Independence Jr High School
Palos Heights, IL · Palos Heights SD 128 · Grades 6 - 8
96th of 685 Illinois middle schools statewide · better than 86%▲ Improving
Independence Jr High School ranking
SchoolRow ranks Independence Jr High School 96th of 685 Illinois middle schools for 2024–25, based on Illinois Report Card 2024–25 English and Math results — better than 86% of middle schools statewide. Its statewide percentile went from 80th in 2019 to 86th in 2025 — improving.
Independence Jr High School test scores
Percent meeting or exceeding the state standard, Illinois Report Card 2024–25
Independence Jr High School students
Racial and ethnic breakdown of 208 students (2023–24, NCES) — and how it has shifted since 2013
| Group | Trend | 2013 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 90.0% | 71.6% | ▼ 18.4 pts | |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 19.7% | ▲ 12.9 pts | |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.8% | ▲ 4.2 pts | |
| Two or more races | 0.4% | 1.9% | ▲ 1.5 pts | |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.0% | ▼ 0.2 pts |
Homes near Independence Jr High School
Typical home value $400K in zip 60463 as of 2026-05 · trend since 2000
Data Provided by Zillow Group
Middle schools near Independence Jr High School
Closest same-level schools, with 2024–25 state rank
- 3Nathan Hale Middle SchoolCook County SD 130 · 1.9 mi away548th of 685
ELA 38% · Math 20% - 10Palos South Middle SchoolPalos CCSD 118 · 2 mi away41st of 685
ELA 89% · Math 61% - 7Worth Jr High SchoolWorth SD 127 · 2.1 mi away224th of 685
ELA 77% · Math 31% - 3Elden D Finley Jr High SchoolChicago Ridge SD 127-5 · 2.6 mi away514th of 685
ELA 39% · Math 25% - 5Prairie Jr High SchoolAlsip-Hazlgrn-Oaklwn SD 126 · 2.9 mi away357th of 685
ELA 60% · Math 28% - 5Jack Hille Middle SchoolForest Ridge SD 142 · 3 mi away365th of 685
ELA 53% · Math 33% - 4Hamlin Upper Grade CenterAtwood Heights SD 125 · 3.6 mi away425th of 685
ELA 61% · Math 16% - 7Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle SchOak Lawn-Hometown SD 123 · 4 mi away248th of 685
ELA 69% · Math 35%
Frequently asked questions
What school district is Independence Jr High School in?
Independence Jr High School is part of the Palos Heights SD 128 district in Palos Heights, Illinois.
Is Independence Jr High School a good school?
SchoolRow ranks Independence Jr High School 96th of 685 Illinois middle schools (better than 86% statewide) based on 2024–25 test results (Illinois Report Card 2024–25).
What is the racial makeup of Independence Jr High School?
White 72%, Hispanic 20%, Black 6%, Two or more races 2% (208 students, 2023–24).
How much do homes near Independence Jr High School cost?
The typical home value in zip code 60463 is $400K as of 2026-05 (Zillow ZHVI).
Sources: state education department data (Illinois Report Card 2024–25, low-income, chronic absenteeism), National Center for Education Statistics via the Urban Institute (enrollment, demographics, staffing), Zillow Group (home values). Rankings are computed by SchoolRow from state English and Math results within grade level; they measure test performance, not everything that makes a school good.