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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best School Districts in Illinois (2026)

The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a school district which have placed in the top 5% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 22% 100% Avg. Statewide: 67%

Top-Ranked School Districts in Illinois (2026)

School District
% of Schools in
Top 5% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #1-61 - 6.
Hinsdale CCSD 181 School District (IL)
100%
(9 out of 9)
Rank: #1-61 - 6.
Deerfield SD 109 School District (IL)
100%
(6 out of 6)
Rank: #1-61 - 6.
Wilmette SD 39 School District (IL)
100%
(6 out of 6)
Rank: #1-61 - 6.
Northbrook SD 28 School District (IL)
100%
(4 out of 4)
Rank: #1-61 - 6.
Western Springs SD 101 School District (IL)
100%
(4 out of 4)
Rank: #1-61 - 6.
Northbrook/Glenview SD 30 School District (IL)
100%
(3 out of 3)
Rank: #7-87 - 8.
Libertyville SD 70 School District (IL)
80%
(4 out of 5)
Rank: #7-87 - 8.
Winnetka SD 36 School District (IL)
80%
(4 out of 5)
Rank: #9-109 - 10.
North Palos SD 117 School District (IL)
60%
(3 out of 5)
Rank: #9-109 - 10.
Riverside SD 96 School District (IL)
60%
(3 out of 5)
Rank: #1111.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 School District (IL)
57%
(4 out of 7)
Rank: #1212.
Naperville CUSD 203 School District (IL)
55%
(12 out of 22)
Rank: #1313.
Elmhurst SD 205 School District (IL)
38%
(5 out of 13)
Rank: #14-1514 - 15.
Barrington CUSD 220 School District (IL)
33%
(4 out of 12)
Rank: #14-1514 - 15.
North Shore SD 112 School District (IL)
33%
(3 out of 9)
Rank: #1616.
Indian Prairie CUSD 204 School District (IL)
24%
(8 out of 34)
Rank: #1717.
St Charles CUSD 303 School District (IL)
22%
(4 out of 18)

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Did You Know?

Testing rankings and test scores should not be compared across states - there is large variation in how states define "proficiency" on their standardized tests. In states with the lowest expectations, "proficiency" can be several grade levels below proficiency in states with the highest expectations.