Best High Schools
in Chicago, Illinois
We ranked all 183 high schools in Chicago. The top 25 scored between 7.8 and 9.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Illinois education data
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.
Payton College Preparatory HS
Northside College Preparatory Hs
Bronzeville Scholastic HS
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Illinois so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Payton College Preparatory HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.2 |
| 2 | Northside College Preparatory Hs Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.1 |
| 3 | Bronzeville Scholastic HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 9.1 |
| 4 | Young Magnet High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.7 |
| 5 | Jones College Prep High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.7 |
| 6 | Air Force Acad High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.7 |
| 7 | Brooks College Prep Academy HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.6 |
| 8 | WOLCOTT SCHOOL | 8.6 |
| 9 | Lane Technical High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.5 |
| 10 | Chicago Academy High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.5 |
| 11 | Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.5 |
| 12 | JOSEPHINUM ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART | 8.5 |
| 13 | ACE Amandla Charter School Charter ACE Amandla Charter School | 8.3 |
| 14 | Lincoln Park High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.3 |
| 15 | Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.3 |
| 16 | FUSION ACADEMY LP: CHICAGO- LINCOLN PARK | 8.3 |
| 17 | Douglass Academy High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.2 |
| 18 | Bogan High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.0 |
| 19 | Spry Community Links High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 8.0 |
| 20 | Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.9 |
| 21 | Marine Leadership Academy - Ames Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.9 |
| 22 | Chicago HS for the Arts Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.9 |
| 23 | World Language High School Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.8 |
| 24 | Urban Prep Chtr Acad Englewood HS Charter Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.8 |
| 25 | YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership Charter Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | 7.8 |
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, Payton College Preparatory HS is the top-rated high school in Chicago with a composite score of 9.2/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.6/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.