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Below Average

#3334 of 3,813 schools in IL

Zion Central Middle School

Middle School · Zion ESD 6

1716 27th St, Zion, IL 60099

Enrollment

342

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,334 of 3,813

In Zion

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

Zion ESD 6

School environment

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Zion Central Middle School

4.4/10

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

Shiloh Park Middle School

4.5/10

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

Elmwood Elem School

4.7/10

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

About Zion Central Middle School

Zion Central Middle School is a public middle school in Zion, IL, part of Zion ESD 6. Zion Central Middle School serves approximately 342 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Zion Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,334 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Zion Central Middle School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Zion Central 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 Progress3.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,368
Chronic Absenteeism43.6%

Zion Central Middle School — Students at Zion Central Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.9% (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
73%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
9%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
11%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
11%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
ELA
7%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Zion Central Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in IL
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.6%

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. North Prairie Jr High (rated 4.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Winthrop Harbor), with a very similar rating. Another option is Shiloh Park Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Beach Park Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Beach Park), with a comparable rating. 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 4.5
Elmwood Elem School Zion 0.5 mi 4.7
OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Zion 0.5 mi 6.3
New Tech High - Zion-Benton East Zion 0.6 mi 6.2
Lakeview School Zion 0.6 mi 3.3
East Elementary School Zion 0.7 mi 3.5
Beulah Park Elem School Zion 1.0 mi 3.6
West Elementary School Zion 0.9 mi 3.3
OUR LADY OF HUMILITY SCHOOL Beach Park 1.2 mi 8.4
Kenneth Murphy School Beach Park 1.5 mi 3.1
Howe Elementary School Beach Park 1.9 mi 3.5
Westfield School Winthrop Harbor 2.2 mi 6.5
Oak Crest School Beach Park 2.0 mi 6.3
Zion-Benton Twnshp Hi Sch Zion 1.7 mi 6.6
North Prairie Jr High Winthrop Harbor 2.7 mi 4.7
LAKE COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL Waukegan 2.6 mi 8.3
Beach Park Middle School Beach Park 2.2 mi 3.8
H R McCall Elem School Waukegan 2.9 mi 6.3
John S Clark Elem School Waukegan 3.3 mi 6.7
Little Fort Elem School Waukegan 3.5 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blue Ridge Intermediate-Jr HS Mansfield, IL 4.4
Morrison Jr High School Morrison, IL 4.4
Rochester Intermediate School Rochester, IL 4.4
Auburn Jr High at Divernon Divernon, IL 4.5
Central Jr High School East Peoria, IL 4.5
Clinton Jr High School Clinton, IL 4.5

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 ranks #3,334 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Zion Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Zion Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Zion Central Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Zion Central Middle School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.6%

District

Zion ESD 6
District Enrollment
2,161
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,368
District Rank
#3 of 7

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