Excellent
#330 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 9% in state
Lake Forest High School
High School · Lake Forest CHSD 115
1285 N McKinley Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Enrollment
1,375
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,375
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Forest
#3 of 7
public schools
Illinois high schools
#45 of 703
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Lake Forest High School
Lake Forest High School is a public high school in Lake Forest, IL, part of the Lake Forest CHSD 115. The school serves approximately 1,375 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91.4th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 71% proficiency in math and 70% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (10.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $225,551, where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Lake Forest High School — Students at Lake Forest High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.7/10.
How Lake Forest High School Compares
See how Lake Forest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 66% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 61% (2022).
Location
1285 N McKinley Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Forest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LAKE FOREST ACADEMY (rated 9.1/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SAFE HAVEN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Lake Bluff), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Forest, see our Lake Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sheridan Elem School Lake Forest | 0.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Lake Bluff Middle School Lake Bluff | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| SCHOOL OF ST MARY Lake Forest | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| FOREST BLUFF SCHOOL Lake Bluff | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Deer Path Middle Sch West Lake Forest | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Lake Bluff Elem Sch Lake Bluff | 1.6 mi | 9.8 |
| LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lake Forest | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Lake Forest | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Cherokee Elem School Lake Forest | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| LEARN Chtr Sch 6 N Chicago Campus Great Lakes | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Forrestal Elem School Great Lakes | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| SAFE HAVEN SCHOOL Lake Bluff | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| SCHOOL OF ST MARY UPPER GRADE CENTER Lake Forest | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| LEARN 10 Charter School North Chicago | 3.6 mi | 6.4 |
| LAKE FOREST ACADEMY Lake Forest | 2.9 mi | 9.1 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAKE FOREST Lake Forest | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Everett Elem School Lake Forest | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Wayne Thomas Elem School Highland Park | 4.2 mi | 9.6 |
| Neal Math Science Academy North Chicago | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$225,551
Median Home Value
$899,200
Median Rent
$2,321/mo
Population
20,957
College Educated
81.2%
Homeownership
89.2%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
46.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Forest High School has a median household income of $225,551. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $899,200, with a median rent of $2,321/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Geneva Community High School Geneva, IL | 8.2 |
| Wheaton North High School Wheaton, IL | 8.2 |
| Grayslake Central High School Grayslake, IL | 8.1 |
| Grayslake North High School Grayslake, IL | 8.1 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago, IL | 8.3 |
| Lemont Twp High School Lemont, IL | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Forest High School
What grades does Lake Forest High School serve?
Lake Forest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lake Forest High School?
Lake Forest High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest High School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Forest High School rank in IL?
Lake Forest High School is ranked #330 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Lake Forest High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Forest High School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Lake Forest High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Forest High School has 71.0% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lake Forest High School a charter school?
No, Lake Forest High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lake Forest High School a Title I school?
No, Lake Forest High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 124
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (847) 234-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lake Forest CHSD 115- District Enrollment
- 1,375
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,042
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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