Illinois is the #4 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,884,191 students across the 4,376 public schools for the 2023 school year (there are 1,631 private schools, serving 259,863 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.
There are 237 Blue Ribbon Schools, 138 charter schools and 220 special education schools. Minority enrollment is 53% (majority Hispanic).
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 (2023)
School (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 Center
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 (2023)
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?
4,376 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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