Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Illinois Blue Ribbon Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 259 blue ribbon public schools serving 159,441 students in Illinois.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in Illinois are Northside College Preparatory High School, Young Magnet High School and Lane Technical High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Illinois blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Illinois (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #5 - 75. - 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: #5 - 75. - 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: #5 - 75. - 7.
Oak Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
950 S Oak St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
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.
The Lane Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
500 N Elm St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4500
Gr: K-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1010.
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: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Elm Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
15w201 60th St
Willowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 861-4000
Gr: K-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Thurgood Marshall School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4664 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 490-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1313.
Meadow Glens Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1150 Muirhead Ave
Naperville, IL 60565
(630) 420-3200
Gr: K-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1414.
Prospect Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
130 N Prospect Ave
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
(630) 861-4400
Gr: K-5 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1515.
Highlands Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
525 S Brainard St
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6335
Gr: K-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
Ellsworth Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
145 N Sleight St
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6338
Gr: K-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1717.
Brook Forest Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
60 Regent Dr
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 325-6888
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1818.
Hickory Creek Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
22150 S Owens Rd
Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 469-4474
Gr: 6-8 | 943 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1919.
Wescott Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1820 Western Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-4660
Gr: K-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2020.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
611 S Madison St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4100
Gr: K-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2121.
Greenbriar Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2195 Cherry Ln
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7950
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2222.
Adlai E Stevenson High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1 Stevenson Dr
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 415-4000
Gr: 9-12 | 4,758 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2323.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5020 Central Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Daniel Wright Jr High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1370 N Riverwoods Rd
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 295-1560
Gr: 6-8 | 720 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Hough Street Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
310 S Hough St
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 381-1108
Gr: K-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
210 N Madison St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4200
Gr: K-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2727.
Kennedy Junior High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2929 Green Trails Dr
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 420-3220
Gr: 6-8 | 937 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2828.
Glenbrook North High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2300 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,111 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2929.
Chelsea Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
22265 S 80th Ave
Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 469-2309
Gr: 3-5 | 893 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #3030.
Northbrook Junior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Gr: 6-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3131.
Romona Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
600 Romona Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Gr: PK-4 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3232.
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: #3333.
Barbara B Rose Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
61 W Penny Rd
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 844-1200
Gr: K-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #3434.
Wood Oaks Jr High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1250 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #3535.
New Trier Township H S Winnetka
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
385 Winnetka Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-7000
Gr: 10-12 | 2,770 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Show 100 more public schools in Illinois (out of 259 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in Illinois include Northside College Preparatory High School, Young Magnet High School and Lane Technical High School.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in Illinois?
259 blue ribbon public schools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

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