For the 2025 school year, there are 259 blue ribbon public schools serving 148,442 students in Illinois.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon 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 score ranking.
Illinois blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Illinois (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Payton College Preparatory High School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Grades: 9-12
| 1,265 students
Rank: #22.
Northside College Preparatory High School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Grades: 9-12
| 1,032 students
Rank: #33.
Jones College Prep High School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,973 students
Rank: #44.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Grades: 7-12
| 2,221 students
Rank: #55.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Grades: K-8
| 265 students
Rank: #66.
Lane Technical High School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Grades: 7-12
| 4,525 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Brook Forest Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
60 Regent Dr
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 325-6888
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 325-6888
Grades: K-5
| 279 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Thurgood Marshall School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4664 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 490-5400
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 490-5400
Grades: 5-8
| 483 students
Rank: #99.
Oak Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
950 S Oak St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Grades: PK-5
| 396 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Grades: K-8
| 329 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Skinner North Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Grades: K-8
| 512 students
Rank: #1212.
Elm Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
15w201 60th St
Willowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 861-4000
Willowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 861-4000
Grades: K-5
| 296 students
Rank: #1313.
Prospect Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
130 N Prospect Ave
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
(630) 861-4400
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
(630) 861-4400
Grades: K-5
| 313 students
Rank: #1414.
Meadow Glens Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1150 Muirhead Ave
Naperville, IL 60565
(630) 420-3200
Naperville, IL 60565
(630) 420-3200
Grades: K-5
| 483 students
Rank: #1515.
The Lane Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
500 N Elm St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4500
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4500
Grades: K-5
| 342 students
Rank: #1616.
Highlands Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
525 S Brainard St
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6335
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6335
Grades: K-5
| 525 students
Rank: #1717.
Hickory Creek Middle School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
22150 S Owens Rd
Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 469-4474
Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 469-4474
Grades: 6-8
| 951 students
Rank: #1818.
Madison Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
611 S Madison St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4100
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4100
Grades: K-5
| 359 students
Rank: #1919.
Wescott Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1820 Western Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-4660
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-4660
Grades: K-5
| 485 students
Rank: #20 - 2320. - 23.
Bannockburn School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2165 Telegraph Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5900
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5900
Grades: K-8
| 170 students
Rank: #20 - 2320. - 23.
Daniel Wright Jr High School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1370 N Riverwoods Rd
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 295-1560
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 295-1560
Grades: 6-8
| 739 students
Rank: #20 - 2320. - 23.
Greenbriar Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2195 Cherry Ln
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7950
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7950
Grades: K-5
| 367 students
Rank: #20 - 2320. - 23.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Grades: PK-8
| 296 students
Rank: #2424.
Mcclure Jr High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 82% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4225 Wolf Rd
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Grades: 6-8
| 448 students
Rank: #2525.
Adlai E Stevenson High School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1 Stevenson Dr
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 415-4000
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 415-4000
Grades: 9-12
| 4,614 students
Rank: #2626.
New Trier Township H S Winnetka
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
385 Winnetka Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-7000
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-7000
Grades: 10-12
| 2,792 students
Rank: #2727.
Barbara B Rose Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
61 W Penny Rd
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 844-1200
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 844-1200
Grades: K-5
| 382 students
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Hinsdale Central High School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5500 S Grant St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 570-8000
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 570-8000
Grades: 9-12
| 2,436 students
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Monroe Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
210 N Madison St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4200
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4200
Grades: K-5
| 304 students
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Romona Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
600 Romona Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Grades: PK-4
| 479 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Lincoln Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
511 Park Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
Grades: K-4
| 363 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Northbrook Junior High School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Grades: 6-8
| 649 students
Rank: #3333.
Prairie Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1530 Brandywyn Ln
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 634-3144
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 634-3144
Grades: 1-5
| 463 students
Rank: #3434.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5020 Central Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Grades: PK-5
| 296 students
Rank: #3535.
Half Day School
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
239 Olde Half Day Rd
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 634-6463
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 634-6463
Grades: 3-5
| 613 students
Show 100 more public schools in Illinois (out of 259 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Illinois?
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Illinois include Payton College Preparatory High School, Northside College Preparatory High School and Jones College Prep High School.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in Illinois?
248 blue ribbon public schools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
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