Best Public Schools in Chicago and the Suburbs
Despite the strains on public schools right now—especially in Chicago—the best ones still deliver a terrific education. But which ones are the best? Check out our rankings of the 133 top elementary and high schools in the area. PLUS: Read how to get your child into the best CPS schools and our methodology for ranking the top 133
By Steve Hendershot, Owen Hurd, Geoffrey Johnson, Dennis Rodkin, and Jennifer Tanaka
August 14, 2012, 1:37 pm
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Top 20 elementary schools in Chicago
| School | Neighborhood | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur Classical School | West Ridge | K-6 | 283 | 17.7 | $7,946 | 26.5 | 100 |
| 2 | Edison Regional Gifted Center | Albany Park | K-8 | 269 | 8.9 | $7,946 | 28 | 100 |
| 3 | Skinner North Classical School | Near North Side | K-3 | 165 | 28.5 | $7,946 | 28.5 | 100 |
| 4 | Keller Regional Gifted Center | Mount Greenwood | 1-8 | 244 | 15.6 | $7,946 | 29 | 100 |
| 5 | Poe Elementary Classical School | Pullman | K-6 | 192 | 47.4 | $7,946 | 26 | 99.2 |
| 6 | Lenart Regional Gifted Center | West Chatham | PK-8 | 322 | 28.3 | $7,946 | 34 | 100 |
| 7 | Skinner West Elementary School | Near West Side | PK-8 | 718 | 26.7 | $7,946 | 29 | 99.3 |
| 8 | Edgebrook Elementary School | Edgebrook | K-8 | 455 | 11.9 | $7,946 | 26 | 97.5 |
| 9 | McDade Classical School | Chatham | K-6 | 196 | 34.7 | $7,946 | 29 | 98.9 |
| 10 | Andrew Jackson Language Academy | University Village | K-8 | 550 | 32.2 | $7,946 | 29 | 98 |
| 11 | Bell Elementary School | North Center | K-8 | 947 | 20.3 | $7,946 | 27.8 | 96.2 |
| 12 | Hawthorne Scholastic Academy | Lake View | K-8 | 561 | 17.3 | $7,946 | 32 | 97.6 |
| 13 | Blaine Elementary School | Lake View | PK-8 | 915 | 22.3 | $7,946 | 26 | 95.1 |
| 14 | Lincoln Elementary School | Lincoln Park | K-8 | 742 | 14 | $7,946 | 30 | 96.3 |
| 15 | Oriole Park Elementary School | Norwood Park | PK-8 | 646 | 16.7 | $7,946 | 23.3 | 94.7 |
| 16 | Mount Greenwood Elementary School | Mount Greenwood | PK-8 | 837 | 30 | $7,946 | 28.8 | 95.1 |
| 17 | South Loop Elementary School | South Loop | PK-8 | 693 | 35.4 | $7,946 | 30.7 | 95.4 |
| 18 | Burley Elementary School | Lake View | PK-8 | 566 | 25.8 | $7,946 | 26.5 | 94.7 |
| 19 | LaSalle Language Academy | Old Town | K-8 | 571 | 22.1 | $7,946 | 32 | 95.2 |
| 20 | Sauganash Elementary School | Sauganash | K-8 | 551 | 29.4 | $7,946 | 29.5 | 94.9 |
Top 15 high schools in Chicago
| School | Neighborhood | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northside College Prep High School | North Park | 1,086 | 34.8 | $7,946 | 100 | 29.2 | 100 |
| 2 | Walter Payton College Prep High School | Old Town | 893 | 33.1 | $7,946 | 98.8 | 28.3 | 95 |
| 3 | Whitney Young Magnet High School | Near West Side | 2,160 | 38.5 | $7,946 | 96.2 | 26.6 | 96.1 |
| 4 | Jones College Prep High School | South Loop | 844 | 53.2 | $7,946 | 92.9 | 25.2 | 92.8 |
| 5 | Brooks College Prep Academy | Roseland | 764 | 85.3 | $7,946 | 94.1 | 21.7 | 70.5 |
| 6 | Lane Technical High School | North Center | 4,161 | 60.6 | $7,946 | 88.5 | 23.3 | 88 |
| 7 | Lincoln Park High School | Lincoln Park | 2,273 | 56.1 | $7,946 | 90.6 | 22.1 | 61.2 |
| 8 | Devry Advantage Academy High School | North Center | 221 | 75.1 | $7,946 | 100 | 19.7 | 68.4 |
| 9 | King College Prep High School | Kenwood | 925 | 72.2 | $7,946 | 86.6 | 20.2 | 56.9 |
