Best Schools in Chatham, Illinois
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Chatham?
Use this page to compare every school in Chatham by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Ball Elementary School
Elementary · Ball Chatham Cusd 5. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Chatham Elem School
Elementary · Ball Chatham Cusd 5. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Glenwood Elementary School
Elementary · Ball Chatham Cusd 5. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chatham for 2026 are Ball Elementary School (7.8/10), Chatham Elem School (7.5/10), and Glenwood Elementary School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$232,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$232,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +17.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Chatham schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Chatham
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 6 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Chatham Elem School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Glenwood Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Glenwood Intermediate Sch | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Glenwood Middle School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Glenwood High School | 6.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $106,373
- Median home value
- $232,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chatham compares
Illinois rank
#131 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$106k
130% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
6
Ball Chatham CUSD 5 runs Chatham's public schools
6 public schools. Ball Chatham CUSD 5 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Chatham is a Ball Chatham CUSD 5 school (6 of 6).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.1 to 7.8 — the spread is inside Chatham, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Chatham, Illinois
Chatham, Illinois is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Chatham show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Chatham is Ball Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chatham is served by 1 school district: Ball Chatham CUSD 5. These districts collectively serve 4,631 students.
Chatham's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $106,373. The poverty rate in the area is 3.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 609 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 488 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 609 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.9 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 686 students · 5th–6th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 771 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,468 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Chatham
Chatham, Illinois · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$106,373
Median Home Value
$232,000
Median Rent
$1,159/mo
Population
15,369
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Community Profile
Chatham has a median household income of $106,373. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,000, with a median rent of $1,159/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Chatham, Illinois
How many schools are in Chatham, Illinois?
Chatham has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chatham, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chatham is 6.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Chatham, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Chatham on MySchoolScout is Ball Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chatham, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chatham on MySchoolScout is Ball Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Chatham, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Chatham on MySchoolScout is Glenwood Intermediate Sch with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Chatham, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Chatham on MySchoolScout is Glenwood High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Chatham, Illinois?
Chatham is served by 1 school district: Ball Chatham Cusd 5.
What is the education level in Chatham, Illinois?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Chatham have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chatham, Illinois?
The median household income in Chatham is approximately $106,373 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chatham, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chatham is 17.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chatham, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.