Best Schools in Ford Heights, Illinois
4 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Ford Heights?
Use this page to compare every school in Ford Heights 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.
Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center
Middle · Ford Heights Sd 169. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Medgar Evers Primary Acadmc Cntr
Elementary · Ford Heights Sd 169. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
4
2 public · 2 private
Avg Score
4.7
out of 10
Median Home
$148,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
2 public · 2 private
Avg Score
4.7
out of 10
Median Home
$148,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Ford Heights
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center | 5.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Medgar Evers Primary Acadmc Cntr | 3.8 / 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
- 4.7/10
- Median household income
- $56,627
- Median home value
- $148,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 36 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ford Heights compares
Median household income
$57k
69% of Illinois median
About Schools in Ford Heights, Illinois
Ford Heights, Illinois is home to 4 schools, including 2 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 4.7 out of 10, schools in Ford Heights show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Ford Heights is Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center with a composite score of 5.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ford Heights is served by 1 school district: Ford Heights SD 169. These districts collectively serve 427 students.
Ford Heights's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,627. The poverty rate in the area is 22.3%.
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 | 288 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.8 | ||
| 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 | 13 students · Pre-K–6th | — | ||
| 2 | Higher Heights Christian Academy
Private
12 students · Pre-K–6th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 139 students · 5th–8th | 5.6 |
Schools in Ford Heights
Ford Heights, Illinois · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,627
Median Home Value
$148,200
Median Rent
$1,156/mo
Population
52,395
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
36 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Community Profile
Ford Heights has a median household income of $56,627. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,200, with a median rent of $1,156/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Ford Heights, Illinois
How many schools are in Ford Heights, Illinois?
Ford Heights has 4 schools, including 2 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ford Heights, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ford Heights is 4.7 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 Ford Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Ford Heights on MySchoolScout is Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ford Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ford Heights on MySchoolScout is Medgar Evers Primary Acadmc Cntr with a composite score of 3.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Ford Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Ford Heights on MySchoolScout is Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Ford Heights, Illinois?
Ford Heights is served by 1 school district: Ford Heights Sd 169.
What is the education level in Ford Heights, Illinois?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Ford Heights have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ford Heights, Illinois?
The median household income in Ford Heights is approximately $56,627 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ford Heights, Illinois?
Yes, Ford Heights has 2 private schools alongside 2 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ford Heights, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ford Heights is 10.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ford Heights, 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.