The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Friendship Jr High School
Friendship Jr High School serves grades six through eight in Des Plaines, an inner-ring suburb northwest of Chicago near O'Hare, within Community Consolidated School District 59. The school's tested performance in 2024-25 shows uneven ground across its three grades. In English language arts, proficiency improved notably from sixth to eighth grade, with eighth graders reaching proficiency at above-average rates for Cook County junior highs. Sixth graders in ELA were around the midpoint, while seventh graders fell slightly below. Math proficiency was consistently lower, with sixth and eighth graders in the low-to-mid range and seventh graders just above the midpoint. Science testing was administered only to eighth grade, where proficiency sat around the midpoint among county schools. The school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits above the median for Cook County districts, though the variation by grade and subject suggests a range of student readiness levels, particularly in mathematics.
The school enrolled about 600 students across its three grades, with roughly balanced cohort sizes. Student composition is diverse: close to a third of the school identifies as Hispanic, roughly a third as white, and a meaningful share as Asian. The school also enrolls students who identify as Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and other groups. This student body diversity is characteristic of Des Plaines, which blends established residential areas with neighborhoods that have drawn immigrant and working-class families over time. Free-or-reduced-price-lunch data was not available in the sources provided, and enrollment counts by demographic subgroup for special education and English learners were similarly absent, so a parent seeking a fuller picture of economic need or support services may want to look into those details directly with the school.
Friendship sits in a district where governance and pedagogy have shifted recently. In 2023, the school board rejected a proposed equity reorganization plan that would have restructured elementary schools into grade-specific centers and redistricted attendance areas. The rejection preserved the district's traditional neighborhood school model and the year-round Ridge Family Center for Learning as a school-of-choice lottery program. That same year, a "Save Our Schools" slate won seats in a school board election, primarily in opposition to the proposed equity plan. By 2024, board appointments solidified the new majority's control, and in 2025 the superintendent's contract was not renewed. These shifts signal a turn in district direction. For parents evaluating the school, the district's recent leadership and policy turnover is worth noting as it may shape resource allocation, instructional priorities, and staff stability going forward. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, CCSD59 implemented a junior-high-wide policy requiring students to store cellphones in lockers during the school day, a practice families in the district should expect.
Des Plaines itself is a mid-sized community with visible transit infrastructure and downtown revitalization underway. The city is anchored by a Metra station on the Union Pacific Northwest Line with numerous daily trains and bus connections, making it accessible for families who commute or rely on public transit. Housing in the 60018 zip code where the school sits is moderately valued for the Chicago area, with the market showing modest appreciation year-over-year. The area is predominantly residential with commercial and industrial corridors tied to O'Hare, and employer anchors include major corporations, regional offices, and service businesses. The downtown core around the Metra and Miner Street is walkable; beyond that, the city is more car-dependent. If you are considering this address for housing, the immediate school area is stable suburban, and schools here draw from established, mixed-income neighborhoods.
State testing data for grades three, four, and five was not available in the data provided, which may reflect that the state does not report results for elementary-age students at a school level, or those grades are not served at this location. A parent may want to confirm with the school or district what academic supports are in place to address gaps, particularly in mathematics, and what career or advanced pathway options are available for students entering high school.
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