Best Schools in River Forest, Illinois
8 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in River Forest?
Use this page to compare every school in River 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.
Lincoln Elem School
Elementary · River Forest Sd 90. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Willard Elem School
Elementary · River Forest Sd 90. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Roosevelt School
Middle · River Forest Sd 90. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in River Forest for 2026 are Lincoln Elem School (9.2/10), Willard Elem School (9.0/10), and Roosevelt School (8.9/10), 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
8
3 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$676,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
3 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$676,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in River Forest
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln Elem School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Willard Elem School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Roosevelt School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | St Luke School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Grace Lutheran School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Keystone Montessori School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 7 | St Vincent Ferrer Elementary School | 5.9 / 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
- 7.8/10
- Median household income
- $148,711
- Median home value
- $676,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 73%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 89%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How River Forest compares
Illinois rank
#37 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.6
above Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$149k
181% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in River Forest, Illinois
River Forest, Illinois is home to 8 schools, including 3 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 7.8 out of 10, schools in River Forest perform strongly 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 River Forest is Lincoln Elem School with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
River Forest is served by 1 school district: River Forest SD 90. These districts collectively serve 1,350 students.
River Forest's community shows 73% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $148,711. The poverty rate in the area is 2.2%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 363 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | 347 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.0 | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Luke School
Private
254 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | Grace Lutheran School
Private
160 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | Keystone Montessori School
Private
69 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 4 | 220 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.9 | ||
| 5 | 18 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 640 students · 5th–8th | 8.9 |
Schools in River Forest
River Forest, Illinois · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$148,711
Median Home Value
$676,900
Median Rent
$1,411/mo
Population
11,489
College Educated
73%
Homeownership
89%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Community Profile
River Forest has a median household income of $148,711. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $676,900, with a median rent of $1,411/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 7
- 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 River Forest, Illinois
How many schools are in River Forest, Illinois?
River Forest has 8 schools, including 3 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in River Forest, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in River Forest is 7.8 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 River Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in River Forest on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elem School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in River Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in River Forest on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elem School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in River Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in River Forest on MySchoolScout is Roosevelt School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
How many school districts serve River Forest, Illinois?
River Forest is served by 1 school district: River Forest Sd 90.
What is the education level in River Forest, Illinois?
According to Census data, 73% of adults in River Forest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in River Forest, Illinois?
The median household income in River Forest is approximately $148,711 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in River Forest, Illinois?
Yes, River Forest has 5 private schools alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Luke School with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in River Forest, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in River Forest 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 River 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.