Best Schools in Chester, Illinois
4 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 High
Choosing a school in Chester?
Use this page to compare every school in Chester 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.
Chester Elem School
Elementary · Chester Cusd 139. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Chester High School
High · Chester Cusd 139. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Schools
4
2 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$111,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
2 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$111,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 rated schools; 4 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester Elem School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Chester High School | 4.8 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $78,333
- Median home value
- $111,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chester compares
Illinois rank
#372 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$78k
96% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
4
Chester CUSD 139 runs Chester's public schools
2 public schools. Chester CUSD 139 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Chester is a Chester CUSD 139 school (2 of 2).
Among 2 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.8 to 6.1 — the spread is inside Chester, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Chester, Illinois
Chester, Illinois is home to 4 schools, including 2 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Chester 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 Chester is Chester Elem School with a composite score of 6.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chester is served by 1 school district: Chester CUSD 139. These districts collectively serve 968 students.
Chester's community shows 9% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $78,333. The poverty rate in the area is 17.7%.
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 | 637 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Mary's Catholic SchoolPrivate 60 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | St John Lutheran SchoolPrivate 62 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 331 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in Chester
Chester, Illinois · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$78,333
Median Home Value
$111,500
Median Rent
$645/mo
Population
8,233
College Educated
9%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Community Profile
Chester has a median household income of $78,333. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $645/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 3
- 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 Chester, Illinois
How many schools are in Chester, Illinois?
Chester has 4 schools, including 2 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chester, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chester is 5.5 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 Chester, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Elem School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chester, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Elem School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Chester, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Chester, Illinois?
Chester is served by 1 school district: Chester Cusd 139.
What is the education level in Chester, Illinois?
According to Census data, 9% of adults in Chester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chester, Illinois?
The median household income in Chester is approximately $78,333 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chester, Illinois?
Yes, Chester has 2 private schools alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary's Catholic School with a score of 5.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chester is 10.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chester, 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.