The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in Chicago for 2026 are Audubon Elem School (9.8/10), Poe Elem Classical School (9.8/10), and Blaine Elem School (9.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 458 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Chicago's 461 ranked elementary schools span a wide range of performance, with an average composite score of 6.3/10 across the metro. At the top, Belding Elementary School and Orozco Elementary Fine Arts & Sciences both earn 9.3/10, followed closely by Bronzeville Classical Elementary, Pritzker, and Armour. That upper tier is competitive — 134 schools, about 29% of the ranked total, score 7 or higher. The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key metrics to find schools that fit what matters most to your family. Whether you're comparing neighborhood schools or exploring options across the city, the data gives you a direct look at how each school stacks up. Start with the top-rated schools or filter by your district — the right fit depends on more than just a single number.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.8
- 29.8
- 39.6
- 49.6
- 59.5
- 69.5
- 79.5
- 89.4
- 99.4
- 109.3
All 458 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 458
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Audubon Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 610student-teacher ratio 13.6:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 2Poe Elem Classical SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 227student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 3Blaine Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 636student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 4Hawthorne Elem Scholastic AcademyChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 616student-teacher ratio 15.0:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 5Black Magnet Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 356student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 6Prescott Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 412student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 7Casals Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 370student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 8Ward J Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 495student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 9Charles J Sahs Elem SchoolCentral Stickney SD 110students 304student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 10Burr Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 454student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 11Cassell Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 354student-teacher ratio 11.1:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 12Kellogg Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 289student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 13Sor Juana Ines De La CruzChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 488student-teacher ratio 16.3:1grades Pre-K–7th
- 14Bell Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 848student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 15Haines Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 482student-teacher ratio 13.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 16Rogers Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 720student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 17Sauganash Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 660student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 18Pritzker Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 655student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 19Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad CtChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 783student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 20Nettelhorst Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 650student-teacher ratio 14.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 21Ravenswood Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 502student-teacher ratio 12.6:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 22Sumner Elem Math & Sci Comm AcadChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 203student-teacher ratio 10.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 23Armour Elem SchoolChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 238student-teacher ratio 10.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 24Edison Elem Regional Gifted CntrChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 265student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 25Galileo Elem Math & Sci Schol AcdChicago Public Schools Dist 299students 532student-teacher ratio 13.0:1grades Kindergarten–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Illinois education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Illinois. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Audubon Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
610 students · 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.4
- 2
Poe Elem Classical School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
227 students · 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.4
- 3
Blaine Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
636 students · 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 9.7
- 4
Hawthorne Elem Scholastic Academy
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
616 students · 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 8.9
- 5
Black Magnet Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
356 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.3
- 6
Prescott Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
412 students · 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 9.5
- 7
Casals Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
370 students · 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.1
- 8
Ward J Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
495 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 1% in Illinois
- Academics
- 9.3
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 8.6
- 9
Charles J Sahs Elem School
Central Stickney SD 110
304 students · 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 2% in Illinois
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 9.6
- 10
Burr Elem School
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
454 students · 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 2% in Illinois
- Academics
- 8.5
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 9.1
Questions
What is the best elementary school in Chicago, Illinois?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Audubon Elem School is the top-rated elementary school in Chicago with a composite score of 9.8/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Chicago, Illinois?
Chicago has 623 elementary schools, including 51 charter schools. Of these, 583 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Chicago?
Among 583 Chicago elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 6.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Illinois).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Illinois, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Illinois, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Chicago elementary school rankings?
Chicago has 51 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in Chicago2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Chicago2026 rankings and ratings
- All 868 schools in ChicagoElementary, middle and high
- Illinois schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings