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James Shields Middle School

CPS choice · 5-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

On the 5Essentials survey, school leadership was rated ‘Strong’ and teacher collaboration was rated ‘Strong’ (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 75% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - below what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). In 2021–22, 2 applications were recorded for 2 offers (GoCPS, 2021–22 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
40% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - about what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). Family involvement was rated ‘Neutral’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).
Academic performance
Adjusted for low-income share, results sit in the middle 50% of CPS schools with published IAR results (adjusted view, disclosed method - ISBE Report Card 2025). Year-over-year student growth was at the 55th percentile statewide in ELA and the 49th in math (ISBE Report Card 2025).
Social-emotional fit
The school’s supportive environment was rated ‘Weak’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).

Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade. How the adjusted view works

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
2611 W 48TH ST
Neighborhood
Brighton Park
Phone
(773)535-7115
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
https://shieldsmiddleschool.org
Before and after care

Supplemental care not found.

SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.

Arts and creative

Fundamentals/Theory of Music, Student Art Club, Culinary Classes, Student Music Club, Art Studio, Guitar, Artesian Crafts, Piano/Keyboard

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Sports

Cheerleading, Exercise, Football, Girls' Basketball, Girls' Soccer, Girls' Volleyball, Aerobics, Boys' Track, Boys' Basketball, Boys' Soccer, Boys' Volleyball, Conditioning and Fitness, Girls' Cross Country, Running, Zumba, Basketball, Dance, Soccer, Boys' Cross Country, Girls' Track, Volleyball

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Climate survey
Involved families
Neutral
Supportive environment
Weak
Ambitious instruction
Neutral
Effective leaders
Strong
Collaborative teachers
Strong
Safety (student-reported)
Very Weak
Overall organization
Organized

UChicago 5Essentials levels from the spring 2024 survey (CPS Progress Reports SY2425, verified 2026-09-25) - benchmarked categories relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages. A school can answer mostly positively and still rate below the benchmark typical.

5Essentials - the latest survey in detail

Program Coherence, Teacher-Teacher Trust, and Innovation are rated above the CPS average; Rigorous Study Habits, Teacher Safety, and Teacher-Principal Trust are rated below it this year.

From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.

Show all measures ▸

Ambitious Instruction

66 ▼ below the CPS average (70)

Supportive Environment

63 ▬ about the CPS average (64)

Collaborative Teachers

76 ▲ above the CPS average (70)

Effective Leaders

68 ▬ about the CPS average (66)

Involved Families

64 ▼ below the CPS average (68)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 90%, teachers 90%, parents 0%Full 2026 measures report (UChicago)

UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Open Enrollment (general program, seats by lottery)

Open enrollment

5–8Lottery
NoCPS-published · verified Oct 2026

Local School Council

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.

Next meetings

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 8:30 AM
  • Wednesday, December 16, 2026 at 8:30 AM
  • Wednesday, January 20, 2027 at 8:30 AM

CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Jose Moreno · Principal
  • Sibia Chun · Parent
  • Alba Santana · Parent
  • Gabriela Apantenco · Parent
  • Ana Ramirez · Parent
  • Alma Acevedo · Community member
  • Veronica martinez patiño Martinez · Community member
  • Maribel Rodriguez · Teacher
  • Nancy Mendez · Teacher
  • Carmen Garcia · School staff (non-teaching)
  • Ilaiza Franco-Izaguirre · Student

CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.

Parent questions & conversation

What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.

Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.

SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.