Best Schools in Des Plaines, Illinois
23 schools · 14 Elementary · 4 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $84,730
- Median home value
- $301,550
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
48% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Des Plaines compares
Illinois rank
#101 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Illinois avg (6.3)
Median household income
$85k
103% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
21
About Schools in Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines, Illinois is home to 23 schools, including 17 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Des Plaines show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Des Plaines is Brentwood Elem School with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Des Plaines is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 20,208 students.
Des Plaines's community shows 35% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $84,730. The poverty rate in the area is 8.6%.
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
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 435 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 423 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.7 | ||
| 3 | 220 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 4 | 299 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 5 | 530 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 6 | 326 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 7 | 301 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 8 | 233 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 9 | 657 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 10 | 558 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 11 | 285 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 12 | 253 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY
Private
249 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | PLATO ACADEMY
Private
73 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 616 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 559 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 665 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 150 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,886 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | WILLOWS ACADEMY
Private
182 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | JOSEPH ACADEMY
Private
23 students · 8th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | MARYVILLE JEN SCHOOL
Private
29 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 245 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.7 |
Schools in Des Plaines
Des Plaines, Illinois · 23 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$84,730
Median Home Value
$301,550
Median Rent
$1,290/mo
Population
89,822
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Community Profile
Des Plaines has a median household income of $84,730. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $301,550, with a median rent of $1,290/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Illinois
- Total Schools
- 23
- Elementary
- 14
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 4
- Districts
- 4
- Avg Rating
- 6.8/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Des Plaines, Illinois
How many schools are in Des Plaines, Illinois?
Des Plaines has 23 schools, including 17 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Des Plaines is 6.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Des Plaines on MySchoolScout is Brentwood Elem School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Des Plaines on MySchoolScout is Brentwood Elem School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Des Plaines on MySchoolScout is Friendship JR High School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best high school in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Des Plaines on MySchoolScout is Willows Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10.
How many school districts serve Des Plaines, Illinois?
Des Plaines is served by 4 school districts: Ccsd 62, East Maine Sd 63, Comm Cons Sd 59, Maine Township Hsd 207.
What is the education level in Des Plaines, Illinois?
According to Census data, 35% of adults in Des Plaines have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The median household income in Des Plaines is approximately $84,730 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Des Plaines, Illinois?
Yes, Des Plaines has 6 private schools alongside 17 public schools. The top-rated private school is Willows Academy with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Des Plaines is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Des Plaines, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.