The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Larsen Middle School
Larsen Middle School serves grades 7 and 8 in Elgin as part of School District U-46. The school has an enrollment split nearly evenly between the two grades, with the student body predominantly Hispanic, and smaller shares of white, Asian, and Black students. The school's address is 665 Dundee Ave in Elgin.
State testing data is available only for grades 7 and 8, the grades Larsen actually serves. In English language arts, Larsen's results sit well below where the field typically performs. In grade 7, roughly one-third of students met proficiency; in grade 8, the share was somewhat lower. Math results were notably weaker in both grades, with proficiency rates in the low-to-mid teens. In grade 8 science, about one-quarter of students met proficiency. These results place Larsen in the bottom quartile among Kane County districts on an overall proficiency index. A parent may want to look into the school's approach to math instruction and the factors behind these particular gaps with the district and school directly.
Participation rates across subjects and grades were consistently high, above 98 percent, indicating strong test engagement. The school is part of a district undergoing significant structural change. U-46 recently approved a substantial bond referendum that funds rebuilds of aging elementary schools and the district's first newly constructed middle schools in decades. Larsen itself is not being rebuilt, but the district is transitioning all middle grades to a 6-8 model and introducing a daily advisory period for social-emotional learning and academic intervention. Starting in 2025-26, elementary schools extended their days; middle schools are implementing new math and literacy curricular resources. These shifts are reshaping how and when instruction happens across the district.
Elgin itself is a mid-sized city in the Fox River Valley about 35 to 40 miles northwest of Chicago, known for its multicultural character, historic downtown along the river, and manufacturing heritage. The city is in active growth, with new apartments, mixed-use development downtown, new school facilities under construction, and steady residential expansion toward the west near the Randall Road corridor. Housing values in the 60120 zip code are moderate relative to the state and well below national medians, and rents are similarly affordable; the area remains accessible to families seeking entry into homeownership or rental near Chicago.
Free-or-reduced-price lunch rates and English learner enrollment counts for this school were not available in the data provided. The school does not report IEP rates. Larsen is a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation. More detailed information about programs, electives, or specialized offerings was not found. Parents interested in how the school specifically supports students struggling in math or what interventions accompany the advisory period would benefit from contacting the school or district directly.
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