The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in English language arts. The lowest is 67% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Herrick Middle School
Herrick Middle School is a public middle school serving seventh and eighth grade students in Downers Grove, a western Chicago suburb in DuPage County. The school sits within a broader community and district context that has shifted significantly in recent years, with both implications for the school's facilities and for the students it receives.
The school's academic profile comes from reported state assessment results. In English Language Arts, Herrick shows stronger performance in the upper grade: eighth graders scored in the high range on the IAR, while seventh graders scored solidly but a notch lower. In math, seventh graders outperformed eighth graders, with seventh grade in the solid range and eighth grade somewhat lower. Science results for eighth grade, the only grade tested, fell in the upper-middle range. Across all tested grades and subjects, Herrick's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among schools in DuPage County—a meaningful strength. Testing participation was nearly universal across grades, a sign of consistent access to assessment.
The enrollment numbers are moderate for a middle school, with roughly equal splits between the seventh and eighth grade cohorts. The school's student composition is predominantly white, with smaller populations of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students; the data did not include counts or rates for students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, English learners, or those receiving special education services, so a fuller picture of socioeconomic or academic support needs is not available here.
Two district-level changes bear directly on Herrick's circumstances. Voters approved a substantial facilities bond in November 2022, with funds renovating all school buildings in the district through summer 2026, including roof, HVAC, and secure-entry upgrades along with additions to both middle schools. That work is ongoing as of now. More structurally, the district is transitioning from a K-5 / 6-8 model to a PK-5 / 6-8 alignment beginning in the 2026-27 school year, meaning sixth graders will move from elementary schools into the two middle schools. That shift will expand the student body and require the new facilities being built. For families currently considering the school, the additions address capacity and modernization. Parents may want to check with the school on the timeline and how the ongoing construction affects current operations.
The broader community around Downers Grove is residential but increasingly mixed-use. Housing in the zip code where Herrick sits carries a median home value in the mid-range for the Chicago area, with rental options also available. The village hosts downtown redevelopment anchored by a Metra commuter rail station, corporate and healthcare employers, and a variety of neighborhood parks. New apartment buildings and continued teardown-and-rebuild activity in residential areas reflect ongoing demographic and housing-stock change. For school-choice families, proximity to downtown transit, employment centers, and parks is a practical consideration alongside school performance.
The school's testing data came from Illinois state assessments in early 2025, so those results are current. State testing data for elementary grades were not available—those grades fall outside Herrick's enrollment band. Graduation rate, chronic absenteeism, and detailed staffing or course-access information were not included in the data available, so families interested in those specifics should reach out to the school directly. The school's website may carry more recent program information and admissions details.
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