| 10 | Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center | North Park | 1,659 | 74.9 | $7,946 | 86.5 | 20.4 | 55.6 |
| 11 | Lindblom Math and Science Academy | West Englewood | 878 | 69.8 | $7,946 | 81.5 | 21.6 | 76.8 |
| 12 | Noble Street College Prep | West Town | 5,330 | 88 | $7,946 | 89.7 | 19.9 | 50.4 |
| 13 | Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences | Mount Greenwood | 586 | 52.6 | $7,946 | 82.5 | 20 | 59.1 |
| 14 | Chicago Virtual Charter School | N/A | 564 | 61.7 | $7,946 | 81.8 | 20.1 | 43.8 |
| 15 | Kenwood Academy High School | Kenwood | 1,829 | 78.2 | $7,946 | 85.1 | 18.9 | 45.4 |
NOTES: All data are from 2010-11. Class size is for first grade. Low income is the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. ISAT is a composite percentage of students who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Illinois Standards achievement Test. ACT is an average for student performance on the ACT college entrance exam (36 is the highest possible score). PSAE is the percentage of 11th graders who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. SOURCE: Illinois State Board of Education
Top 20 elementary schools in Cook County
| School | Town (District) | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joseph Sears School | Kenilworth (38) | PK-8 | 544 | 0 | $10,064 | 11.9 | 99.4 |
| 2 | Middlefork School | Northfield (29) | PK-3 | 207 | 1 | $14,874 | 11.3 | 98.1 |
| 3 | Greeley School | Winnetka (36) | PK-4 | 293 | 0 | $9,967 | 12.6 | 98.2 |
| 4 | Marie Murphy School | Wilmette (37) | PK, 6-8 | 258 | 7.4 | $9,015 | 10.4 | 98.2 |
| 5 | Greenbriar School | Northbrook (28) | K-5 | 376 | 1.9 | $10,895 | 11.9 | 98.1 |
| 6 | Wescott School | Northbrook (30) | 1-5 | 376 | 2.1 | $9,212 | 13.4 | 98.2 |
| 7 | Romona Elementary School | Wilmette (39) | PK-4 | 501 | 2.6 | $8,067 | 15.7 | 98.4 |
| 8 | Washburne School | Winnetka (36) | 7-8 | 483 | 0 | $9,967 | 12.6 | 97.5 |
| 9 | Maple School | Northbrook (30) | 6-8 | 409 | 5.1 | $9,212 | 13.4 | 97.6 |
| 10 | Greenbrier Elementary School | Arlington Heights (25) | PK-5 | 286 | 5.2 | $6,847 | 17.6 | 98.6 |
| 11 | Avoca West Elementary School | Glenview (37) | K-5 | 397 | 7.8 | $9,015 | 10.4 | 97.3 |
| 12 | John Laidlaw Elementary School | Western Springs (101) | K-5 | 433 | 0 | $5,819 | 18.4 | 98.1 |
| 13 | Willowbrook School | Glenview (30) | PK-5 | 337 | 1.8 | $9,212 | 13.4 | 97 |
| 14 | Central Elementary School | Wilmette (39) | K-4 | 544 | 0.4 | $8,067 | 15.7 | 97.2 |
| 15 | Lincoln Elementary School | River Forest (90) | PK-4 | 389 | 4.6 | $7,697 | 15.7 | 97.4 |
| 16 | Chippewa Elementary School | Palos Heights (128) | 1-3 | 217 | 3.2 | $6,041 | 18.3 | 97.8 |
| 17 | Harper School | Wilmette (39) | K-4 | 421 | 0.2 | $8,067 | 15.7 | 97.1 |
| 18 | McClure Junior High School | Western Springs (101) | 6-8 | 530 | 0 | $5,819 | 18.4 | 97.6 |
| 19 | Highcrest Middle School | Wilmette (39) | 5-6 | 806 | 1 | $8,067 | 15.7 | 97 |
| 20 | Hoover Math and Science Academy | Schaumburg (54) | PK-6 | 439 | 3.6 | $7,881 | 16.5 | 97.1 |
Top 20 high schools in Cook County
| School | Town (District) | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glenbrook North High School | Northbrook (225) | 2,123 | 5.6 | $11,224 | 98.2 | 26.3 | 86.4 |
| 2 | New Trier Township High School | Winnetka (203) | 3,097 | 3.9 | $12,043 | 96.3 | 27.5 | 89.8 |
| 3 | Prospect High School | Mount Prospect (214) | 2,161 | 8.4 | $10,515 | 96.1 | 25.2 | 79.4 |
| 4 | Glenbrook South High School | Glenview (225) | 2,639 | 18.1 | $11,224 | 97.9 | 24.7 | 75 |
