Best Schools in Elmhurst, Illinois
21 schools · 13 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Elmhurst?
Use this page to compare every school in Elmhurst 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.
Jefferson Elem School
Elementary · Elmhurst Sd 205. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sandburg Middle School
Middle · Elmhurst Sd 205. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bryan Middle School
Middle · Elmhurst Sd 205. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Elmhurst for 2026 are Jefferson Elem School (9.7/10), Sandburg Middle School (9.6/10), and Bryan Middle School (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
21
14 public · 7 private
Avg Score
7.6
out of 10
Median Home
$527,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
21
14 public · 7 private
Avg Score
7.6
out of 10
Median Home
$527,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 9.7/10 despite 6% 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 Elmhurst schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +19.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Elmhurst schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Elmhurst
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 12 rated schools; 21 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson Elem School | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Sandburg Middle School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Bryan Middle School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Churchville Middle School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Emerson Elem School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Jackson Elem School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Edison Elem School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Field Elem School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Conrad Fischer Elem School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Hawthorne Elem School | 7.2 / 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
- 7.6/10
- Median household income
- $143,333
- Median home value
- $527,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 62%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
68% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Elmhurst compares
Illinois rank
#36 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$143k
175% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
19
Elmhurst SD 205 runs Elmhurst's public schools
14 public schools. Elmhurst SD 205 is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Elmhurst is a Elmhurst SD 205 school (13 of 14).
Among 12 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.7 to 9.7 — the spread is inside Elmhurst, not a citywide average.
- Elmhurst SD 20513 public · 93%
- Salt Creek SD 481 public · 7%
About Schools in Elmhurst, Illinois
Elmhurst, Illinois offers one of the most consistently strong public school landscapes in the Chicago suburbs. The city's 14 ranked public schools carry an average score of 8.3 out of 10 — and every single one of those 14 schools scores 7 or above, making Elmhurst a rare market where parents face no weak outliers. That kind of floor-to-ceiling consistency is the headline for families choosing between neighborhoods.
Elementary options drive much of that strength. Hawthorne Elementary leads the city at 9.6 out of 10, the top score among all ranked schools. Jefferson Elementary (9.3), Field Elementary (9.1), Lincoln Elementary (9.0), and Salt Creek Elementary (8.9) all follow close behind. Five elementary schools clearing the 9-point mark in a single city signals a district that performs at a high level from the earliest grades — a meaningful advantage for families with young children or those planning ahead.
The practical implication for parents is that location within Elmhurst matters less than in many comparable cities. When 100% of ranked schools score 7 or higher and the average sits at 8.3, a family moving to any attendance zone in the city is starting from a strong baseline. The variation at the top — roughly a point between the highest-rated and mid-range schools — is real but narrow compared to cities where school quality can swing by several points depending on the street.
Parents doing deeper research should confirm individual school boundaries with District 205 (Elmhurst Community Unit School District), since attendance zones determine actual enrollment eligibility regardless of school ratings. Families with elementary-age children, in particular, have strong options across all parts of the city. Those entering middle or high school will want to verify performance data for those grade levels directly, as the top-rated schools listed here are all elementary. Overall, Elmhurst stands out as a city where public school quality is high and predictable — a rare combination in a competitive suburban market.
Elementary Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 335 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.7 | ||
| 2 | 157 students · Pre-K–1st | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | 450 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 4 | 439 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 5 | 327 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 6 | 440 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 7 | 438 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 8 | 596 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 9 | 530 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Immanuel LutheranPrivate 75 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 13 elementary schools in Elmhurst
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 621 students · 6th–8th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 689 students · 6th–8th | 9.4 |
| 3 | 497 students · 6th–8th | 9.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,677 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Ic Catholic PrepPrivate 371 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 3 students · 7th–9th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 291 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.3 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Timothy Christian SchoolsPrivate 1,194 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Elmhurst
Elmhurst, Illinois · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$143,333
Median Home Value
$527,600
Median Rent
$1,890/mo
Population
47,759
College Educated
62%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Community Profile
Elmhurst has a median household income of $143,333. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $527,600, with a median rent of $1,890/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 3
- Other
- 2
Resources
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 Elmhurst, Illinois
How many schools are in Elmhurst, Illinois?
Elmhurst has 21 schools, including 14 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Elmhurst, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Elmhurst is 7.6 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 Elmhurst, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Elmhurst on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elem School with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Elmhurst, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Elmhurst on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elem School with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Elmhurst, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Elmhurst on MySchoolScout is Sandburg Middle School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best high school in Elmhurst, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Elmhurst on MySchoolScout is York Comm High School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Elmhurst, Illinois?
Elmhurst is served by 2 school districts: Elmhurst Sd 205, Salt Creek Sd 48.
What is the education level in Elmhurst, Illinois?
According to Census data, 62% of adults in Elmhurst have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Elmhurst, Illinois?
The median household income in Elmhurst is approximately $143,333 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Elmhurst, Illinois?
Yes, Elmhurst has 7 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ic Catholic Prep with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Elmhurst, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Elmhurst is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Elmhurst, 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.