🏛️ Top-Ranked Schools in Illinois: Rankings, Reviews & Contact Info
🔍 Introduction
Looking for the best schools in Illinois? Whether you’re relocating, enrolling your child, or simply researching academic excellence, finding a high-quality school can make all the difference.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled a list of the top-ranked schools in Illinois , including public, private, charter, and magnet schools. Each entry includes Niche ratings , U.S. News rankings , student performance metrics , and contact details so you can reach out directly.
We’ve also included SEO-optimized content to help parents and educators find the right fit based on location, curriculum, extracurriculars, and academic reputation.
📊 Methodology: How We Ranked These Schools
Our rankings are based on a combination of data sources:
- Niche.com (A+ ratings, parent reviews, academics)
- U.S. News & World Report
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reports
- Graduation rates, college readiness scores, STEM programs
- Parent testimonials and student satisfaction
Only schools with consistently high scores across multiple platforms were included.
🥇 Top 10 High Schools in Illinois
| Rank | School Name | Location | Rating | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adlai E. Stevenson High School | Lincolnshire | A+ (Niche) | Public |
| 2 | Whitney M. Young Magnet High School | Chicago | A+ | Magnet |
| 3 | Naperville North High School | Naperville | A+ | Public |
| 4 | Neuqua Valley High School | Naperville | A+ | Public |
| 5 | Glenbrook North High School | Northbrook | A+ | Public |
| 6 | Evanston Township High School | Evanston | A+ | Public |
| 7 | Lyons Township High School | La Grange | A | Public |
| 8 | Walter Payton College Prep High School | Chicago | A+ | Magnet |
| 9 | Palatine High School | Palatine | A | Public |
| 10 | Montini Catholic High School | Lombard | A | Private |
🏫 Detailed Profiles of Illinois’ Top Schools
1. Adlai E. Stevenson High School
- Location: 1 Stevenson Dr, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
- Phone: (847) 470-2100
- Website: www.d125.org/stevenson
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~4,400 students
- Ranking: #1 in Illinois by U.S. News
- Highlights: AP courses, STEM focus, award-winning robotics team
2. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
- Location: 211 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60604
- Phone: (773) 535-0200
- Website: www.whitneymyoung.org
- Type: Magnet
- Enrollment: ~1,600 students
- Ranking: Top 10 nationally (U.S. News)
- Highlights: IB program, urban leadership initiatives
3. Naperville North High School
- Location: 899 N Webster St, Naperville, IL 60540
- Phone: (630) 420-6300
- Website: www.nsd112.org/north
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~3,200 students
- Ranking: Consistently ranked among top 50 in U.S.
- Highlights: Strong arts and sports programs
4. Neuqua Valley High School
- Location: 200 W Stonebridge Dr, Naperville, IL 60563
- Phone: (630) 420-6300
- Website: www.nsd112.org/neuquav
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~3,300 students
- Ranking: Top 5 in Illinois
- Highlights: Diverse student body, strong STEM and music programs
5. Glenbrook North High School
- Location: 2300 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062
- Phone: (847) 480-2500
- Website: www.glenbrook.org/gbn
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~2,800 students
- Ranking: Top 10 in Illinois
- Highlights: Award-winning theater and debate teams
6. Evanston Township High School
- Location: 1609 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
- Phone: (847) 424-7000
- Website: www.eteach.org
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~3,300 students
- Ranking: A+ rating from Niche
- Highlights: Social justice programs, diverse community
7. Lyons Township High School
- Location: 4901 S Wolf Rd, La Grange, IL 60525
- Phone: (708) 482-2300
- Website: www.lths.net
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~3,800 students
- Ranking: A-rated by Niche
- Highlights: Excellent athletics, fine arts, and college prep
8. Walter Payton College Prep High School
- Location: 111 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606
- Phone: (773) 535-0200
- Website: www.payton.cps.k12.il.us
- Type: Magnet
- Enrollment: ~1,300 students
- Ranking: Top 50 in U.S. (U.S. News)
- Highlights: Gifted program, Mandarin language track
9. Palatine High School
- Location: 1111 N Rohlwing Rd, Palatine, IL 60067
- Phone: (847) 777-5500
- Website: www.dupage88.net/palatine
- Type: Public
- Enrollment: ~2,800 students
- Ranking: A-rated by Niche
- Highlights: Engineering and tech programs
10. Montini Catholic High School
- Location: 10 S Brainard St, Lombard, IL 60148
- Phone: (630) 629-6800
- Website: www.montini.org
- Type: Private
- Enrollment: ~1,000 students
- Ranking: Top Catholic school in Illinois
- Highlights: Faith-based education, college readiness
🏢 Charter & Magnet Schools in Illinois
For families seeking alternative learning environments, Illinois offers several top-tier charter and magnet schools known for innovation and specialized curricula.
Best Charter Schools:
- Chicago Math and Science Charter School
- North Kenwood/Oakland Charter School
- Urban Prep Academies (all-male, college prep)
Best Magnet Schools:
- Lane Tech College Prep High School (Chicago)
- Jones College Prep (Chicago)
- Northside College Prep (Chicago)
🎓 Private Schools in Illinois
Illinois is home to many prestigious private institutions offering elite academics and smaller class sizes.
Top Private Schools:
- University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
- Latin School of Chicago
- Haven Montessori Academy
- St. Ignatius College Prep
- The Hinsdale School Foundation
🧭 How to Choose the Right School in Illinois
When selecting a school, consider the following factors:
- Academic rigor and college readiness
- Extracurricular offerings (sports, arts, clubs)
- Student-to-teacher ratio
- Diversity and inclusion policies
- Transportation and accessibility
- Parent involvement and community support
You can also use tools like:
📞 Contact Information for All Schools Listed
All school contact details are listed above in their respective profiles. You can also reach out via:
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):
📞 (217) 782-4321
🌐 www.isbe.net - Chicago Public Schools (CPS):
📞 (773) 553-1000
🌐 www.cps.edu
📝 Final Thoughts
Choosing the right school in Illinois depends on your family’s values, educational goals, and personal preferences. Use this list as a starting point to explore some of the highest-performing schools in the state. Whether public, private, or magnet, each institution has its own unique strengths.
If you’re looking for more specific options — such as special needs programs, STEM-focused schools, or bilingual education — be sure to visit individual school websites or contact admissions offices directly.
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