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Unity Junior High School

Summary:

Unity Junior High School is a public middle school located in Cicero, Illinois, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of 2,054 students. The school is part of the Cicero School District 99, which is ranked 718 out of 813 districts in Illinois and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Unity Junior High School faces significant challenges, with consistently high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 28.1% to 34.7% over the past few years, significantly higher than the state average. Academically, the school's performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better in state assessments, is consistently below the state and district averages across all grades and subjects, particularly in Mathematics. The school's performance also varies significantly across different student subgroups, with African American and Hispanic students, as well as English Language Learners and students with disabilities, performing significantly worse than their peers.

While Unity Junior High School has relatively high spending per student, ranging from $13,855 to $19,769 over the past few years, this increased spending does not appear to be translating into improved academic outcomes. Nearby schools in the Cicero School District 99, such as Cicero East Elementary and Columbus East Elementary, have similar academic performance and demographic profiles to Unity Junior High School. However, some nearby schools in other districts, such as Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School and Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, have significantly higher academic performance and lower chronic absenteeism rates, suggesting that the challenges faced by Unity Junior High School may be more systemic within the Cicero School District 99.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 2115 S 54th Ave
       Cicero, IL  60804-2209

(708) 863-8268

District: Cicero School District 99

SchoolDigger Rank:
1025th of 1,363 Illinois Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $22,047 Help


Students who attend Unity Junior High School usually attend:

High:    J Sterling Morton East High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.5 Help
Number of students:  2,054

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
96.9%
African American:
2.4%
White:
0.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  88.3% Help


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 Compare Unity Junior High School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Unity Junior High School ranks worse than 75.2% of middle schools in Illinois. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.93. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Unity Junior High School has the largest middle school student body size in the Cicero School District 99.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Unity Junior High School is $22,047, which is the highest among 3 middle schools in the Cicero School District 99!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Unity Junior High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Unity Junior High School 1025th of 1363 Illinois public middle schools. (See Unity Junior High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Cicero School District 99:

SchoolDigger ranks Cicero School District 99 718th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Unity Junior High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 11.47 1147th 1287 10.9%
2009 11.18 1199th 1318 9.0%
2010 13.84 1178th 1327 11.2%
2011 13.04 1224th 1344 8.9%
2012 12.87 1240th 1365 9.2%
2013 12.21 1242nd 1367 9.1%
2014 10.62 1222nd 1322 7.6%
2015 19.70 1081st 1302 17.0%
2016 17.30 1141st 1294 11.8%
2017 22.89 1018th 1293 21.3%
2018 17.73 1091st 1293 15.6%
2019 21.62 1084th 1356 20.1%
2021 17.59 1072nd 1241 13.6%
2022 20.75 1088th 1369 20.5%
2023 22.18 1067th 1367 21.9%
2024 23.93 1025th 1363 24.8%
See the entire list of Illinois Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.78 231st 285 18.9%
2019 36.35 247th 339 27.1%
2021 34.22 217th 277 21.7%
2022 30.91 382nd 454 15.9%
2023 29.39 406th 480 15.4%
2024 35.77 323rd 486 33.5%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.42 441st 602 26.7%
2019 26.23 668th 792 15.7%
2021 28.32 443rd 548 19.2%
2022 32.76 531st 781 32.0%
2023 23.24 686th 805 14.8%
2024 21.11 712th 802 11.2%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.02 899th 1161 22.6%
2019 33.13 849th 1217 30.2%
2021 26.72 792nd 1019 22.3%
2022 31.15 860th 1221 29.6%
2023 33.44 832nd 1234 32.6%
2024 33.35 814th 1219 33.2%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 15.98 36th 36 0.0%
2024 57.02 16th 70 77.1%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.16 1053rd 1226 14.1%
2019 21.11 1024th 1276 19.7%
2021 15.95 914th 1017 10.1%
2022 20.54 1044th 1286 18.8%
2023 21.43 1007th 1275 21.0%
2024 24.57 936th 1251 25.2%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 30.67 477th 674 29.2%
2024 24.29 565th 639 11.6%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.27 1041st 1223 14.9%
2019 22.58 1022nd 1296 21.1%
2021 17.12 934th 1048 10.9%
2022 21.98 1001st 1286 22.2%
2023 23.35 994th 1292 23.1%
2024 23.44 954th 1264 24.5%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.21 483rd 511 5.5%
2019 19.14 538th 565 4.8%
2022 31.95 397th 573 30.7%
2023 33.10 378th 569 33.6%
2024 20.20 507th 548 7.5%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.66 533rd 590 9.7%
2019 23.26 544th 639 14.9%
2021 18.80 478th 517 7.5%
2022 22.40 565th 662 14.7%
2023 25.80 523rd 661 20.9%
2024 28.17 476th 643 26.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.47 1st 1 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Unity Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.11 860th 889 3.3%
2019 16.39 803rd 905 11.3%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Unity Junior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Unity Junior High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2004 76 20 5 1206 0 n/a n/a 0 1307
2005 69 14 2 1300 1 n/a n/a 0 1386
2006 41 21 0 1279 0 n/a n/a 7 1348
2007 28 28 4 1238 0 n/a n/a 4 1302
2008 24 32 3 1235 0 n/a n/a 2 1296
2009 79 69 7 2570 1 n/a n/a 4 2730
2010 74 57 7 2633 0 n/a n/a 9 2780
2011 31 64 4 2632 1 0 5 0 2737
2012 52 61 4 2587 7 0 8 0 2719
2013 46 56 2 2545 16 0 4 0 2669
2014 46 57 2 2585 26 3 1 0 2720
2015 58 51 5 2604 26 3 3 0 2750
2016 72 50 8 2490 24 0 0 0 2644
2017 76 68 4 2260 222 0 0 0 2630
2018 73 56 0 2447 40 0 2 0 2618
2019 66 59 1 2413 13 1 2 0 2555
2020 57 61 2 2386 9 1 1 0 2517
2021 24 57 2 2358 4 1 2 0 2448
2022 12 53 2 2180 4 0 4 0 2255
2023 8 50 0 1991 2 0 3 0 2054

