Lake Forest High School is a public four-year high school located in Lake Forest, Illinois, a North Shore suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.
Serving 1,359 students in grades 9-12, Lake Forest High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 62% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 61% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,359 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- Minority Enrollment: 24%
- Graduation Rate: 98% (Top 1% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 62% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 61% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 75% (Top 10%)
- Attendance Zone: Lake Forest High School serves the entire district of Lake Forest, IL, encompassing approximately 21.5 square miles. Most students can expect a typical drive of 5-10 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance area located about 4.8 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Lake Forest High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Most improved public schools
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Lake Forest High School's student population of 1,359 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 131 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,359 students
Total Classroom Teachers
131 teachers
Year Founded
1935
Colors
Royal blue, Gold
School Calendar
School Rankings
Lake Forest High School ranks within the top 5% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Lake Forest High School is 0.41, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#142 out of 3542 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
6%
6%
Hispanic
12%
29%
Black
1%
16%
White
76%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
98%
87%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)11.4%
29.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
4%
43%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Forest High School's ranking?
Lake Forest High School is ranked #142 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Lake Forest High School often compared to?
Lake Forest High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Deerfield High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
62% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while 61% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Lake Forest High School?
The graduation rate of Lake Forest High School is 98%, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Lake Forest High School?
1,359 students attend Lake Forest High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
76% of Lake Forest High School students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Lake Forest High School?
Lake Forest High School has a student ration of 10:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Lake Forest High School offer ?
Lake Forest High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Lake Forest High School part of?
Lake Forest High School is part of Lake Forest CHSD 115 School District.
School Reviews
Review Lake Forest High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The First Six Weeks at a New Public School
The first six weeks reveal how children are adapting to a new public school. Learn which academic, social, emotional, attendance, and routine signals parents should monitor closely.
Will Your Child Receive Enough Individual Attention? Looking Beyond Student-Teacher Ratios
Student-teacher ratios reveal only part of a school’s story. Learn how families can evaluate class size, staffing, teacher access, tutoring, feedback, and personalized support for children today.
What Families Should Ask About AI Use in Public Schools
Families need clear answers about classroom AI. Learn what to ask public schools about teaching, academic integrity, privacy, teacher oversight, equity, and student learning before concerns arise.
