Average
#2762 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
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Peoria
#21 of 34
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#526 of 684
In district
#16 of 25
Peoria SD 150
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Sterling Middle School
Sterling Middle School in Peoria, Illinois, is a regular public middle school serving students from fifth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 350 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school ensures that each student receives ample attention and support from its 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite having modest academic performance scores—MySchoolScout rates it at 3.4 out of 10 and places it in the 8th percentile among Illinois schools—it remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment focused on student development and growth.
Located in the heart of Peoria, Sterling Middle School benefits from its setting within a mid-size city, offering students access to diverse cultural and community resources. While academic scores indicate room for improvement, especially in ELA/Reading and Math proficiency levels, the school continues to work towards enhancing educational outcomes for all its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sterling Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sterling Middle School — Students at Sterling Middle School score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
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: 7.7/10.
How Sterling Middle School Compares
See how Sterling Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 0.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 5% (2022).
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 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harold B Dawson Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby West Peoria), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.9 |
| Pleasant Valley Intermediate Sch Peoria | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Peoria | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Quest Charter School Academy Peoria | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Harold B Dawson Middle School West Peoria | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Whittier Primary School Peoria | 1.6 mi | 2.9 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Franklin Primary School Peoria | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| The Elise Ford Allen Academy Peoria | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Peoria | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Peoria High School Peoria | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Manual High School Peoria | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Valeska Hinton Early Ch Ed Ctr Peoria | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Pleasant Valley Primary School Peoria | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Rolling Acres Middle School Peoria | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Peoria | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Trewyn Primary School Peoria | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sterling Middle School has a median household income of $50,628. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,000, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Bradley Central Middle School Bradley, IL | 5.4 |
| Brookwood Jr High School Glenwood, IL | 5.4 |
| Carlinville Middle School Carlinville, IL | 5.4 |
| Indian Creek Middle School Waterman, IL | 5.4 |
| Mt Carmel Junior High School Mount Carmel, IL | 5.4 |
| Shabbona Middle School Morris, IL | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #2762 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Sterling Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sterling Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Sterling Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Middle School has 2.8% math proficiency and 6.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,678/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Peoria). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (309) 672-6557
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Peoria SD 150- District Enrollment
- 12,713
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,400
- District Rank
- #16 of 25
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
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.