| 5 | John Hersey High School | Arlington Heights (214) | 2,056 | 11.1 | $10,515 | 95.4 | 25.2 | 78 |
| 6 | Maine South High School | Park Ridge (207) | 2,596 | 7.7 | $11,364 | 93.3 | 25 | 78.3 |
| 7 | William Fremd High School | Palatine (211) | 2,876 | 11.3 | $9,263 | 95.8 | 24.8 | 76.4 |
| 8 | Buffalo Grove High School | Buffalo Grove (214) | 2,125 | 16.1 | $10,515 | 96.6 | 23.4 | 65 |
| 9 | Riverside Brookfield High School | Riverside (208) | 1,440 | 17.5 | $10,117 | 94.7 | 23.3 | 76 |
| 10 | Oak Park and River Forest High School | Oak Park (200) | 3,241 | 20.3 | $10,600 | 94 | 24.1 | 69.9 |
| 11 | James B. Conant High School | Hoffman Estates (211) | 2,424 | 19.5 | $9,263 | 98.1 | 22.9 | 69.8 |
| 12 | Carl Sandburg High School | Orland Park (230) | 3,599 | 7.1 | $8,102 | 96.8 | 23 | 70.5 |
| 13 | Lyons Township High School | La Grange (204) | 3,885 | 13 | $9,452 | 89.8 | 24.1 | 73 |
| 14 | Proviso Math and Science Academy | Forest Park (209) | 769 | 45.3 | $7,583 | 100 | 21.5 | 72.2 |
| 15 | Lemont High School | Lemont (210) | 1,485 | 6.4 | $8,693 | 91.2 | 23 | 71.8 |
| 16 | Victor J. Andrew High School | Orland Hills (230) | 2,288 | 9.6 | $8,102 | 95.8 | 22.8 | 68.2 |
| 17 | Niles West High School | Skokie (219) | 2,560 | 30.1 | $12,563 | 91.1 | 21.9 | 63.8 |
| 18 | Niles North High School | Skokie (219) | 2,170 | 31.6 | $12,563 | 90 | 22.2 | 62.6 |
| 19 | Schaumburg High School | Schaumburg (211) | 2,486 | 26.3 | $9,263 | 95.6 | 21.9 | 62 |
| 20 | Amos Alonzo Stagg High School | Palos Hills (230) | 2,516 | 22.9 | $8,102 | 95.3 | 21.1 | 59.7 |
NOTES: All data are from 2010-11. Low income is the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. ISAT is a composite percentage of students who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Illinois Standards achievement Test. ACT is an average for student performance on the ACT college entrance exam (36 is the highest possible score). PSAE is the percentage of 11th graders who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. SOURCE: Illinois State Board of Education
Top 10 elementary schools in Dupage County
| School | Town (District) | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brook Forest Elementary School | Oak Brook (53) | PK-5 | 267 | 3.7 | $11,431 | 9.8 | 99.7 |
| 2 | Butler Junior High School | Oak Brook (53) | 6-8 | 149 | 3.4 | $11,431 | 9.8 | 98.3 |
| 3 | Clarendon Hills Middle School | Clarendon Hills (181) | 6-8 | 629 | 3.2 | $8,619 | 17 | 98.7 |
| 4 | Hinsdale Middle School | Hinsdale (181) | 6-8 | 782 | 4.5 | $8,619 | 17 | 97.6 |
| 5 | Lane Elementary School | Hinsdale (181) | K-5 | 382 | 2.1 | $8,619 | 17 | 97.6 |
| 6 | Gower Middle School | Burr Ridge (62) | 5-8 | 420 | 8.8 | $8,066 | 15.4 | 97.7 |
| 7 | Monroe Elementary School | Hinsdale (181) | PK-5 | 443 | 1.8 | $8,619 | 17 | 97.5 |
| 8 | Walker School | Clarendon Hills (181) | K-5 | 311 | 4.2 | $8,619 | 17 | 97.4 |
| 9 | Prospect Elementary School | Clarendon Hills (181) | K-5 | 436 | 3 | $8,619 | 17 | 97.1 |
| 10 | Madison Elementary School | Hinsdale (181) | K-5 | 449 | 2.9 | $8,619 | 17 | 97 |
Top 10 high schools in Dupage County
| School | Town (District) | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinsdale Central High School | Hinsdale (86) | 2,740 | 4.3 | $10,910 | 97 | 26.4 | 87.7 |
| 2 | Naperville Central High School | Naperville (203) | 2,941 | 6.6 | $7,458 | 97.8 | 25.2 | 81.5 |
| 3 | Neuqua Valley High School | Naperville (204) | 4,302 | 6.9 | $6,637 | 99.1 | 25.2 | 83.2 |
