Very Good
#1153 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 30% in state
Zion Central Middle School
Middle School · Zion ESD 6
1716 27th St, Zion, IL 60099
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zion
#2 of 9
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#208 of 684
In district
#2 of 7
Zion ESD 6
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Zion Central Middle School
Zion Central Middle School is a regular public school located in Zion, Illinois, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 342 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. The teaching staff includes 29 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students.
Academically, Zion Central Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks at number 1955 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 49th percentile state-wide. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 8% for all grades combined, with a similar performance in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the staff remains committed to focusing on student development and growth.
Zion Central Middle School is situated in a large suburban area of Lake County, providing students with easy access to local amenities and recreational activities. The school community offers a supportive environment where students can grow both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Zion Central 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
Zion Central Middle School — Students at Zion Central Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.3%
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: 8.7/10.
How Zion Central Middle School Compares
See how Zion Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 9% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 7% (2022).
Location
1716 27th St, Zion, IL 60099
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zion Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Beach Park Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Beach Park), with a comparable rating. Another option is Shiloh Park Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, North Prairie Jr High (rated 4.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Winthrop Harbor), a more accessible option. For more schools in Zion, see our Zion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shiloh Park Middle School Zion | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Elmwood Elem School Zion | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Zion | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| New Tech High - Zion-Benton East Zion | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Lakeview School Zion | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| East Elementary School Zion | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Beulah Park Elem School Zion | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| West Elementary School Zion | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| OUR LADY OF HUMILITY SCHOOL Beach Park | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Kenneth Murphy School Beach Park | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Howe Elementary School Beach Park | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Westfield School Winthrop Harbor | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Oak Crest School Beach Park | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Zion-Benton Twnshp Hi Sch Zion | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| North Prairie Jr High Winthrop Harbor | 2.7 mi | 4.1 |
| LAKE COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL Waukegan | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Beach Park Middle School Beach Park | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| H R McCall Elem School Waukegan | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| John S Clark Elem School Waukegan | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Little Fort Elem School Waukegan | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60099 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,647
Median Home Value
$190,300
Median Rent
$1,131/mo
Population
30,485
College Educated
16.4%
Homeownership
62.8%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zion Central Middle School has a median household income of $65,647. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,300, with a median rent of $1,131/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alan B Shepard Middle School Deerfield, IL | 7.1 |
| Albany Park Multicultural Elem Chicago, IL | 7.1 |
| Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest, IL | 7.1 |
| Gavin South Middle School Ingleside, IL | 7.1 |
| Genoa-Kingston Middle School Genoa, IL | 7.1 |
| Meridian Jr High School Stillman Valley, IL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zion Central Middle School
What grades does Zion Central Middle School serve?
Zion Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Zion Central Middle School?
Zion Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Zion Central Middle School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Zion Central Middle School rank in IL?
Zion Central Middle School is ranked #1153 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Zion Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion Central Middle School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Zion Central Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zion Central Middle School has 8.3% math proficiency and 8.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Zion Central Middle School a charter school?
No, Zion Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Zion Central Middle School a Title I school?
No, Zion Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zion Central Middle School?
74.3% of students at Zion Central 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Zion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 342
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (847) 379-0227
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Zion ESD 6- District Enrollment
- 2,161
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,368
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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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