Very Good
#203 of 3,546 schools in IL
Top 6% in state
Payton College Preparatory HS
High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
1034 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
About Payton College Preparatory HS
Payton College Preparatory High School serves 1,265 students in grades 9-12 in Chicago's Near North Side, consistently ranking among Illinois' top public high schools at #210 out of 3,819 schools statewide. With 85 full-time teachers maintaining a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio, the school creates an environment where students can receive meaningful individual attention while benefiting from the resources of a larger institution. The school's academic excellence shines through in its impressive performance metrics, earning a perfect 10.0 academic score and an overall MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10.
Students demonstrate exceptional literacy skills, with 95% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels tested. This strong academic foundation reflects both the school's rigorous college preparatory focus and the high educational expectations within the community. Located at 1034 N Wells Street in the 60610 ZIP code, Payton College Prep sits in an affluent neighborhood where 79% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $106,277.
The area's median home value of $503,100 reflects the desirability of this well-established Chicago community, which balances urban sophistication with educational excellence.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Payton College Preparatory HS — Students at Payton College Preparatory HS score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
➡️ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Payton College Preparatory HS Compares
See how Payton College Preparatory HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 93% (2019) to 96% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 97% (2019) to 95% (2022).
Location
1034 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salazar Elem Bilingual Center Chicago | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Franklin Elem Fine Arts Center Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Ogden Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Manierre Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Skinner North Elem Sch Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Skinner Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Noble St Chtr-The Noble Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| LaSalle Elem Language Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Newberry Elem Math & Science Acad Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Park High School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| YCCS-Innovations of Arts Integr Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Noble St Chtr-Muchin College Prep Chicago | 1.4 mi | 2.7 |
| Intrinsic 2 Charter High School Chicago | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Lincoln Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Ogden Int High School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Noble St Chtr Rauner College Prep Chicago | 1.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Noble St Chtr-Noble Campus Chicago | 1.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Jones College Prep High School Chicago | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Alcott Elem School Chicago | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Noble St Chtr-Golder College Prep Chicago | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2018-2022)
Census data for ZIP 60610 (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,277
Median Home Value
$503,100
Median Rent
$1,959/mo
Population
42,904
College Educated
78.8%
Homeownership
37.5%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
12%
Median Age
32.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL | 7.9 |
| Northside College Preparatory Hs Chicago, IL | 7.7 |
| Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS Chicago, IL | 7.2 |
| Highland Park High School Highland Park, IL | 7.1 |
| Urbana High School Urbana, IL | 7.1 |
| Geneva Community High School Geneva, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Payton College Preparatory HS
What grades does Payton College Preparatory HS serve?
Payton College Preparatory HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Payton College Preparatory HS?
Payton College Preparatory HS has an enrollment of approximately 1,265 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Payton College Preparatory HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Payton College Preparatory HS is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Payton College Preparatory HS rank in IL?
Payton College Preparatory HS is ranked #203 out of 3,546 schools in IL.
What is Payton College Preparatory HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Payton College Preparatory HS has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment into a single score.
What are the test scores at Payton College Preparatory HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payton College Preparatory HS has 94.5% math proficiency and 95.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Payton College Preparatory HS a charter school?
No, Payton College Preparatory HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Payton College Preparatory HS a Title I school?
No, Payton College Preparatory HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Payton College Preparatory HS?
33.8% of students at Payton College Preparatory HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,265
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-0034
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Our ratings combine academic performance, growth, equity, and school environment into a single 1-10 score using publicly available data.
Read our methodology