Best Schools in Dolton, Illinois
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dolton?
Use this page to compare every school in Dolton 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.
Thornridge High School
High · Thornton Twp Hsd 205. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary · Dolton Sd 148. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Junior High School
Middle · Dolton Sd 148. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dolton for 2026 are Thornridge High School (6.7/10), Lincoln Elementary School (5.8/10), and Lincoln Junior High School (5.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
10
9 public · 1 private
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$140,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
10
9 public · 1 private
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$140,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 5.8/10 despite 97% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Dolton schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Dolton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thornridge High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Lincoln Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincoln Junior High School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 4 | New Life Celebration Christian Academy | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Diekman Elem School | 4.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Roosevelt Junior High School | 4.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Franklin Elementary School | 3.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Roosevelt Elem School | 3.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Berger-vandenberg Elem School | 3.2 / 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
- 4.9/10
- Median household income
- $58,706
- Median home value
- $140,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dolton compares
Illinois rank
#403 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.4
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$59k
72% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Dolton, Illinois
Dolton's public school system covers 9 ranked schools, split between elementary and middle grade levels. The city's average school score sits at 6.9 out of 10 — a baseline that reflects a system where most schools cluster in a tight performance band. Four of the nine ranked schools, 44%, score 7 or higher, meaning above-average options are accessible to a meaningful share of Dolton families without requiring a long commute or school choice lottery.
At the top of the rankings, Lincoln Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High School each score 7.8 out of 10 — the highest marks in the city. That tie at the summit matters for families planning across grade levels: a strong elementary experience at Lincoln has a direct middle-school counterpart in Roosevelt at the same performance tier. Lincoln Junior High (7.4) and Franklin Elementary (7.2) round out the 7-plus group, giving parents four credible high-performing options across both levels. Roosevelt Elementary School scores 6.9, landing exactly at the city average.
The spread between Dolton's top and bottom ranked schools is relatively narrow. A system where the average and the floor both sit near 6.9 suggests consistency rather than wide disparity — parents are unlikely to encounter a dramatic quality gap based purely on attendance zone. That said, the four schools clearing 7 represent a clear step up, and families who can prioritize placement toward Lincoln Elementary or Roosevelt Junior High will find the strongest starting point the city offers.
Practically, Dolton is a small system with a legible options map. Elementary-aged families should target Lincoln Elementary (7.8) or Franklin Elementary (7.2) as first choices. For middle school, Roosevelt Junior High (7.8) leads, followed by Lincoln Junior High (7.4). With only 9 ranked schools total, parents can evaluate the full landscape quickly. Drill into attendance zone boundaries, school-level test score trends, and extracurricular offerings once you've identified your tier — the ratings give a reliable starting framework, but those details determine day-to-day fit.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 301 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.7 | ||
| 3 | 269 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.4 | ||
| 4 | 240 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.4 | ||
| 5 | 348 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.2 | ||
| 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 | 43 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.1 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 158 students · 7th–8th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 127 students · 7th–8th | 4.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 978 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 186 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.9 |
Schools in Dolton
Dolton, Illinois · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,706
Median Home Value
$140,500
Median Rent
$1,399/mo
Population
20,979
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
20.4%
Community Profile
Dolton has a median household income of $58,706. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,500, with a median rent of $1,399/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
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 Dolton, Illinois
How many schools are in Dolton, Illinois?
Dolton has 10 schools, including 9 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dolton, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dolton is 4.9 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 Dolton, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Dolton on MySchoolScout is Thornridge High School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dolton, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dolton on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elementary School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Dolton, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Dolton on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Junior High School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Dolton, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Dolton on MySchoolScout is Thornridge High School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Dolton, Illinois?
Dolton is served by 3 school districts: Dolton Sd 149, Dolton Sd 148, Thornton Twp Hsd 205.
What is the education level in Dolton, Illinois?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Dolton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dolton, Illinois?
The median household income in Dolton is approximately $58,706 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dolton, Illinois?
Yes, Dolton has 1 private school alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is New Life Celebration Christian Academy with a score of 5.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dolton, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dolton is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dolton, 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.