Caruso Middle School

Caruso Middle School is a public school located at 1801 Montgomery Road, Deerfield, Illinois. The school currently has approximately 530 students attending, in grades 6, 7, and 8.

Founded August 1969, the school was originally named Wilmot Junior High School. Embracing the middle school philosophy in the 1980s and adopting the name of a retiring and beloved school superintendent the school was renamed Charles J. Caruso Middle School.The school originally served 7th and 8th graders, but in 1985, the school started to serve 6th graders too.

In 2001, principal William Ristow helped found the Charisma show choir. Under the musical direction of Darlene Hoffenberg, Charisma was awarded first place at the Chicagoland Showcase in 2004. At Manteno's Main Event Charisma was awarded first place in 2003, 2004, and 2005. They have received awards for Best Choral Sound, Best Choreography, and Sportsmanship. Charisma has been choreographed by Aaron Rumack, Jennifer Toney, and Annie Jo Fischer.

The creative problem-solving program Destination ImagiNation is a popular activity at Caruso. Coordinated by Sheila Shifrin, teams have routinely qualified for the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee. In the 2008 finals a Caruso team won the "Chorific" challenge at Globals. In the 2011 global finals a Caruso team, "Not Paying Attention", placed 2nd in the "Unidentified Moving Object" challenge. In 2012, the Caruso team, "DI-Pod," also placed 2nd at the Global Finals in the "Coming Attractions" challenge.

Charles J. Caruso Middle School is part of Deerfield School District 109. Other schools in District 109 include:

• Kipling Elementary
• Walden Elementary
• South Park Elementary
• Wilmot Elementary
• Shepard Middle School