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Unity Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2004 1307 34.0 38.4 80
2005 1386 92.0 15.1 86.1
2006 1348 84.0 16.0 87.9
2007 1302 86.0 15.1 84.7
2008 1296 66.0 19.6 88.9
2009 2730 158.0 17.3 89.8
2010 2780 158.3 17.5 93
2011 2737 162.3 16.8 84.8
2012 2719 167.7 16.2 93
2013 2669 223.7 11.9 94.2
2014 2720 164.0 16.5 95
2015 2750 170.0 16.1 94.4
2016 2644 176.0 15.0 92.1
2017 2630 181.3 14.5 87.6
2018 2618 171.8 15.2 84.1
2019 2555 166.8 15.3 97.8
2020 2517 166.8 15.0 94.4
2021 2448 n/a n/a n/a
2022 2255 153.9 14.6 62.4
2023 2054 141.0 14.5 88.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Unity Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2004 1307 34.0 38.4 80
2005 1386 92.0 15.1 86.1
2006 1348 84.0 16.0 87.9
2007 1302 86.0 15.1 84.7
2008 1296 66.0 19.6 88.9
2009 2730 158.0 17.3 89.8
2010 2780 158.3 17.5 93
2011 2737 162.3 16.8 84.8
2012 2719 167.7 16.2 93
2013 2669 223.7 11.9 94.2
2014 2720 164.0 16.5 95
2015 2750 170.0 16.1 94.4
2016 2644 176.0 15.0 92.1
2017 2630 181.3 14.5 87.6
2018 2618 171.8 15.2 84.1
2019 2555 166.8 15.3 97.8
2020 2517 166.8 15.0 94.4
2021 2448 n/a n/a n/a
2022 2255 153.9 14.6 62.4
2023 2054 141.0 14.5 88.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

Unity Junior High School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMeningococcal
201599.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%
201699.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%99.9%
2017100.0%99.9%99.9%99.9%100.0%99.9%100.0%51.4%
2018100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
201999.1%99.1%99.1%99.1%99.1%99.1%99.1%99.0%
202197.8%97.8%97.8%97.8%97.8%97.8%97.8%97.8%
202299.7%99.6%99.6%99.6%99.1%99.5%99.7%94.2%
202399.4%99.5%99.5%99.5%99.6%99.4%99.6%99.4%
202499.5%99.6%99.6%99.6%99.4%99.2%99.6%99.6%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Unity Junior High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,275 (9.1%) $12,704 (90.9%) $13,979
2020 $989 (7.1%) $12,866 (92.9%) $13,855
2021 $1,640 (11.0%) $13,238 (89.0%) $14,878
2022 $1,640 (11.0%) $13,238 (89.0%) $14,878
2023 $3,134 (15.9%) $16,635 (84.1%) $19,769
2024 $3,570 (16.2%) $18,477 (83.8%) $22,047

Data source: Illinois Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Unity Junior High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 1084th of 1356 Middle schoolsRanks 1067th of 1367 Middle schools
 1.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Unity Junior High School)18.222.1
 3.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Cicero School District 99)18.222.1
 3.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)41.237.9
 3.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Unity Junior High School)10.78.3
 2.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Cicero School District 99)10.78.3
 2.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)29.926.9
 3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Unity Junior High School)19.419.5
 0.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Cicero School District 99)19.419.5
 0.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)39.640.5
 0.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Unity Junior High School)116.1
 4.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Cicero School District 99)116.1
 4.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)32.625.7
 6.9%
8th Grade Science (Unity Junior High School)35.531
 4.5%
   8th Grade Science (Cicero School District 99)35.531
 4.5%
   8th Grade Science (Illinois)5552
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students25552054
 19.6%
African American5950
 15.3%
American Indian132
 84.6%
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic24131991
 17.5%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White668
 87.9%
Two or More Races23
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients97.8%88.3%
 9.5%

Schools Near Unity Junior High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Unity Junior High School

Students who attend Unity Junior High School usually go on to attend J Sterling Morton East High School

Students at Unity Junior High School are 97% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Unity Junior High School ranks in the bottom 24.8% of Illinois middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,054 students attended Unity Junior High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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