Best Public Schools in Elgin, IL

The city of Elgin, Illinois is home to 25 schools, including 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 2 high schools. The majority of these schools are part of the School District U-46, while 3 schools belong to the Central CUSD 301 district and 1 is a charter school, the Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter.

Among the standout schools in Elgin are Prairie Knolls Middle School and Country Trails Elementary, both part of the Central CUSD 301 district, which consistently rank among the top schools in Illinois. In contrast, many of the U-46 district schools, such as Abbott Middle School and Coleman Elementary School, perform significantly below state averages in academic proficiency. However, Hilltop Elementary School, a U-46 school, stands out with proficiency rates that exceed the district and often match or surpass state levels.

Across the Elgin school system, there are several concerning trends, including high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 25.4% to 25.4%, and low graduation rates at the high school level, with both Elgin High School and Larkin High School having a 89% four-year graduation rate, slightly below the state average. Additionally, many U-46 schools have a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant socioeconomic challenges facing the student population.