Top 10 Best Cook County Public Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 1390 public schools serving 684,482 students in Cook County, IL (there are 801 private schools, serving 136,503 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Cook County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Cook County, IL 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.
Cook County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Cook County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 54% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cook County (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Payton College Preparatory High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Grades: 9-12
| 1,233 students
Rank: #22.
Northside College Preparatory High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Grades: 9-12
| 1,040 students
Rank: #33.
Jones College Prep High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,941 students
Rank: #44.
Young Magnet High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Grades: 7-12
| 2,148 students
Rank: #55.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Grades: 1-8
| 213 students
Rank: #66.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Grades: K-8
| 267 students
Rank: #77.
Lane Technical High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Grades: 7-12
| 4,496 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Grades: K-8
| 323 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Skinner North Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Grades: K-8
| 490 students
Rank: #1010.
Westmoor Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2500 Cherry Ln
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7960
Grades: PK-5
| 369 students
Rank: #1111.
Greeley Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
275 Fairview Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-6060
Grades: K-4
| 307 students
Rank: #1212.
Wescott Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1820 Western Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-4660
Grades: K-5
| 498 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Greenbriar Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2195 Cherry Ln
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7950
Grades: K-5
| 360 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Grades: PK-8
| 289 students
Rank: #1515.
Mcclure Jr High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 82% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4225 Wolf Rd
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Grades: 6-8
| 455 students
Rank: #1616.
The Joseph Sears School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
542 Abbotsford Rd
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 853-3803
Grades: PK-8
| 471 students
Rank: #1717.
New Trier Township H S Winnetka
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
385 Winnetka Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-7000
Grades: 10-12
| 2,856 students
Rank: #1818.
Shabonee School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1000 Pfingsten Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-4970
Grades: 3-5
| 428 students
Rank: #1919.
Romona Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
600 Romona Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Grades: PK-4
| 504 students
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Bronzeville Classical Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8 W Root St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8085
Grades: K-6
| 395 students
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Lincoln Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
511 Park Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
Grades: K-4
| 350 students
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Northbrook Junior High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Grades: 6-8
| 631 students
Rank: #2323.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
525 Sunset Ridge Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 881-9459
Grades: 4-8
| 249 students
Rank: #2424.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5020 Central Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Grades: PK-5
| 311 students
Rank: #2525.
Willowbrook Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2500 Happy Hollow Rd
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 400-8803
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Rank: #2626.
Wood Oaks Jr High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1250 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Grades: 6-8
| 475 students
Rank: #2727.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3319 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Grades: K-8
| 604 students
Rank: #2828.
Glenbrook North High School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2300 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6400
Grades: 9-12
| 2,062 students
Rank: #2929.
Central Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
910 Central Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6100
Grades: K-4
| 442 students
Rank: #3030.
Marie Murphy School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2921 Illinois Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3617
Grades: 6-8
| 276 students
Rank: #3131.
Central School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
620 Greenwood Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Grades: 5-8
| 568 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Lincoln Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
615 W Kemper Pl
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Grades: K-8
| 811 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Skinner Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Grades: PK-8
| 976 students
Rank: #3434.
Meadowbrook Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1600 Walters Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7940
Grades: K-5
| 482 students
Rank: #3535.
Harper Elementary School
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1101 Dartmouth St
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6200
Grades: K-4
| 385 students
Show 100 more public schools in Cook County, IL (out of 1,390 total schools)
Loading...
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Cook County, IL

Cook County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
730 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 534-6980
Grades: 9-12
| 488 students
3630 S Wells St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-1660
Grades: K-8
| 95 students
Academy For Learning (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
13813 Western Ave
Blue Island, IL 60406
(708) 597-8862
Grades: 9-12
| 218 students
4319 West Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 626-4200
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
5410 S State St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 548-8705
Grades: 9-12
| 306 students
1455 S Mich Ste 218
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 880-0261
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
8901 South 52nd Ave
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 499-7688
Grades: PK-K
| n/a students
4655 South Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8500
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1340 West 71st St
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-3250
Grades: PK-8
| 437 students
4747 South Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 534-4276
Grades: 3-8
| n/a students
6315 S Claremont Av
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-9070
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
900 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 534-2610
Grades: 8
| 36 students
5345 West Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6365
Grades: 3-6
| 95 students
1855 N Sheffield Av
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-8586
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Aspira Charter Schools (Closed 2018)
Magnet School
Charter School
1711 N California
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-0970
Grades: 6-12
| 1,290 students
5055 S State St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-1270
Grades: 2-8
| 133 students
231 N Pine Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6316
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
231 N Pine Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6300
Grades: 11-12
| 580 students
231 N Pine Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6300
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
2945 North Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5244
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
6656 South Normal Blvd
Chicago, IL 60621
(773) 535-3020
Grades: PK-8
| 331 students
2755 North Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 549-8070
Grades: 7-12
| 27 students
2330 East 99th St
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 356-9988
Grades: 9-12
| 241 students
819 N Leamington Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 854-1188
Grades: 9-12
| 65 students
2040 West Adams St
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-7610
Grades: 9-12
| 73 students
3030 West Arthington St
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-6890
Grades: PK-8
| 374 students
2710 S Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 534-9160
Grades: 11-12
| 47 students
4946 S Paulina St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-9219
Grades: 11-12
| 53 students
16100 Seton Road
South Holland, IL 60473
(708) 210-2380
Grades: PK-K
| 275 students
1241 West 58th St
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-9175
Grades: PK-8
| 310 students
2710 East 89th St
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 535-6597
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
10928 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 468-1505
Grades: 9-12
| 587 students
8908 S Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 239-2037
Grades: 9-12
| 89 students
2421 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-0620
Grades: 9-12
| 61 students
230 N Kolmar Ave
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 826-1137
Grades: 9-11
| 80 students
Show 100 more closed public schools in Cook County, IL (out of 305 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Cook County, IL?
How many public schools are located in Cook County?
1,390 public schools are located in Cook County.
What percentage of students in Cook County go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Cook County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cook County?
Cook County public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 54% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cook County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?
How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?
We explore the significant impact of bullying on students' academic performance, discussing statistics, research findings, and long-term effects. It provides valuable insights for educators and parents on recognizing bullying behaviors and implementing effective prevention strategies to create a safe learning environment.
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
This comprehensive guide explores the increasing trend of legal prosecution for school fights, discussing recent incidents, age considerations, and the shift from traditional school punishments to law enforcement involvement. It provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and students about the evolving landscape of school discipline and safety measures.
Understanding Rubrics
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.