Skip to main content

Excellent

#4 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 1% in state

Hinsdale Central High School

High School · Hinsdale Twp HSD 86

5500 S Grant St, Hinsdale, IL 60521

Enrollment

2,436

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

9.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#4 of 3,813

In Hinsdale

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Hinsdale Twp HSD 86

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Hinsdale Central High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Hinsdale Central High School

9.8/10

High School in Hinsdale · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Madison Elem School

9.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Elm Elem School

9.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hinsdale Central High School

Hinsdale Central High School is a public high school in Hinsdale, IL, part of Hinsdale Twp HSD 86. Hinsdale Central High School serves approximately 2,436 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hinsdale Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 out of 10 and ranks #4 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Hinsdale Central High School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

What's said publicly about Hinsdale Central High School

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Hinsdale Central High School (HCHS) is a public four-year high school located at the corner of W. 55th St. and S. Grant St. in Hinsdale, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago 1 . Founded in 1879, the school is part of Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86, which also includes Hinsdale South High School 1 . The campus serves a suburban residential area of approximately 35,000 people and is situated 17 miles west of Chicago 1 . Its student body is drawn from the entire village of Hinsdale, the majority of Clarendon Hills and Oak Brook, and small portions of Burr Ridge, Darien, Willowbrook, and Westmont 1 . The school is noted for its large spending per student, academic excellence, and athletic programs 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 9.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.3
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Hinsdale Central High School is a large school: 2,436 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency71% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+21.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness9.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation45.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,924
Chronic Absenteeism21.2%

Hinsdale Central High School — Students at Hinsdale Central High School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 74.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 78.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
72%
2022
ELA
71%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Hinsdale Central High School Compares

See how Hinsdale Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.8/10
100th percentile in IL
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
189 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
45.5% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5500 S Grant St, Hinsdale, IL 60521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hinsdale Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Prospect Elem School (rated 9.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Clarendon Hills), with a very similar rating. Another option is Elm Elem School (rated 9.7/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Burr Ridge), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Oak Elem School (rated 9.7/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hinsdale, see our Hinsdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Madison Elem School Hinsdale 0.6 mi 9.6
Elm Elem School Burr Ridge 0.8 mi 9.7
Oak Elem School Hinsdale 0.7 mi 9.7
Hinsdale Middle School Hinsdale 0.9 mi 9.2
Holmes Elem School Clarendon Hills 1.0 mi 7.6
Monroe Elem School Hinsdale 1.3 mi 9.5
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Clarendon Hills 1.4 mi 6.1
Walker School Clarendon Hills 1.2 mi 9.7
The Lane Elem School Hinsdale 1.7 mi 9.7
Prospect Elem School Clarendon Hills 1.5 mi 9.8
SETON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Clarendon Hills 1.4 mi 7.4
HINSDALE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Hinsdale 1.8 mi 8.1
Forest Hills Elem School Western Springs 1.6 mi 9.5
Clarendon Hills Middle School Clarendon Hills 1.7 mi 9.3
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF WESTERN SPRINGS Western Springs 1.9 mi
KINGSWOOD ACADEMY Darien 2.2 mi 7.4
VINE ACADEMY Burr Ridge 2.2 mi 8.4
ST JOHN OF THE CROSS PARISH SCHOOL Western Springs 1.9 mi 4.4
John Laidlaw Elem School Western Springs 2.3 mi 9.1
Hinsdale South High School Darien 2.5 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$244,318

Median Home Value

$988,000

Median Rent

$1,921/mo

Population

18,097

College Educated

80%

Homeownership

89.2%

Avg Commute

32.5 min

Poverty Rate

1.8%

Median Age

42.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Vernon Hills High School Vernon Hills, IL 9.7
Libertyville High School Libertyville, IL 9.6
New Trier Township H S Winnetka Winnetka, IL 9.6
Glenbrook North High School Northbrook, IL 9.5
Oak Park & River Forest High Sch Oak Park, IL 9.5
Wm Fremd High School Palatine, IL 9.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hinsdale Central High School

What grades does Hinsdale Central High School serve?

Hinsdale Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hinsdale Central High School?

Hinsdale Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,436 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hinsdale Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hinsdale Central High School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hinsdale Central High School rank in IL?

Hinsdale Central High School ranks #4 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Hinsdale Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hinsdale Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hinsdale Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hinsdale Central High School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hinsdale Central High School a charter school?

No, Hinsdale Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hinsdale Central High School a Title I school?

No, Hinsdale Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,436
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
189
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DuPage County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.2%

District

Hinsdale Twp HSD 86
District Enrollment
3,765
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,924
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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 rate

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.