Best Schools in Gurnee, Illinois
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Gurnee?
Use this page to compare every school in Gurnee 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.
Woodland Middle School
Middle · Woodland Ccsd 50. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
River Trail School
Elementary · Gurnee Sd 56. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Woodland Intermediate Sch
Elementary · Woodland Ccsd 50. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gurnee for 2026 are Woodland Middle School (7.4/10), River Trail School (6.5/10), and Woodland Intermediate Sch (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$322,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$322,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Gurnee schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Gurnee
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodland Middle School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | River Trail School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Woodland Intermediate Sch | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Warren Township High School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Viking School | 5.5 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $114,008
- Median home value
- $322,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gurnee compares
Illinois rank
#194 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$114k
139% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
8
Gurnee's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Gurnee. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Gurnee SD 56 (3), Woodland Ccsd 50 (2), Warren Twp Hsd 121 (1).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.5 to 7.4 — the spread is inside Gurnee, not a citywide average.
- Gurnee SD 563 public · 50%
- Woodland Ccsd 502 public · 33%
- Warren Twp Hsd 1211 public · 17%
About Schools in Gurnee, Illinois
Gurnee, Illinois is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Gurnee 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 Gurnee is Woodland Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gurnee is served by 3 school districts: Gurnee SD 56, Warren Twp HSD 121, Woodland CCSD 50. These districts collectively serve 10,127 students.
Gurnee's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $114,008. The poverty rate in the area is 5.2%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 505 students · Pre-K–2nd | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 466 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 3 | 974 students · 4th–5th | 6.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 72 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,557 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 515 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,687 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gurnee Christian AcademyPrivate 74 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Gurnee
Gurnee, Illinois · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$114,008
Median Home Value
$322,300
Median Rent
$1,601/mo
Population
37,208
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Community Profile
Gurnee has a median household income of $114,008. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $322,300, with a median rent of $1,601/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
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 Gurnee, Illinois
How many schools are in Gurnee, Illinois?
Gurnee has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gurnee, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gurnee is 6.5 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 Gurnee, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Gurnee on MySchoolScout is Woodland Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gurnee, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gurnee on MySchoolScout is River Trail School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Gurnee, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Gurnee on MySchoolScout is Woodland Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Gurnee, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Gurnee on MySchoolScout is Warren Township High School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Gurnee, Illinois?
Gurnee is served by 3 school districts: Gurnee Sd 56, Warren Twp Hsd 121, Woodland Ccsd 50.
What is the education level in Gurnee, Illinois?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in Gurnee have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gurnee, Illinois?
The median household income in Gurnee is approximately $114,008 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gurnee, Illinois?
Yes, Gurnee has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Gurnee Christian Academy with a score of 7.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gurnee, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gurnee is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gurnee, 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.