Best Public Schools in Elgin, IL

The city of Elgin, Illinois is home to 26 schools, including 19 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 2 high schools, spread across two school districts: School District U-46 and Central CUSD 301. The schools serve a diverse student population, with varying academic performance and socioeconomic factors.

Among the standout schools in Elgin are Prairie Knolls Middle School (Central CUSD 301), which ranks 93rd out of 1,367 Illinois middle schools and has a 5-star rating, and Country Trails Elementary (Central CUSD 301), which ranks 366th out of 2,077 Illinois elementary schools and has a 4-star rating. These schools demonstrate strong academic performance, with over 60% of students proficient in English Language Arts and over 40% proficient in Mathematics. In contrast, many of the schools in the School District U-46 have single-digit proficiency rates in these subjects.

The data also reveals high rates of chronic absenteeism, with several schools reporting over 30% of students chronically absent, and a correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools serving higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch tending to have lower proficiency rates. The Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter school stands out as a diverse and high-performing charter option, with over 25% of students proficient in English Language Arts and Mathematics.