Best Schools in Highland Park, Illinois
11 schools · 8 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Highland Park?
Use this page to compare every school in Highland Park 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.
Sherwood Elem School
Elementary · North Shore Sd 112. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Edgewood Middle School
Middle · North Shore Sd 112. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Northwood Middle School
Middle · North Shore Sd 112. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Highland Park for 2026 are Sherwood Elem School (9.5/10), Edgewood Middle School (9.3/10), and Northwood Middle School (9.3/10), 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
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
8.2
out of 10
Median Home
$594,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
8.2
out of 10
Median Home
$594,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +13.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Highland Park schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Highland Park
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 rated schools; 11 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherwood Elem School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Edgewood Middle School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Northwood Middle School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Ravinia Elem School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Wayne Thomas Elem School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Red Oak Elem School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Highland Park High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Indian Trail Elem School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Braeside Elem School | 6.1 / 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
- 8.2/10
- Median household income
- $161,811
- Median home value
- $594,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 76%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
89% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Highland Park compares
Illinois rank
#9 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.9
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$162k
197% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
9
North Shore SD 112 runs 89% of Highland Park's public schools
Highland Park touches 2 districts, but North Shore SD 112 is the one most addresses actually attend.
North Shore SD 112 accounts for 8 of 9 public schools (89%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 9 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.1 to 9.5 — the spread is inside Highland Park, not a citywide average.
- North Shore SD 1128 public · 89%
- Twp Hsd 1131 public · 11%
About Schools in Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park, Illinois is home to 11 schools, including 9 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 8.2 out of 10, schools in Highland Park perform strongly 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 Highland Park is Sherwood Elem School with a composite score of 9.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Highland Park is served by 2 school districts: North Shore SD 112, Twp HSD 113. These districts collectively serve 6,918 students.
Highland Park's community shows 76% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $161,811. The poverty rate in the area is 3.3%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 354 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.5 | ||
| 2 | 281 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 | ||
| 3 | 442 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 | ||
| 4 | 205 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 5 | 491 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 6 | 272 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Highland Park MontessoriPrivate 15 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Montessori Connection WestPrivate 5 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 659 students · 6th–8th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 532 students · 6th–8th | 9.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,715 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
Schools in Highland Park
Highland Park, Illinois · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$161,811
Median Home Value
$594,600
Median Rent
$1,903/mo
Population
30,236
College Educated
76%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Community Profile
Highland Park has a median household income of $161,811. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,600, with a median rent of $1,903/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 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 Highland Park, Illinois
How many schools are in Highland Park, Illinois?
Highland Park has 11 schools, including 9 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Highland Park, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Highland Park is 8.2 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 Highland Park, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Highland Park on MySchoolScout is Sherwood Elem School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Highland Park, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Highland Park on MySchoolScout is Sherwood Elem School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Highland Park, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Highland Park on MySchoolScout is Edgewood Middle School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best high school in Highland Park, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Highland Park on MySchoolScout is Highland Park High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Highland Park, Illinois?
Highland Park is served by 2 school districts: North Shore Sd 112, Twp Hsd 113.
What is the education level in Highland Park, Illinois?
According to Census data, 76% of adults in Highland Park have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Highland Park, Illinois?
The median household income in Highland Park is approximately $161,811 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Highland Park, Illinois?
Yes, Highland Park has 2 private schools alongside 9 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Highland Park, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Highland Park is 10.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Highland Park, 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.