Illinois is the #4 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,852,049 students across the 4,407 public schools for the 2024-25 school year (there are 1,707 private schools, serving 261,056 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Illinois are educated in public schools, compared to the national average of 89%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Illinois is 26%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 30%.
The top ranked public schools in Illinois are Payton College Preparatory High School, Northside 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 scores.
Minority enrollment is 54% (majority Hispanic) and the student:teacher ratio is 14:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(IL) School Average
Asian
6%
Hispanic
28%
Black
16%
White
46%
Two or more races
4%
Top Ranked Public Schools in Illinois (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Payton College Preparatory High School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (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: #22.
Northside College Preparatory High School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (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: #33.
Jones College Prep High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (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: #44.
Young Magnet High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (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.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (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: #66.
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: #77.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (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: #88.
Reservoir Gifted School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 5-8
3706 N Grand Blvd
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 672-6563
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 672-6563
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
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 - 119. - 11.
Thurgood Marshall 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: 1-4
4704 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3370
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3370
Best Illinois Public Schools by County (2024-25)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Illinois?
The top ranked public schools in Illinois include Payton College Preparatory High School, Northside College Preparatory High School and Jones College Prep High School.
How many public schools are located in Illinois?
4,407 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 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Minority enrollment in Illinois is 54% (majority Hispanic)
Which public schools in Illinois are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Illinois include: Lincoln Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Dunlap Valley Middle School vs. Dunlap Middle School, J Sterling Morton East High School vs. J Sterling Morton West High School
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