Is Michelle Obama School of Technology a good school?

Michelle Obama School of Technology ranks in the bottom 21.6% of Illinois middle schools.

How many students attend Michelle Obama School of Technology?

In the 2022-23 school year, 484 students attended Michelle Obama School of Technology.

What is the racial makeup of Michelle Obama School of Technology?

Students at Michelle Obama School of Technology are 83% African American, 12% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% White.

What high school do graduates of Michelle Obama School of Technology attend?

Students who attend Michelle Obama School of Technology usually go on to attend Rich Township High School

Michelle Obama School of Technology

Summary:

The Michelle Obama School of Technology is a public middle school located in Park Forest, Illinois, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 484 students. Despite the school's consistent underperformance, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years, the school has seen a significant increase in funding, with spending per student rising from $15,184 in 2019-2020 to $20,402 in 2022-2023.

Academically, the school struggles, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts (25.5%), Mathematics (7.8%), and Science (26.1%) well below the state averages. The school's performance is particularly low for Hispanic and Multi-racial student subgroups, ranking in the bottom 25% of Illinois middle schools. In contrast, the school's African American student subgroup performs relatively better, ranking in the top 50% of Illinois middle schools for this subgroup. The school's chronic absenteeism rate has also risen significantly, from 2.9% in 2021-2022 to 30.2% in 2023-2024, which likely contributes to the academic challenges.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Southwood Middle School, Summit Hill Junior High School, and Parker Junior High School, Michelle Obama School of Technology consistently underperforms, with significantly lower proficiency rates and higher chronic absenteeism. Despite the school's high spending per student and a relatively low student-teacher ratio, the academic performance remains poor, suggesting that factors beyond just funding and staffing may be contributing to the school's challenges.

Detail:

Public 6-8

530 Lakewood Blvd
Park Forest, IL 60466-1505

(708) 668-9600

District: Park Forest School District 163

SchoolDigger Rank:
1069^th of 1,363 Illinois Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $22,381

Students who attend Michelle Obama School of Technology usually attend:

High:

Rich Township High School

Feeder schools for Michelle Obama School of Technology:

Elementary:	21st Century Primary Center
	Barack Obama School of Ldership
	Blackhawk Primary Center
	Mohawk Primary Center

Student/teacher ratio: 10.7

Number of students: 484

Racial breakdown:

African American:

83.5%

Hispanic:

12.0%

Two or more races:

2.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 72.1%

See top rated Illinois middle schools

Compare Michelle Obama School of Technology to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Michelle Obama School of Technology is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2015 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.26. (See more...)

Compare Details Michelle Obama School of Technology ranks worse than 78.4% of middle schools in Illinois. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 21.54. (See more...)

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

Compare Details

Teachers

Compare Details

Compare

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Michelle Obama School of Technology is $22,381.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Michelle Obama School of Technology was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Michelle Obama School of Technology 1069^th of 1363 Illinois public middle schools. (See Michelle Obama School of Technology in the ranking list.)

What do you think?

Your rating for Michelle Obama School of Technology?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Michelle Obama School of Technology

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2015	23.26	1619^th	2052	21.1%

See the entire list of Illinois Middle School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Michelle Obama School of Technology

Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2003	27.20	893^rd	1185	24.6%
2004	30.95	881^st	1204	26.8%
2005	20.43	972^nd	1209	19.6%
2006	12.63	1119^th	1272	12.0%
2007	23.75	1041^st	1287	19.1%
2008	30.11	989^th	1293	23.5%
2009	36.58	951^st	1318	27.8%
2010	33.28	994^th	1327	25.1%
2011	34.49	991^st	1344	26.3%
2012	29.06	1059^th	1365	22.4%
2013	19.58	1149^th	1367	15.9%
2014	23.98	1058^th	1322	20.0%
2015	22.82	1026^th	1302	21.2%
2016	32.44	856^th	1294	33.8%
2017	35.51	810^th	1293	37.4%
2018	31.12	876^th	1293	32.3%
2019	33.88	866^th	1356	36.1%
2022	19.73	1110^th	1369	18.9%
2023	16.46	1192^nd	1367	12.8%
2024	21.54	1069^th	1363	21.6%

See the entire list of Illinois Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Multi-racial students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	24.85	150^th	195	23.1%
2024	13.23	171^st	184	7.1%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	39.64	303^rd	602	49.7%
2019	24.69	700^th	792	11.6%
2022	26.86	654^th	781	16.3%
2023	29.15	562^nd	805	30.2%
2024	22.17	693^rd	802	13.6%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	45.80	585^th	1161	49.6%
2019	45.79	621^st	1217	49.0%
2022	26.67	942^nd	1221	22.9%
2023	23.68	1021^st	1234	17.3%
2024	30.36	857^th	1219	29.7%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	30.79	857^th	1226	30.1%
2019	37.05	792^nd	1276	37.9%
2022	20.44	1048^th	1286	18.5%
2023	16.72	1103^rd	1275	13.5%
2024	23.95	949^th	1251	24.1%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Disabled students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	28.45	515^th	674	23.6%
2024	31.66	443^rd	639	30.7%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	30.72	821^st	1223	32.9%
2019	28.80	904^th	1296	30.2%
2022	19.95	1044^th	1286	18.8%
2023	16.57	1142^nd	1292	11.6%
2024	20.11	1029^th	1264	18.6%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	63.13	124^th	511	75.7%
2019	64.65	129^th	565	77.2%
2022	40.80	283^rd	573	50.6%
2023	34.22	364^th	569	36.0%
2024	47.40	228^th	548	58.4%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Michelle Obama School of Technology

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2019	32.36	448^th	639	29.9%
2022	24.03	549^th	662	17.1%
2023	26.97	513^th	661	22.4%
2024	26.01	508^th	643	21.0%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Middle Schools for Hispanic 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.

