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Very Good

#477 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 13% in state

Niles West High School

High School · Niles Twp HSD 219

5701 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60077

Enrollment

2,615

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Skokie

#5 of 14

public schools

Illinois high schools

#69 of 703

In district

#1 of 2

Niles Twp HSD 219

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Niles West High School

Niles West High School serves 2,615 students in grades 9-12 in Skokie, Illinois, offering a substantial educational environment with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 across 193 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 73rd percentile among Illinois high schools, placing #1,030 out of 3,819 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. Academically, Niles West achieves a 7.6 out of 10 academic score, with 38% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

This large comprehensive high school provides educational opportunities for students with room for continued academic growth and development. The school draws from a diverse community where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $77,826. With a poverty rate of 9.9% and median home values around $318,600, the surrounding neighborhood reflects a middle-to-upper-middle-class area that values education.

Located on Oakton Street in this small city setting, Niles West High School serves as an educational cornerstone for families in Cook County's vibrant and economically stable community.

What Parents Should Know

Niles West High School is a large school with 2,615 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$34,307

Niles West High School — Students at Niles West High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2022
ELA
38%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Niles West High School Compares

See how Niles West High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
88th percentile in IL
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

5701 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60077

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Niles West High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hynes Elem School (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Morton Grove), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Elizabeth Meyer School (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Madison Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Skokie, see our Skokie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Thomas Edison Elem School Morton Grove 0.5 mi 5.1
MCC ACADEMY COLLEGE PREP Morton Grove 0.9 mi 7.0
JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Morton Grove 1.1 mi 6.7
Madison Elem School Skokie 0.9 mi 8.2
Lincoln Jr High School Skokie 0.9 mi 8.0
FASMAN YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Skokie 1.1 mi 7.5
Wildwood Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 8.2
HILLEL TORAH NORTH SUBURBAN DAY SCHOOL Skokie 1.2 mi 6.1
Fairview South Elementary School Skokie 1.3 mi 6.2
SWIFT CHILD CARE CENTER Skokie 1.1 mi
LOGOS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Niles 1.2 mi 4.4
Park View Elem School Morton Grove 1.5 mi 7.3
Jane Stenson School Skokie 1.8 mi 5.0
Edgebrook Elem School Chicago 1.9 mi 6.7
Clarence E Culver School Niles 1.4 mi 5.4
ARIE CROWN HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Skokie 1.6 mi 6.4
MCC ACADEMY-ELEMENTARY Skokie 2.2 mi 5.7
Elizabeth Meyer School Skokie 1.9 mi 8.4
Onahan Elem School Chicago 2.4 mi 5.5
Hynes Elem School Morton Grove 2.1 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60077 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,765

Median Home Value

$327,400

Median Rent

$1,450/mo

Population

28,651

College Educated

45.8%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Niles West High School has a median household income of $80,765. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $327,400, with a median rent of $1,450/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Addison Trail High School Addison, IL 7.9
Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago, IL 7.9
Waubonsie Valley High School Aurora, IL 7.9
Maine South High School Park Ridge, IL 8.0
York Comm High School Elmhurst, IL 8.0
Carl Sandburg High School Orland Park, IL 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Niles West High School

What grades does Niles West High School serve?

Niles West High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Niles West High School?

Niles West High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,615 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Niles West High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Niles West High School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Niles West High School rank in IL?

Niles West High School is ranked #477 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Niles West High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Niles West High School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Niles West High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Niles West High School has 43.0% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Niles West High School a charter school?

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

Is Niles West High School a Title I school?

No, Niles West High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,896/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Skokie). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,615
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
193
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Niles Twp HSD 219
District Enrollment
4,630
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$35,441
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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 methodology

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