Best Schools in Palos Heights, Illinois
11 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Palos Heights?
Use this page to compare every school in Palos 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.
Independence JR High School
Middle · Palos Heights Sd 128. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Palos East Elementary School
Elementary · Palos Ccsd 118. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Chippewa Elem School
Elementary · Palos Heights Sd 128. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Palos Heights for 2026 are Independence JR High School (8.7/10), Palos East Elementary School (7.9/10), and Chippewa Elem School (5.9/10), 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
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$343,700
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$343,700
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Palos Heights schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Palos Heights
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 11 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence JR High School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Palos East Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Chippewa Elem School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | A B Shepard High Sch (campus) | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Navajo Heights Elem School | 4.8 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $105,389
- Median home value
- $343,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 94%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Palos Heights compares
Illinois rank
#257 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$105k
129% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
9
Palos Heights SD 128 runs 67% of Palos Heights's public schools
Palos Heights touches 3 districts, but Palos Heights SD 128 is the one most addresses actually attend.
Palos Heights SD 128 accounts for 4 of 6 public schools (67%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.8 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Palos Heights, not a citywide average.
- Palos Heights SD 1284 public · 67%
- Chsd 2181 public · 17%
- Palos Ccsd 1181 public · 17%
About Schools in Palos Heights, Illinois
Palos Heights, Illinois is home to 11 schools, including 6 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights is Independence JR High School with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Palos Heights is served by 3 school districts: CHSD 218, Palos Heights SD 128, Palos CCSD 118. These districts collectively serve 8,403 students.
Palos Heights's community shows 41% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $105,389. The poverty rate in the area is 6.0%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 703 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 246 students · 1st–3rd | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | 170 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | 167 students · 4th–5th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Alexander SchoolPrivate 218 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Sandbox Learning CenterPrivate 8 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 208 students · 6th–8th | 8.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,960 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 314 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 756 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Palos Heights
Palos Heights, Illinois · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$105,389
Median Home Value
$343,700
Median Rent
$2,119/mo
Population
13,359
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
94%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
6.0%
Community Profile
Palos Heights has a median household income of $105,389. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $343,700, with a median rent of $2,119/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% 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
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- 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 Palos Heights, Illinois
How many schools are in Palos Heights, Illinois?
Palos Heights has 11 schools, including 6 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Palos Heights, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Palos Heights is 6.2 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 Palos Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Palos Heights on MySchoolScout is Independence JR High School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Palos Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Palos Heights on MySchoolScout is Palos East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Palos Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Palos Heights on MySchoolScout is Independence JR High School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best high school in Palos Heights, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Palos Heights on MySchoolScout is A B Shepard High Sch (campus) with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Palos Heights, Illinois?
Palos Heights is served by 3 school districts: Chsd 218, Palos Heights Sd 128, Palos Ccsd 118.
What is the education level in Palos Heights, Illinois?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Palos Heights have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Palos Heights, Illinois?
The median household income in Palos Heights is approximately $105,389 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Palos Heights, Illinois?
Yes, Palos Heights has 5 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Chicago Christian High School with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Palos Heights, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Palos Heights is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Palos 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.