Illinois is the #4 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,841,658 students across the 4,382 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 1,624 private schools, serving 251,324 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Illinois is 27%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 30%.
The top-ranked public schools in Illinois are Illinois Mathematics And Science, Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, and Northside College Preparatory High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Illinois (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Illinois Mathematics And Science
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 10-12
1500 Sullivan Rd
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 907-5053
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 907-5053
Rank: #22.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-8
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Rank: #33.
Northside College Preparatory High School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Rank: #44.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Rank: #55.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Rank: #66.
Payton College Preparatory High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Jones College Prep High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Oak Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
950 S Oak St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Rank: #1010.
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-4
4704 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3370
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3370
Overview
This State (IL)
US
# Schools
4,382 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
1,841,658 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
137,830 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (IL)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
41%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
43%
Graduation Rate
87.6%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
43%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.70
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
4,536 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
105,448 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
6%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
526,476 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
29%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
298,989 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
16%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
820,567 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
45%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
1,551 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
83,177 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (IL)
Statewide Total Revenue
$46,284 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$44,509 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$25,132
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$24,168
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Illinois Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked public schools in Illinois include Illinois Mathematics And Science, Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, and Northside College Preparatory High School.
How many public schools are located in Illinois?
4,382 public schools are located in Illinois.
What percentage of students in Illinois go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Minority enrollment in Illinois is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Illinois are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Illinois include: Parkview Jr High School vs. Washington Intermediate School, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Cics - Ralph Ellison Campus vs. Cics - Northtown Campus
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