Illinois is the #4 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,867,247 students across the 4,386 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are 1,656 private schools, serving 259,826 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Illinois are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Illinois is 26%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 31%.
The top ranked public schools in Illinois are Northside College Preparatory High School, Payton College Preparatory High School and Jones College Prep High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minority enrollment is 53% (majority Hispanic) and the student:teacher ratio is 14:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(IL) School Average
Asian
5%
Hispanic
27%
Black
17%
White
47%
Two or more races
4%
Top Ranked Public Schools in Illinois (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Northside College Preparatory High School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Payton College Preparatory High School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Jones College Prep High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Young Magnet High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Rank: #55.
Skinner North Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Rank: #66.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-8
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Rank: #77.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Rank: #88.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Cntr
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Brook Forest Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
60 Regent Dr
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 325-6888
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 325-6888
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Thurgood Marshall School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 82% (Top 1%)
Grades: 5-8
4664 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 490-5400
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 490-5400
Best Illinois Public Schools by County (2024)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Illinois?
The top ranked public schools in Illinois include Northside College Preparatory High School, Payton College Preparatory High School and Jones College Prep High School.
How many public schools are located in Illinois?
4,386 public schools are located in Illinois.
What percentage of students in Illinois go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Illinois are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Minority enrollment in Illinois is 53% (majority Hispanic)
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