The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in Science. The lowest is 50% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hawthorn Middle School North
Hawthorn Middle School North sits in Vernon Hills, a suburban village in northwestern Lake County that has grown steadily from farmland into a planned residential and retail hub. The school serves grades 6 through 8 and enrolls a diverse student body. The enrollment is small, with a roughly even distribution across the three grades. The student body is racially and ethnically diverse: roughly half the school is white, with substantial representation from Asian, Hispanic, and other backgrounds.
The school's test results, from the most recent state assessment period, show mixed performance across subjects and grade levels. In English language arts, sixth graders achieved above the midpoint overall, with similar results in seventh and eighth grades. Eighth-grade ELA performance was notably above sixth-grade math results. In mathematics, results are weaker. Sixth-grade proficiency sits around the midpoint, seventh grade performs slightly better, and eighth grade dips below sixth grade. Science proficiency in eighth grade falls between the math and ELA ranges. Across all tested grades and subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among the county's school districts, suggesting solid average standing within Lake County, though not at the top end.
Test participation rates are very high—near or above the mid-to-high range across all grades and subjects—indicating that nearly all enrolled students took the assessments.
The school is part of Hawthorn CCSD 73, which has implemented lasting changes to family life and school operations. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the district extended the school day for all students from kindergarten through high school. This means families needed to adjust childcare and after-school schedules. The district also consolidated all preschool programs to an off-campus shared facility in Mundelein, a change that affects younger siblings in the household. On the positive side, a voter-approved building program that included renovations and updates to Hawthorn Middle School North wrapped up at a lower cost to taxpayers than originally projected, meaning families benefit from upgraded school facilities without the full tax burden that was feared.
Vernon Hills itself is a planned suburban community built in waves, with residential subdivisions and major retail corridors dominating the landscape. Daily life is auto-oriented; the village is not walkable for shopping and services. However, a major redevelopment called Hawthorn Row is underway at the former Hawthorn Mall, introducing mixed-use buildings, restaurants, and apartments meant to create a pedestrian-friendly district—the closest thing Vernon Hills has to a town center. The area is home to several major employers, including tech and manufacturing firms alongside retail. Housing values have appreciated modestly, and the rental market is stable. Mortgage rates and unemployment are near national averages, so the economic climate is steady.
The school's position above the midpoint in the county does reflect respectable proficiency, especially in ELA, though math performance warrants closer attention. For families considering the school, a parent may want to look into further detail with the school about math support and interventions, given the grade-by-grade variation. The extended school day is a concrete reality to plan around. The school sits in a growing, family-oriented suburban context with ongoing infrastructure investment, though the neighborhood character remains car-dependent outside of emerging mixed-use zones.
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