Beta You're viewing our redesigned school list. Prefer the classic layout?

Best Public Schools in Chicago, IL


At a glance
649
Schools
326,748
Students
9
Districts
34
5-star schools
Top rankedPayton College Preparatory High School3rd of 698 Illinois high schools
Biggest riser
Perez Elementary School up 533 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
Ogden Intermediate High School 5 students per teacher
Newly ranked this year
Williams Medical Prep High School
SchoolDigger ratings
2★
1★
0★
38 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

The city of Chicago, Illinois is home to a diverse array of 631 schools, including 465 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 149 high schools, and 6 alternative schools. These schools serve students across the city and provide a range of educational opportunities.

Some of the standout schools in the area include Lane Technical High School, which ranks among the top high schools in Illinois with exceptional test scores, a high graduation rate, and a low dropout rate. Other top-performing schools include Payton College Preparatory High School, Northside College Preparatory High School, and Hancock College Preparatory High School, all of which have received 5-star ratings and demonstrate outstanding academic performance across various subject areas.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in academic achievement among the schools in the Chicago Public Schools District 299. While the top-performing schools excel, some schools struggle with low test scores, high dropout rates, and high chronic absenteeism. These disparities appear to be correlated with socioeconomic factors, as schools with higher rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower academic performance. Addressing these inequities and providing adequate resources to all schools in the district will be crucial in ensuring that every student in Chicago has access to a high-quality education.

Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private




Cities Near Chicago

See the top IL Illinois cities
SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.

Diagnostics