Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
Best Public High Schools in Dekalb County (2026)

Best Dekalb County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 5,180 students in Dekalb County, IL.
The top-ranked public high schools in Dekalb County, IL are Sycamore High School, Somonauk High School and Hinckley-big Rock High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dekalb County, IL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 29% statewide average). High schools in Dekalb County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public high schools.
Dekalb County, IL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Sycamore High School, with 94% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Dekalb County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sycamore High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
427 Spartan Trl
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 899-8160
Gr: 9-12 | 1,161 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Somonauk High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
501 W Market St
Somonauk, IL 60552
(815) 498-2314
Gr: 9-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Hinckley-big Rock High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
700 E Lincoln Ave
Hinckley, IL 60520
(815) 286-7501
Gr: 9-12 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #44.
Sandwich Community High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Lions Rd
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-2157
Gr: 9-12 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
Indian Creek High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
506 S Shabbona Rd
Shabbona, IL 60550
(815) 824-2197
Gr: 9-12 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Genoa-kingston High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
980 Park Ave
Genoa, IL 60135
(815) 784-5111
Gr: 9-12 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Dekalb High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
501 W Dresser Rd
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2100
Gr: 9-12 | 2,134 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #88.
Hiawatha Jr/sr High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
410 1st St
Kirkland, IL 60146
(815) 522-3335
Gr: 6-12 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
Beyond One Barb Transition Center
Alternative School
530 Charter St
Dekalb, IL 60115
(815) 754-2100
Gr: 12
Rank: n/an/a
Indian Valley Area Voc Center
Vocational School
600 Lions Rd
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-9873
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Kec Area Voc Center
Vocational School
21255 Malta Rd
Malta, IL 60150
(815) 825-2000
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Kec Central Efe 170
Alternative School
21255 Malta Rd
Malta, IL 60150
(815) 825-2000
Gr: 7-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Dekalb County, IL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Dekalb County, IL include Sycamore High School, Somonauk High School and Hinckley-big Rock High School.
How many public high schools are located in Dekalb County?
11 public high schools are located in Dekalb County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dekalb County?
Dekalb County public high schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Dekalb County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.