For the 2025 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 8,701 students in Des Plaines, IL (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,185 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Des Plaines, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Des Plaines, IL are Iroquois Community School, Central Elementary School and Cumberland Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Plaines, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Des Plaines have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Des Plaines, IL (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Iroquois Community School
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1836 E Touhy Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1308
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1308
Grades: K-8
| 423 students
Rank: #22.
Central Elementary School
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1526 E Thacker St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1575
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1575
Grades: K-5
| 326 students
Rank: #33.
Cumberland Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
700 E Golf Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1451
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1451
Grades: K-5
| 301 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
South Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1535 Everett Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1566
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1566
Grades: K-5
| 233 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Terrace Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
735 S Westgate Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1501
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1501
Grades: K-5
| 220 students
Rank: #66.
Chippewa Middle School
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
123 N 8th Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1503
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1503
Grades: 6-8
| 665 students
Rank: #77.
Algonquin Middle School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
767 E Algonquin Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1205
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1205
Grades: 6-8
| 559 students
Rank: #88.
Rosemont Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6101 Ruby St
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 825-0144
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 825-0144
Grades: PK-8
| 210 students
Rank: #99.
Forest Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1375 S 5th Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1380
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1380
Grades: PK-5
| 657 students
Rank: #1010.
Friendship Jr High School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
550 Elizabeth Ln
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4350
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4350
Grades: 6-8
| 616 students
Rank: #1111.
Plainfield Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1850 Plainfield Dr
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1301
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1301
Grades: K-5
| 285 students
Rank: #1212.
Brentwood Elementary School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
260 Dulles Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 593-4401
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 593-4401
Grades: K-5
| 435 students
Rank: #1313.
Devonshire School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 Pennsylvania Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4398
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4398
Grades: K-5
| 299 students
Rank: #1414.
North Elementary School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1789 Rand Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1399
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1399
Grades: K-5
| 558 students
Rank: #1515.
Maine West High School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1755 S Wolf Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 827-6176
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 827-6176
Grades: 9-12
| 1,886 students
Rank: #1616.
Apollo Elementary School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10100 Dee Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-6231
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-6231
Grades: K-5
| 530 students
Rank: #1717.
Orchard Place Elementary School
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2727 Maple St
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1255
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1255
Grades: K-5
| 253 students
Rank: n/an/a
10000 Dee Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-4165
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-4165
Grades: PK
| 245 students
Rank: n/an/a
Ncisc Alop
Alternative School
1001 E Touhy Ave Ste 200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
North Cook Student Advocacy Alop
Alternative School
1001 E Touhy Ave Ste 200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-8300
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-8300
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
North Cook Young Adult Academy
Alternative School
1001 E Touhy Ave Ste 200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Terrace School-d/hh Ec Program
Special Education School
735 S Westgate Rd, Terrace Sch
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1380
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1380
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Des Plaines, Illinois Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Nipper Career Education Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1101 East Gregory St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 655-3000
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 655-3000
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
9000 Capitol Dr
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 298-1622
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 298-1622
Grades: K-6
| 421 students
Thomas Jefferson Charter School (Closed 2004)
Charter School
795 Center St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 297-9740
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 297-9740
Grades: K-8
| 73 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Des Plaines, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Des Plaines, IL include Iroquois Community School, Central Elementary School and Cumberland Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Des Plaines?
22 public schools are located in Des Plaines.
What percentage of students in Des Plaines go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Des Plaines are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Des Plaines?
Des Plaines public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Des Plaines are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Des Plaines include: Orchard Place Elementary School vs. Forest Elementary School, Algonquin Middle School vs. Chippewa Middle School, Chippewa Middle School vs. Algonquin Middle School
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