Best Schools in Park Forest, Illinois
9 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Park Forest?
Use this page to compare every school in Park Forest 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.
Indiana Elem School
Middle · Matteson Esd 162. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Illinois School
Elementary · Matteson Esd 162. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
21st Century Primary Center
Elementary · Park Forest Sd 163. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Park Forest for 2026 are Indiana Elem School (7.9/10), Illinois School (7.8/10), and 21st Century Primary Center (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$106,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$106,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +8.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Park Forest schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Park Forest
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana Elem School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Illinois School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | 21st Century Primary Center | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Michelle Obama Sch of Technology | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Blackhawk Primary Center | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Talala Elementary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Mohawk Primary Center | 5.8 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $63,132
- Median home value
- $106,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 34 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
63% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Park Forest compares
Illinois rank
#143 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$63k
77% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
8
Park Forest SD 163 runs 63% of Park Forest's public schools
Park Forest touches 3 districts, but Park Forest SD 163 is the one most addresses actually attend.
Park Forest SD 163 accounts for 5 of 8 public schools (63%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 3.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.8 to 7.9 — the spread is inside Park Forest, not a citywide average.
- Park Forest SD 1635 public · 63%
- Matteson Esd 1622 public · 25%
- Crete Monee CUSD 201u1 public · 13%
About Schools in Park Forest, Illinois
Park Forest, Illinois is home to 9 schools, including 8 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Park Forest 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 Park Forest is Indiana Elem School with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Park Forest is served by 3 school districts: Crete Monee CUSD 201U, Matteson ESD 162, Park Forest SD 163. These districts collectively serve 8,391 students.
Park Forest's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $63,132. The poverty rate in the area is 17.1%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 399 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 147 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.7 | ||
| 3 | 169 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.1 | ||
| 4 | 287 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 268 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 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 | 16 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 191 students · 4th–6th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 496 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 128 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.0 |
Schools in Park Forest
Park Forest, Illinois · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$63,132
Median Home Value
$106,100
Median Rent
$1,341/mo
Population
21,123
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Community Profile
Park Forest has a median household income of $63,132. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,100, with a median rent of $1,341/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 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 Park Forest, Illinois
How many schools are in Park Forest, Illinois?
Park Forest has 9 schools, including 8 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Park Forest, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Park Forest is 6.8 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 Park Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Park Forest on MySchoolScout is Indiana Elem School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Park Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Park Forest on MySchoolScout is Illinois School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Park Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Park Forest on MySchoolScout is Indiana Elem School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve Park Forest, Illinois?
Park Forest is served by 3 school districts: Crete Monee Cusd 201u, Matteson Esd 162, Park Forest Sd 163.
What is the education level in Park Forest, Illinois?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Park Forest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Park Forest, Illinois?
The median household income in Park Forest is approximately $63,132 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Park Forest, Illinois?
Yes, Park Forest has 1 private school alongside 8 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Park Forest, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Park Forest is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Park Forest, 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.