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Average

#1969 of 3,813 schools in IL

Unity JR High School

Middle School · Cicero SD 99

2115 S 54th Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

Enrollment

1,948

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cicero

#6 of 17

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#371 of 684

In district

#5 of 15

Cicero SD 99

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Unity JR High School

Unity Jr High School serves 1,948 students in grades 7-8 in Cicero, Illinois, making it a notably large middle school in the Cook County area. With 139 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a reasonable 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention than many larger institutions. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 13% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading across grade levels, indicating significant room for academic growth.

Unity Jr High ranks in the 22nd percentile among Illinois middle schools, reflecting the need for continued focus on student development and educational support. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $64,325 and median home values reach $224,300. With 11% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.1%, the neighborhood presents both opportunities and challenges that influence the educational environment.

Unity Jr High School sits in Cicero's large suburban setting, serving a substantial student population in a community that values education while working to overcome economic and academic hurdles. The school's size allows for diverse programming opportunities, though academic performance suggests ongoing efforts to better serve its nearly 2,000 middle school students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Unity JR High 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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,733

Unity JR High School — Students at Unity JR High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
13%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Unity JR High School Compares

See how Unity JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in IL
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
139 teachers

Location

2115 S 54th Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Unity JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Columbus East Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cicero East Elem School (rated 5.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cicero, see our Cicero schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Sherlock Elem School Cicero 0.2 mi 6.6
J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr Cicero 0.3 mi 5.2
Cicero West Elementary School Cicero 0.5 mi 4.1
T Roosevelt Elem School Cicero 0.6 mi 4.5
Woodrow Wilson Elem School Cicero 0.6 mi 5.3
Liberty Elem School Cicero 0.9 mi 7.5
Cicero East Elem School Cicero 1.1 mi 5.6
Columbus East Elem School Cicero 1.2 mi 6.8
J Sterling Morton East High Sch Cicero 0.9 mi 6.5
Columbus West Elementary School Cicero 1.2 mi 5.8
Daniel Burnham Elem School Cicero 1.0 mi 3.7
ST FRANCES OF ROME Cicero 1.0 mi 5.0
Goodwin Elementary School Cicero 1.1 mi 4.9
Clark G R Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 6.2
Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl Chicago 1.4 mi 7.2
Plato Learning Acad Elem School Chicago 1.4 mi 6.1
Warren Park School Cicero 1.2 mi 6.9
Leland Elem School Chicago 1.5 mi 7.0
District 99 Early Childhood Ctr Cicero 1.6 mi 4.7
CHRIST THE KING JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chicago 1.7 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,548

Median Home Value

$236,000

Median Rent

$1,121/mo

Population

83,223

College Educated

11%

Homeownership

54.6%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Unity JR High School has a median household income of $68,548. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,000, with a median rent of $1,121/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Wredling Middle School Saint Charles, IL 6.5
Carpentersville Middle School Carpentersville, IL 5.8
Marlowe Middle School Lake In The Hills, IL 5.7
Quincy Jr High School Quincy, IL 6.9
Thompson Middle School Saint Charles, IL 7.2
Dundee Middle School Dundee, IL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Unity JR High School

What grades does Unity JR High School serve?

Unity JR High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Unity JR High School?

Unity JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,948 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Unity JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Unity JR High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Unity JR High School rank in IL?

Unity JR High School is ranked #1969 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Unity JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Unity JR High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Unity JR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Unity JR High School has 8.5% math proficiency and 14.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Unity JR High School a charter school?

No, Unity JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Unity JR High School a Title I school?

No, Unity JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Unity JR High School?

62.8% of students at Unity JR High 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
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
64 Good Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,593/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cicero). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,948
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
139
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cicero SD 99
District Enrollment
8,598
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,162
District Rank
#5 of 15

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 methodology

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