittier Primary School Peoria 1.6 mi 5.4
ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Peoria 1.6 mi 5.3
ST MARK SCHOOL Peoria 1.7 mi 7.7
Dr. C.T. Vivian Primary School Peoria 1.7 mi 4.2
Franklin Primary School Peoria 1.7 mi 3.8
The Elise Ford Allen Academy Peoria 2.0 mi 2.5
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Peoria 2.2 mi 6.9
Peoria High School Peoria 1.9 mi 6.2
Manual High School Peoria 2.4 mi 4.1
Valeska Hinton Early Ch Ed Ctr Peoria 2.1 mi 5.8
Pleasant Valley Primary School Peoria 2.0 mi 4.1
Rolling Acres Middle School Peoria 2.9 mi 4.6
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Peoria 2.9 mi 5.3
Trewyn Primary School Peoria 3.0 mi 6.4
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Peoria 2.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,628

Median Home Value

$100,000

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

27,502

College Educated

22.2%

Homeownership

68.1%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

19.4%

Median Age

40.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Knoxville Jr High School Knoxville, IL 3.7
Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac, IL 3.7
Murphysboro Middle School Murphysboro, IL 3.8
North Boone Middle School Poplar Grove, IL 3.8
Washington Middle School Johnston City, IL 3.8
Beverly Manor Elementary School Washington, IL 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Middle School

What grades does Sterling Middle School serve?

Sterling Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Sterling Middle School?

Sterling Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Middle School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Middle School rank in IL?

Sterling Middle School ranks #3,615 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Sterling Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Sterling Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sterling Middle School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Sterling Middle School a charter school?

No, Sterling Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sterling Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sterling Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling Middle School?

86.6% of students at Sterling 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
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Peoria County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.0%

District

Peoria SD 150
District Enrollment
12,713
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,400
District Rank
#20 of 25

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