| 4 | Naperville North High School | Naperville (203) | 3,186 | 12 | $7,458 | 92.7 | 25.6 | 77.9 |
| 5 | North High School | Downers Grove (99) | 2,171 | 16 | $9,659 | 91.9 | 24.3 | 76 |
| 6 | Wheaton North High School | Wheaton (200) | 2,173 | 24.8 | $7,271 | 87.9 | 24.4 | 73.3 |
| 7 | York Community High School | Elmhurst (205) | 2,646 | 13.3 | $7,694 | 90.1 | 23.5 | 72.7 |
| 8 | Wheaton Warrenville South High School | Wheaton (200) | 2,310 | 21.3 | $7,271 | 91.7 | 24.1 | 70.7 |
| 9 | Lisle High School | Lisle (202) | 581 | 20.7 | $9,716 | 90 | 23.1 | 70.6 |
| 10 | Waubonsie Valley High School | Aurora (204) | 2,951 | 17.6 | $6,637 | 96.2 | 23.6 | 69.2 |
NOTES: All data are from 2010-11. Low income is the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. ISAT is a composite percentage of students who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Illinois Standards achievement Test. ACT is an average for student performance on the ACT college entrance exam (36 is the highest possible score). PSAE is the percentage of 11th graders who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. SOURCE: Illinois State Board of Education
Top 10 elementary schools in Lake County
| School | Town (District) | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braeside Elementary School | Highland Park (112) | K-5 | 273 | 2.2 | $8,959 | 14.4 | 98.8 |
| 2 | Everett Elementary School | Lake Forest (67) | K-4 | 376 | 0.5 | $7,638 | 12.9 | 98.8 |
| 3 | Cherokee Elementary School | Lake Forest (67) | K-4 | 359 | 0.8 | $7,638 | 12.9 | 98.1 |
| 4 | Lincoln Elementary School | Highland Park (112) | K-5 | 282 | 5.7 | $8,959 | 14.4 | 97.4 |
| 5 | Daniel Wright Junior High School | Lincolnshire (103) | 5-8 | 791 | 1.4 | $8,703 | 14.8 | 97.4 |
| 6 | Ravinia Elementary School | Highland Park (112) | K-5 | 327 | 5.5 | $8,959 | 14.4 | 96.8 |
| 7 | Twin Groves Middle School | Buffalo Grove (96) | 6-8 | 569 | 3 | $7,492 | 15.9 | 98.5 |
| 8 | South Park Elementary School | Deerfield (109) | PK-5 | 508 | 0.4 | $8,599 | 15.4 | 97.9 |
| 9 | Wilmot Elementary School | Deerfield (109) | K-5 | 593 | 0.3 | $8,599 | 15.4 | 97.1 |
| 10 | Kildeer Countryside Elementary School | Long Grove (96) | 1-5 | 524 | 2.1 | $7,492 | 15.9 | 98 |
Top 10 high schools in Lake County
| School | Town (District) | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deerfield High School | Deerfield (113) | 1,718 | 1.5 | $10,849 | 97.2 | 27.1 | 88.4 |
| 2 | Lake Forest High School | Lake Forest (115) | 1,739 | 3.6 | $12,008 | 94.2 | 26.8 | 82.1 |
| 3 | Libertyville High School | Libertyville (128) | 2,037 | 5 | $11,178 | 95.8 | 25.2 | 80.6 |
| 4 | Adlai E. Stevenson High School | Lincolnshire (125) | 4,253 | 4.2 | $9,696 | 93 | 26.2 | 86.8 |
| 5 | Vernon Hills High School | Vernon Hills (128) | 1,354 | 9.4 | $11,178 | 92.5 | 24.8 | 80.8 |
| 6 | Highland Park High School | Highland Park (113) | 2,026 | 13.5 | $10,849 | 90.4 | 26 | 75 |
| 7 | Barrington High School | Barrington (220) | 3,037 | 14.5 | $7,757 | 92.2 | 25 | 78.3 |
| 8 | Lake Zurich High School | Lake Zurich (95) | 2,235 | 7.7 | $6,480 | 100 | 24.3 | 74 |
| 9 | Lakes Community High School | Lake Villa (117) | 1,415 | 11.8 | $8,709 | 89.3 | 22 | 67.3 |
| 10 | Grayslake Central High School | Grayslake (127) | 1,354 | 11.6 | $7,284 | 88.9 | 22.7 | 66 |
