Illinois is the #4 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,844,936 students across the 4,391 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 1,627 private schools, serving 251,734 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Illinois is 27%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 30%.
The top-ranked public schools in Illinois are Illinois Mathematics And Science, Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, and Northside College Preparatory High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Illinois (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Illinois Mathematics And Science
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 10-12
1500 Sullivan Rd
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 907-5053
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 907-5053
Rank: #22.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-8
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Rank: #33.
Northside College Preparatory High School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Rank: #44.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Rank: #55.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Rank: #66.
Payton College Preparatory High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Jones College Prep High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Oak Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
950 S Oak St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Rank: #1010.
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-4
4704 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3370
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 966-3370
Overview
This State (IL)
US
# Schools
4,391 Schools
100,796 Schools
# Students
1,844,936 Students
49,495,628 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
136,596 Teachers
3,241,130 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (IL)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
43%
Graduation Rate
87%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
43%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.69
0.70
# American Indian Students
4,553 Students
477,342 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
103,626 Students
2,755,586 Students
% Asian Students
6%
6%
# Hispanic Students
517,349 Students
14,721,065 Students
% Hispanic Students
28%
30%
# Black Students
303,055 Students
7,323,690 Students
% Black Students
17%
15%
# White Students
836,048 Students
21,491,396 Students
% White Students
45%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,683 Students
185,311 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
77,969 Students
2,514,807 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (IL)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$41,381 MM
Spending (23-24)
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$22,430
Spending / Student (23-24)
$21,668
Best Illinois Public Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked public schools in Illinois include Illinois Mathematics And Science, Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, and Northside College Preparatory High School.
How many public schools are located in Illinois?
4,391 public schools are located in Illinois.
What percentage of students in Illinois go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Minority enrollment in Illinois is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Illinois are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Illinois include: Valeska Hinton Early Ch Educational Center vs. Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Cics - Ralph Ellison Campus vs. Cics - Northtown Campus, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School
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