The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in Science. The lowest is 11% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Madero Middle School
Madero Middle School is a small school in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago serving grades 6 through 8. The enrollment sits at around 250 students, distributed roughly evenly across the three grades. The student body is predominantly Hispanic; nearly all students identify as Hispanic, with a handful of other students reported. Free-and-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, as was English learner identification and special education enrollment, so a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand the income and language support context more fully.
On state testing in 2024-25, Madero's results show uneven strength across subjects and grade levels. In English language arts, eighth-graders performed notably better than younger cohorts, with about one-third of eighth-graders meeting proficiency. Seventh-graders showed mixed results, and sixth-graders scored below that. In math, the pattern inverts: sixth-graders and seventh-graders fell well below proficiency benchmarks, each in the single digits. Eighth-graders performed better in math at about one in five, though still well below where the district would typically aim. Science testing, which occurs in eighth grade, showed about four in ten students at proficiency. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Cook County district schools. State testing data for grades 3, 4, and 5 were not available; Madero serves only grades 6-8, so those results do not apply.
The neighborhood and housing context around Madero reflect Pilsen's character as a densely built, historically Latino community on Chicago's South Side. Housing values in the school's zip code are moderate relative to the county and well below state and national medians, and rents track similarly. The Cook County housing market has cooled somewhat from prior peaks, with inventory higher and demand softer than a year prior. For families considering the Pilsen area, housing costs are lower than many Chicago neighborhoods, though the school's academic trajectory may be a factor in the decision.
Chicago Public Schools is in transition. The board shifted from mayoral appointment to an elected model, with the first fully elected board taking office in 2027. The district adopted a strategic plan in 2024 that emphasizes strengthening neighborhood schools and moving away from the school-choice enrollment model that defined CPS for decades. In December 2024, CPS replaced its long-standing numeric school ratings with holistic dashboards that assess schools across multiple dimensions beyond test scores. The district has also rolled out Skyline, a unified PreK-12 curriculum spanning core subjects, which is available to all district-managed schools at no per-school cost.
A parent evaluating Madero should view the recent test results as a signal to dig deeper. Ask the school about its instructional focus in math, where proficiency rates are particularly low in the lower grades, and what interventions or supports are in place. Understand the school's approach to English language arts and science instruction. Request clarity on free-and-reduced lunch rates, English learner percentages, and special education enrollment so you can assess the school's capacity to support a range of student needs. In a city with many school options, Madero's current academic standing puts it below the median for the county, and parents will want to understand whether the school's plans for improvement align with their family's priorities.
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