NOTES: All data are from 2010-11. Low income is the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. ISAT is a composite percentage of students who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Illinois Standards achievement Test. ACT is an average for student performance on the ACT college entrance exam (36 is the highest possible score). PSAE is the percentage of 11th graders who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. SOURCE: Illinois State Board of Education
Top 5 elementary schools in Kane County
| School | Town (District) | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mill Creek School | Geneva (304) | K-5 | 389 | 0.8 | $6,248 | 18 | 95.8 |
| 2 | Bell-Graham Elementary School | St. Charles (303) | K-5 | 571 | 2.6 | $6,332 | 18.4 | 95.5 |
| 3 | Haines Middle School | St. Charles (303) | 6-8 | 1,109 | 5.2 | $6,332 | 18.4 | 95.4 |
| 4 | Geneva Middle School South | Geneva (304) | 6-8 | 725 | 3.6 | $6,248 | 18 | 95.3 |
| 5 | Geneva Middle School North | Geneva (304) | 6-8 | 724 | 5.5 | $6,248 | 18 | 94.8 |
Top 1 high school in Kane County
| School | Town (District) | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geneva Community High School | Geneva (304) | 1,979 | 5.2 | $6,248 | 96 | 24.1 | 76.2 |
Top 5 elementary schools in McHenry County
| School | Town (District) | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prairie Grove Jr. High School | Crystal Lake (46) | 6-8 | 380 | 14.2 | $6,308 | 16.4 | 96.5 |
| 2 | Woods Creek Elementary School | Crystal Lake (47) | K-5 | 656 | 10.1 | $6,059 | 17.5 | 95.1 |
| 3 | Algonquin Road Elementary School | Fox River Grove (3) | PK-4 | 283 | 15.9 | $6,425 | 15.3 | 92.7 |
| 4 | Heineman Middle School | Algonquin (158) | 6-8 | 790 | 10.1 | $4,622 | 18.7 | 95.1 |
| 5 | Conley Elementary School | Algonquin (158) | 3-5 | 712 | 12.5 | $4,622 | 18.7 | 93.2 |
Top 1 high school in McHenry County
| School | Town (District) | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cary-Grove High School | Cary (155) | 1,820 | 12.5 | $8,600 | 94.7 | 23.4 | 74 |
Top 5 elementary schools in Will County
| School | Town (District) | Grades | Enroll-ment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | ClassSize | ISAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fry Elementary School | Naperville (204) | K-5 | 798 | 3.1 | $6,637 | 18.7 | 97.6 |
| 2 | Eisenhower Academy | Joliet (86) | 1-5 | 283 | 30 | $5,607 | 22.4 | 98.2 |
| 3 | River Woods Elementary School | Naperville (203) | K-5 | 452 | 2 | $7,458 | 19.1 | 97 |
| 4 | Gordon Gregory Middle School | Naperville (204) | 6-8 | 986 | 7.5 | $6,637 | 18.7 | 96.4 |
| 5 | Robert Clow Elementary School | Naperville (204) | K-5 | 427 | 8.7 | $6,637 | 18.7 | 96.3 |
Top 1 high school in Will County
| School | Town (District) | Enrollment | % LowIncome | Spending Per Pupil | GraduaionRate | ACT | PSAE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln-Way East High School | Frankfort (210) | 2,271 | 8 | $6,509 | 92.3 | 23.6 | 76.3 |
NOTES: All data are from 2010-11. Low income is the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. ISAT is a composite percentage of students who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Illinois Standards achievement Test. ACT is an average for student performance on the ACT college entrance exam (36 is the highest possible score). PSAE is the percentage of 11th graders who meet or exceed minimum state standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. SOURCE: Illinois State Board of Education
PLUS: How we ranked the schools
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