Top 10 Most Improved Public Middle Schools in Illinois (2025)

The most improved public middle schools in Illinois are Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School, Lebanon High School and Bluffs Junior High School.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2020-25).
Improved Rank Range: 590 1,011 Avg. Improved Rank: 733

Most Improved Public Middle Schools in Illinois (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2020-25)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Cowden-herrick Jr/sr High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +1011
(from 2,291 to 1,280)
Grades: 6-12
633 County Highway 22
Cowden, IL 62422
(217) 783-2125
Rank: #22.
Lebanon High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +986
(from 2,884 to 1,898)
Grades: 6-12
200 W Schuetz St
Lebanon, IL 62254
(618) 537-4423
Rank: #33.
Bluffs Junior High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +958
(from 2,177 to 1,219)
Grades: 6-8
100 W Rockwood St
Bluffs, IL 62621
(217) 754-3815
Rank: #44.
Laraway School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +929
(from 3,321 to 2,392)
Grades: PK-8
1715 Rowell Ave
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 727-5115
Rank: #55.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +908
(from 3,141 to 2,233)
Grades: PK-8
4804 Harrison St
Hillside, IL 60162
(708) 449-6491
Rank: #66.
Grissom Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +897
(from 2,435 to 1,538)
Grades: PK-8
12810 S Escanaba Ave
Chicago, IL 60633
(773) 535-5380
Rank: #77.
Wyvetter Younge Sch Of Excellence
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +859
(from 3,437 to 2,578)
Grades: K-8
3939 Caseyville Ave
East Saint Louis, IL 62204
(618) 646-3930
Rank: #88.
Cobden Jr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +843
(from 2,232 to 1,389)
Grades: 6-8
413 N Appleknocker St
Cobden, IL 62920
(618) 893-4031
Rank: #99.
Chicago World Language Academy
(Math: 24% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +841
(from 1,695 to 854)
Grades: K-8
1340 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7000
Rank: #1010.
Great Lakes Academy Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +786
(from 3,216 to 2,430)
Grades: K-8
8401 S Saginaw Ave
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 503-3040
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Armstrong-ellis Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +779
(from 2,158 to 1,379)
Grades: K-8
3571 Gifford Ave
Armstrong, IL 61812
(217) 569-2115
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Bradford Jr High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +779
(from 2,158 to 1,379)
Grades: 6-8
115 High St
Bradford, IL 61421
(309) 897-2801
Rank: #1313.
Ransom Grade School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +737
(from 2,177 to 1,440)
Grades: K-8
400 S Lane St
Ransom, IL 60470
(815) 586-4611
Rank: #1414.
International Prep Academy
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +735
(from 2,839 to 2,104)
Grades: PK-8
1605 W Kirby Ave
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-3995
Rank: #1515.
Plt Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +725
(from 2,024 to 1,299)
Grades: 6-8
38 Ferry St
Prophetstown, IL 61277
(815) 537-5084
Rank: #1616.
Cics - Washington Pk Campus
Charter School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +717
(from 3,281 to 2,564)
Grades: K-8
110 E 61st St
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 347-0200
Rank: #1717.
Galena Elementary And Middle School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +703
(from 1,269 to 566)
Grades: PK-8
219 Kelly Ln
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-2200
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Grayville Jr Sr High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +692
(from 2,530 to 1,838)
Grades: 6-12
728 W North St
Grayville, IL 62844
(618) 375-7114
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Evansville Attendance Center
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +692
(from 2,641 to 1,949)
Grades: K-8
701 Oak St
Evansville, IL 62242
(618) 853-4411
Rank: #2020.
Ladd Comm Cons School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +686
(from 2,453 to 1,767)
Grades: PK-8
232 E Cleveland St
Ladd, IL 61329
(815) 894-2363
Rank: #2121.
Harrisburg Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +671
(from 2,432 to 1,761)
Grades: 6-8
312 Bulldog Blvd
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 253-7637
Rank: #2222.
West Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +665
(from 2,291 to 1,626)
Grades: PK-8
6700 N Whipple St
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-8250
Rank: #2323.
Mulberry Grove Jr High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +658
(from 2,556 to 1,898)
Grades: 6-8
801 W Wall St
Mulberry Grove, IL 62262
(618) 326-8812
Rank: #2424.
Oriole Park Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +636
(from 1,492 to 856)
Grades: PK-8
5424 N Oketo Ave
Chicago, IL 60656
(773) 534-1201
Rank: #2525.
Colemon J Elementary Academy
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +630
(from 2,958 to 2,328)
Grades: PK-8
1441 W 119th St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 535-3975
Rank: #2626.
Healy Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +628
(from 1,086 to 458)
Grades: K-8
3010 S Parnell Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 534-9190
Rank: #2727.
Staunton Jr High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +622
(from 1,642 to 1,020)
Grades: 6-8
801 N Deneen St
Staunton, IL 62088
(618) 635-3831
Rank: #2828.
Lostant Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +619
(from 1,295 to 676)
Grades: K-8
315 W 3rd St
Lostant, IL 61334
(815) 368-3392
Rank: #2929.
Black Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +617
(from 2,453 to 1,836)
Grades: K-8
9101 S Euclid Ave
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 535-6390
Rank: #3030.
Smyser Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +614
(from 2,291 to 1,677)
Grades: PK-8
4310 N Melvina Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 534-3711
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Neponset Grade School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +613
(from 1,275 to 662)
Grades: PK-8
201 W Main St
Neponset, IL 61345
(309) 594-2306
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Rock Falls Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +613
(from 2,197 to 1,584)
Grades: 6-8
1701 12th Ave
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 626-2626
Rank: #3333.
La Harpe Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +610
(from 2,177 to 1,567)
Grades: PK-8
404 W Main St
La Harpe, IL 61450
(217) 659-7739
Rank: #3434.
Horizon Science Acad-mckinley Pk
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +609
(from 2,207 to 1,598)
Grades: K-12
2245 W Pershing Rd
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 247-8400
Rank: #3535.
Westville Jr High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +590
(from 3,216 to 2,626)
Grades: 7-8
412 Moses Ave
Westville, IL 61883
(217) 267-2185
Show 100 more public schools in IL (out of 1,370 total schools)
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