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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Chicago Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 647 public schools serving 325,331 students in Chicago, IL (there are 379 private schools, serving 69,514 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Chicago, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Chicago, IL are Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Northside College Preparatory High School and Young Magnet High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Chicago, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 20% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Chicago have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Chicago, IL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Gr: 1-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #22.
Northside College Preparatory High School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Gr: 9-12 | 1,061 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Gr: 7-12 | 2,223 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #44.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Gr: 7-12 | 4,604 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #55.
Payton College Preparatory High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Gr: 9-12 | 1,260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Gr: K-8 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Jones College Prep High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,954 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #88.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Gr: K-8 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #99.
Skinner North Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Gr: K-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1010.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
615 W Kemper Pl
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Gr: K-8 | 868 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
(Math: 80% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3319 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Gr: K-8 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1313.
Bronzeville Classical Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8 W Root St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8085
Gr: K-8 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1414.
Skinner Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Gr: PK-8 | 1,139 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1515.
Burley Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1630 W Barry Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5475
Gr: K-8 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1616.
Mcdade Elementary Classical School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8801 S Indiana Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 535-3669
Gr: K-8 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Mayer Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2250 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5535
Gr: PK-8 | 707 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1818.
Prescott Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1632 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5505
Gr: K-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1919.
Coonley Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4046 N Leavitt St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5140
Gr: K-8 | 723 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2020.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3730 N Oakley Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5150
Gr: K-8 | 902 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2121.
Poe Elementary Classical School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10538 S Langley Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 535-5525
Gr: K-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2222.
Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1650 W Cornelia Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5484
Gr: PK-8 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Beard Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6445 W Strong St
Chicago, IL 60656
(773) 534-1228
Gr: PK-3 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Cook Co Juvenile-jefferson Alt High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1100 S Hamilton Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 433-7110
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Excel Academy - Englewood High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7141 S Morgan St
Chicago, IL 60621
(773) 675-6654
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Pathways In Education - Humboldt
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2421 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 553-1530
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Rudolph Elementary Learning Center
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1628 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-7460
Gr: PK-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Simpson Academy High School For Young Women
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1321 S Paulina St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7812
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #23 - 2923. - 29.
Vaughn Occupational High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4355 N Linder Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 534-3600
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #3030.
Blaine Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1420 W Grace St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 534-5750
Gr: PK-8 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3131.
Alcott Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2625 N Orchard St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5460
Gr: PK-8 | 567 students Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3232.
Healy Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3010 S Parnell Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 534-9190
Gr: K-8 | 1,194 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3333.
Sheridan Elementary Math & Science Academy
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
533 W 27th St
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 534-9120
Gr: K-8 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3434.
Brooks College Prep Academy High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
250 E 111th St
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 535-9930
Gr: 7-12 | 1,007 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3535.
Sauganash Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6040 N Kilpatrick Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 534-3470
Gr: PK-8 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Chicago, IL?
How many public schools are located in Chicago?
647 public schools are located in Chicago.
What percentage of students in Chicago go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Chicago are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Chicago?
Chicago public schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Chicago are often viewed compared to one another?

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