For the 2025 school year, there are 643 public middle schools serving 314,341 students in Cook County, IL.
The top ranked public middle schools in Cook County, IL are Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Young Magnet High School and Lane Technical High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cook County, IL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 25% (versus the 29% statewide average). Middle schools in Cook County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Cook County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Gr: 1-8 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #22.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Gr: 7-12 | 2,221 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #33.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Gr: 7-12 | 4,525 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Gr: K-8 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Gr: K-8 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #66.
Skinner North Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Gr: K-8 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #77.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
525 Sunset Ridge Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 881-9459
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 881-9459
Gr: 4-8 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
615 W Kemper Pl
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Gr: K-8 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #99.
Northbrook Junior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Gr: 6-8 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1010.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
(Math: 80% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3319 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Gr: K-8 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1111.
Wood Oaks Jr High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1250 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1212.
Central School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
620 Greenwood Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Marie Murphy School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2921 Illinois Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3617
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3617
Gr: 6-8 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1414.
The Joseph Sears School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
542 Abbotsford Rd
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 853-3803
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 853-3803
Gr: PK-8 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1515.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1616.
Mcclure Jr High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4225 Wolf Rd
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Gr: 6-8 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1717.
Bronzeville Classical Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8 W Root St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8085
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8085
Gr: K-7 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1818.
Skinner Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Gr: PK-8 | 1,049 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1919.
Maple School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2370 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 400-8905
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 400-8905
Gr: 6-8 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2020.
Carleton W Washburne School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
515 Hibbard Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-5892
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-5892
Gr: 7-8 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2121.
Burley Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1630 W Barry Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5475
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5475
Gr: K-8 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2222.
Mcdade Elementary Classical School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8801 S Indiana Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 535-3669
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 535-3669
Gr: K-8 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Wilmette Junior High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
620 Locust Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6600
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6600
Gr: 7-8 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2424.
Mayer Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2250 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5535
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5535
Gr: PK-8 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2525.
H H Conrady Jr High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7950 W 97th St
Hickory Hills, IL 60457
(708) 233-4500
Hickory Hills, IL 60457
(708) 233-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,013 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2626.
Field School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2055 Landwehr Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6884
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6884
Gr: 6-8 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2727.
Margaret Mead Junior High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1765 Biesterfield Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 357-6000
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 357-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 637 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2828.
Roosevelt School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7560 Oak Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-9230
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-9230
Gr: 5-8 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2929.
Palos South Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
13100 S 82nd Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-5971
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-5971
Gr: 6-8 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3030.
Park Junior High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
325 N Park Rd
La Grange Park, IL 60526
(708) 215-7100
La Grange Park, IL 60526
(708) 215-7100
Gr: 7-8 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3131.
Prescott Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1632 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5505
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5505
Gr: K-8 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #3232.
Coonley Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4046 N Leavitt St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5140
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5140
Gr: K-8 | 772 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3333.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3730 N Oakley Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5150
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5150
Gr: K-8 | 848 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3434.
Poe Elementary Classical School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10538 S Langley Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 535-5525
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 535-5525
Gr: K-8 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1650 W Cornelia Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5484
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5484
Gr: PK-8 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Show 100 more public schools in Cook County, IL (out of 643 total schools)
Loading...
Cook County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
A E R O Educational Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
7600 Mason Ave
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
A.e.r.o-connect Prog-satellite (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
7600 Mason Ave
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
A.e.r.o-functional Academy Learning (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
7600 Mason Ave
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
A.e.r.o-star (Autism)-satellite (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
7600 Mason Ave
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
A.e.r.o. Ec Program-satellite (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
7600 Mason Ave
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3920
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3920
A.e.r.o.-comm. Develop.-satellite (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
7600 Mason Ave
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 496-3330
730 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 534-6980
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 534-6980
Gr: 9-12 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
3630 S Wells St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-1660
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-1660
Gr: K-8 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Academy For Learning (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
13813 Western Ave
Blue Island, IL 60406
(708) 597-8862
Blue Island, IL 60406
(708) 597-8862
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Academy For Learning (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
306 E 144th St
Dolton, IL 60419
(708) 841-1063
Dolton, IL 60419
(708) 841-1063
Gr: 9-12
4319 West Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 626-4200
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 626-4200
Gr: 7-12
Ace Technical Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
5410 S State St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 548-8705
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 548-8705
Gr: 9-12 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 38:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Ace Technical Charter High School (Closed 2006)
Charter School
1455 S Mich Ste 218
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 880-0261
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 880-0261
Alop Alternative High School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
4655 South Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8500
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8500
Gr: 9-12
1340 West 71st St
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-3250
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-3250
Gr: PK-8 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
4747 South Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 534-4276
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 534-4276
Gr: 3-8
6315 S Claremont Av
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-9070
Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 535-9070
900 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 534-2610
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 534-2610
Gr: 8 | 36 students Minority enrollment: 97%
5345 West Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6365
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6365
Gr: 3-6 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Arts Of Living Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1855 N Sheffield Av
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-8586
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-8586
Aspira Charter Schools (Closed 2018)
Charter School
1711 N California
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-0970
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-0970
Gr: 6-12 | 1,290 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
5055 S State St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-1270
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-1270
Gr: 2-8 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
231 N Pine Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6316
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6316
Gr: 9-12
231 N Pine Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6300
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6300
Gr: 11-12 | 580 students
231 N Pine Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6300
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 534-6300
Gr: 9-12
2945 North Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5244
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5244
Gr: PK-5
6656 South Normal Blvd
Chicago, IL 60621
(773) 535-3020
Chicago, IL 60621
(773) 535-3020
Gr: PK-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
2755 North Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 549-8070
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 549-8070
Gr: 7-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
2330 East 99th St
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 356-9988
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 356-9988
Gr: 9-12 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 60:1
819 N Leamington Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 854-1188
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 854-1188
Gr: 9-12 | 65 students
2040 West Adams St
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-7610
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-7610
Gr: 9-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
3030 West Arthington St
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-6890
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-6890
Gr: PK-8 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
2710 S Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 534-9160
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 534-9160
Gr: 11-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
4946 S Paulina St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-9219
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-9219
Gr: 11-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Show 100 more closed public schools in Cook County, IL (out of 323 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Cook County, IL?
The top ranked public middle schools in Cook County, IL include Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Young Magnet High School and Lane Technical High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Cook County?
643 public middle schools are located in Cook County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cook County?
Cook County public middle schools minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cook County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Cook County include: Corkery Elementary School vs. Zapata Elementary Academy, Percy Julian Middle School vs. Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, Rowe Elementary School vs. Lozano Elementary Bilingual & Intl Center
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.