Best High Schools
in Chicago, Illinois
We ranked the 178 high schools in Chicago with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.7 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Illinois education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Chicago for 2026 are Northside College Preparatory HS (9.5/10), Payton College Preparatory HS (9.4/10), and Young Magnet High School (9.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 178 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Chicago?
Every high school in Chicago is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Northside College Preparatory HS
Chicago, IL. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Payton College Preparatory HS
Chicago, IL. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Young Magnet High School
Chicago, IL. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Chicago's high school landscape spans 149 ranked schools, giving families a wide field to navigate. Payton College Preparatory leads the pack with a 9.2/10 composite score, followed closely by Northside College Preparatory and Bronzeville Scholastic, both at 9.1/10. The citywide average sits at 6.6/10, but 61 schools — 41% of the total — clear the 7/10 threshold, meaning strong options are distributed across the metro rather than concentrated at the very top. Chicago's high school mix includes selective enrollment schools, neighborhood schools, and charter options, so the right fit depends heavily on your priorities. Use the table below to sort by composite score, test performance, or other metrics to narrow the list. Filtering by neighborhood or school type can help surface options that match both your academic benchmarks and your family's practical needs.
Northside College Preparatory HS
Payton College Preparatory HS
Young Magnet High School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Chicago's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Illinois so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 178 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northside College Preparatory HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.5 |
| 2 | Payton College Preparatory HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.4 |
| 3 | Young Magnet High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.3 |
| 4 | Hancock College Preparatory HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.1 |
| 5 | Lane Technical High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.9 |
| 6 | Jones College Prep High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.8 |
| 7 | Bronzeville Scholastic HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.6 |
| 8 | Wolcott School | 8.6 |
| 9 | Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart | 8.5 |
| 10 | Von Steuben Metro Science HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.4 |
| 11 | Chicago Academy High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.4 |
| 12 | Lincoln Park High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.3 |
| 13 | Fusion Academy Lp: Chicago- Lincoln Park | 8.3 |
| 14 | Brooks College Prep Academy HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.2 |
| 15 | Urban Prep Chtr Acad Englewood HS Charter Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.2 |
| 16 | Intrinsic Charter High School Charter Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.2 |
| 17 | Spry Community Links High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.1 |
| 18 | Back of the Yards Ib HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.1 |
| 19 | Devry Advantage Academy High Schl Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.0 |
| 20 | Yccs-truman Middle College HS Charter Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.0 |
| 21 | Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS Charter Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.9 |
| 22 | Solorio Academy High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.9 |
| 23 | Ace Amandla Charter School Charter ACE Amandla Charter School | 7.8 |
| 24 | Mount Carmel High School | 7.8 |
| 25 | Senn High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.7 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Illinois education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Illinois. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Chicago
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Chicago's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Chicago
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Chicago's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Illinois, with 183 schools spanning 10 school districts, plus 59 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Chicago, Illinois?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Northside College Preparatory HS is the top-rated high school in Chicago with a composite score of 9.5/10. 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 high schools are in Chicago, Illinois?
Chicago has 183 high schools, including 59 charter schools. Of these, 178 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Chicago?
The average composite score for Chicago high schools is 6.5/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Illinois).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives 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 high school rankings?
Yes. Chicago has 59 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.