The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Robert E Abbott Middle School
Robert E Abbott Middle School is a six-through-eight middle school in Waukegan, serving a student body that is predominantly Latino, with smaller populations of Black, white, and Asian students. The enrollment is small to mid-sized for a middle school, distributed across three grades with roughly equal numbers in each year level.
The school's academic performance is a significant concern. In math, proficiency rates on the state assessment are very low: roughly one in thirteen students achieved proficiency in sixth grade, one in twelve in seventh grade, and one in fourteen in eighth grade. English language arts performance is higher but remains weak. In sixth grade, about one in five students was proficient; in seventh grade, about one in six; and in eighth grade, about one in four. Science data is available only for eighth grade, where proficiency stands at about one in six students. Across these tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among the fifty districts in Lake County. A parent looking at these numbers may want to contact the school directly to understand what academic supports are in place, how the school addresses learning gaps, and what trajectory of improvement, if any, the administration has documented.
Illinois changed its proficiency cut scores recently, which means prior-year comparisons are difficult. The school showed near-complete test participation in the grades where data is reported, which is a baseline sign of engagement with state accountability. Beyond these state assessments, no other academic measures, such as course offerings, enrichment programs, or internal assessments, were available in the data provided.
Waukegan is a mid-sized industrial city of roughly ninety thousand on Lake Michigan, about thirty-six miles north of downtown Chicago and the county seat of Lake County. The city blends a walkable downtown core with historic neighborhoods, lakefront, and working-class residential areas. The local economy rests on manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and transportation, with major employers including Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Takeda, and Naval Station Great Lakes nearby. Downtown features galleries, restaurants, the Genesee Theatre, and monthly ArtWauk events. The Waukegan Metra station connects to Chicago on the Union Pacific North line.
The broader Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 is currently undergoing restructuring at the high school level, which will change how students progress from middle to secondary grades. The district has also recently expanded teacher recruitment to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and historically Black colleges and universities to fill staffing gaps in bilingual education, English learner support, and other critical areas. These moves signal ongoing staffing challenges that may affect classroom stability and resource availability across the district, including at the middle school level.
Housing in the 60085 zip code that includes Waukegan is modestly priced relative to national benchmarks and even below the Illinois state average. Median home values are around mid-range for the region, and rental costs are below-average. The local housing market showed modest growth year-over-year and elevated supply relative to demand, suggesting a buyer's market. The area is more affordable for families seeking homeownership than many Chicago-area communities.
State testing data for grades three through five are not available for this school, which is expected since Robert E Abbott serves middle grades only and the state does not administer IAR assessments below grade six at most schools. No information was available on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education enrollment, English learner enrollment, school discipline practices, attendance rates, or staffing resources. The school's website was not provided in the available data. These gaps mean a parent would need to reach out to the school directly or the district office to understand the full context of support services, class sizes, teacher qualifications, and behavioral or attendance trends that shape the day-to-day experience.
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