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Michelle Obama School of Technology.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Michelle Obama School of Technology, submit a rating!

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Michelle Obama School of Technology

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	380	401	13	26	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	820
1989	392	414	5	23	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	834
1990	354	383	8	17	3	n/a	n/a	0	765
1991	324	411	11	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	773
1992	328	424	7	31	2	n/a	n/a	0	792
1993	317	456	7	32	1	n/a	n/a	0	813
1994	313	432	2	29	2	n/a	n/a	0	778
1995	215	417	17	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	684
1996	215	417	17	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	684
1997	173	412	5	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	627
1998	185	429	2	29	6	n/a	n/a	0	651
1999	152	448	16	31	8	n/a	n/a	0	655
2000	153	461	16	18	2	n/a	n/a	0	650
2001	131	461	16	24	3	n/a	n/a	0	635
2002	111	536	3	29	2	n/a	n/a	0	681
2003	111	536	3	29	2	n/a	n/a	0	681
2004	101	596	2	37	4	n/a	n/a	0	740
2005	92	649	2	38	1	n/a	n/a	7	789
2006	38	720	2	21	1	n/a	n/a	19	801
2007	67	632	3	25	0	n/a	n/a	24	751
2008	52	598	2	24	1	n/a	n/a	27	704
2009	51	529	1	29	0	n/a	n/a	30	640
2010	43	528	1	28	0	n/a	n/a	26	626
2011	35	515	2	16	1	0	30	0	599
2012	23	371	0	11	1	0	20	0	426
2013	19	375	1	16	0	0	21	0	432
2014	13	387	1	25	0	1	24	0	451
2015	26	518	2	29	0	1	19	0	595
2016	17	491	2	41	1	0	27	0	579
2017	17	510	1	46	2	0	26	0	602
2018	14	510	0	35	0	0	25	0	584
2019	12	460	0	39	0	0	25	0	536
2020	12	454	0	39	0	0	27	0	532
2021	7	437	0	46	0	0	23	0	513
2022	13	426	0	58	0	0	26	0	523
2023	10	404	0	58	0	0	12	0	484

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 Michelle Obama School of Technology

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	820	39.0	21.0	n/a
1989	834	41.5	20.0	n/a
1990	765	41.5	18.4	n/a
1991	773	41.5	18.6	n/a
1992	792	38.0	20.8	n/a
1993	813	37.0	22.0	n/a
1994	778	38.0	20.5	n/a
1995	684	43.3	15.8	n/a
1996	684	43.3	15.8	n/a
1997	627	41.8	15.0	n/a
1998	651	43.3	15.0	n/a
1999	655	41.3	15.9	n/a
2000	650	40.2	16.2	n/a
2001	635	40.0	15.9	n/a
2002	681	44.0	15.5	75.2
2003	681	44.0	15.5	75.2
2004	740	44.0	16.8	78.6
2005	789	43.0	18.3	78.3
2006	801	40.9	19.6	81.1
2007	751	37.0	20.3	81.7
2008	704	38.0	18.5	83.9
2009	640	46.0	13.9	81.5
2010	626	46.0	13.6	87.7
2011	599	41.0	14.6	84.8
2012	426	31.0	13.7	89.2
2013	432	33.5	12.8	87.5
2014	451	28.0	16.1	92.7
2015	595	37.0	16.0	90.9
2016	579	36.0	16.0	87.7
2017	602	37.9	15.8	88.4
2018	584	40.3	14.4	81.8
2019	536	41.7	12.8	86.8
2020	532	41.4	12.8	82.9
2021	513	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	523	45.1	11.5	83.9
2023	484	44.8	10.7	72.1

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 Michelle Obama School of Technology

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	820	39.0	21.0	n/a
1989	834	41.5	20.0	n/a
1990	765	41.5	18.4	n/a
1991	773	41.5	18.6	n/a
1992	792	38.0	20.8	n/a
1993	813	37.0	22.0	n/a
1994	778	38.0	20.5	n/a
1995	684	43.3	15.8	n/a
1996	684	43.3	15.8	n/a
1997	627	41.8	15.0	n/a
1998	651	43.3	15.0	n/a
1999	655	41.3	15.9	n/a
2000	650	40.2	16.2	n/a
2001	635	40.0	15.9	n/a
2002	681	44.0	15.5	75.2
2003	681	44.0	15.5	75.2
2004	740	44.0	16.8	78.6
2005	789	43.0	18.3	78.3
2006	801	40.9	19.6	81.1
2007	751	37.0	20.3	81.7
2008	704	38.0	18.5	83.9
2009	640	46.0	13.9	81.5
2010	626	46.0	13.6	87.7
2011	599	41.0	14.6	84.8
2012	426	31.0	13.7	89.2
2013	432	33.5	12.8	87.5
2014	451	28.0	16.1	92.7
2015	595	37.0	16.0	90.9
2016	579	36.0	16.0	87.7
2017	602	37.9	15.8	88.4
2018	584	40.3	14.4	81.8
2019	536	41.7	12.8	86.8
2020	532	41.4	12.8	82.9
2021	513	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	523	45.1	11.5	83.9
2023	484	44.8	10.7	72.1

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