The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in English language arts. The lowest is 64% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Middle School
Lincoln Middle School serves grades six through eight in Park Ridge, a built-out residential suburb northwest of Chicago anchored by a walkable Uptown district and served by Metra rail. The school sits on its own campus in a residential neighborhood rather than in the downtown core; its peer group for comparison is the broader Cook County district population.
The school's enrollment spans about 750 students, with the student body composed predominantly of white families, a modest share of Hispanic families, and smaller populations of Asian and other backgrounds. Free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility data was not available, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about the economic diversity of the student population.
On state assessments in mathematics and English language arts administered in spring 2025, Lincoln's performance across its three grade levels reflects stronger results in the upper grades. In sixth-grade math, proficiency reached the mid-range; seventh-grade math proficiency climbed to around two-thirds of students; and eighth-grade math proficiency rose further to about seven in ten students. The progression in ELA was steeper: sixth-grade ELA proficiency reached about four in five students, and that level held or slightly improved in seventh and eighth grade. In eighth-grade science, about seven in ten students achieved proficiency. Eighth-grade student participation on these assessments was very high, exceeding expectations. The school is positioned in the top quartile among Cook County districts on an overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades, a meaningful strength that reflects solid achievement across the board.
Park Ridge CCSD 64, the parent district, recently passed a substantial bond referendum in November 2024 to upgrade facilities at all schools, including work on safety and security, HVAC and mechanical systems, plumbing and electrical infrastructure, classroom renovations, and special education spaces. This is a multi-year capital initiative branded Protect D64 that will unfold over time and will be reflected in property-tax-funded debt service costs for families in the district.
The district also adopted a new core math curriculum, Eureka Squared, beginning in the 2022-23 school year. This K-8 program change affects how children learn math and how parents support that learning at home. The rollout has drawn mixed parent feedback in Park Ridge, so families considering the school may want to understand the curriculum approach and speak with current families about how it is landing in practice.
Park Ridge itself is a spacious residential community with Victorian and Georgian houses alongside newer condos, tree-lined streets, and a compact Uptown shopping and entertainment district anchored by the historic Pickwick Theatre, the public library, and the Park Ridge Metra station. The town was incorporated over a century ago and has grown into a mature, built-out suburb where new development focuses on infill and multifamily projects rather than large greenfield expansion. Healthcare is the major employer, anchored by Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and its pediatric network. Housing values in the Park Ridge area have appreciated over the past year; median rent for the area is in the mid-range for suburban Cook County. The area is walkable in and around Uptown but requires a car for most other daily trips.
State testing results for grades below sixth grade were not available, as Illinois does not administer the IAR at those grade levels. No enrollment data on students with individualized education plans or English learners was reported. A parent seeking a fuller picture of student support services, special programs, or the overall school culture would benefit from visiting the school and speaking directly with staff and families.
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