Best Illinois Blue Ribbon Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 223 blue ribbon public elementary schools serving 98,231 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 elementary schools in Illinois are Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center, Oak Elementary School and Decatur Classical Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Illinois blue ribbon public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Elementary Schools in Illinois (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
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: #1 - 21. - 2.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #18 - 2018. - 20.
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: #18 - 2018. - 20.
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: #18 - 2018. - 20.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
Copeland Manor Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
801 7th Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 362-0240
Gr: K-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2929.
Central School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
620 Greenwood Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #3030.
Grove Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
900 S Grove Ave
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 381-1888
Gr: K-5 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #3131.
The Skokie School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
520 Glendale Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 441-1750
Gr: 5-6 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #3232.
Eisenhower Academy
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
406 Burke Dr
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 723-0233
Gr: 1-5 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #3333.
Half Day School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
239 Olde Half Day Rd
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 634-6463
Gr: 3-5 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3434.
Arnett C Lines Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
217 Eastern Ave
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 381-7850
Gr: K-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #35 - 3735. - 37.
Bannockburn School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2165 Telegraph Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5900
Gr: K-8 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Show 100 more public schools in Illinois (out of 223 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in Illinois include Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center, Oak Elementary School and Decatur Classical Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in Illinois?
223 blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon public elementary schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.