Excellent
#52 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 1% in state
Payton College Preparatory HS
High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
1034 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
Enrollment
1,265
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
9.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,265
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
9.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#3 of 629
public schools
Illinois high schools
#1 of 703
In district
#3 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic performance
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Payton College Preparatory HS
Payton College Preparatory High School is a public school in Chicago, Illinois, serving 1,265 students in grades 9 through 12. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with a perfect 10.0 on academics and a 9.4 for student growth. The numbers behind that rating are stark.
Payton ranks #1 of 703 public high schools in Illinois and sits #3 of 629 public schools across all of Chicago. That combination puts it in a tier occupied by fewer than 1% of schools statewide, making it one of the strongest public secondary options in the Midwest by any measure. At 14.9 students per teacher, class sizes stay manageable for a school of its scale.
The academic score reflects consistently high proficiency outcomes across subjects, while the 9.4 growth score signals that students advance at an above-average pace regardless of where they start. Payton operates as a regular public school — no tuition, no religious affiliation — which makes that performance level especially relevant for families comparing selective high schools in Chicago. For parents prioritizing academic rigor and measurable student progress in a public setting, Payton sits near the top of any honest list.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Payton College Preparatory HS — Students at Payton College Preparatory HS score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
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
→ 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: 9.4/10.
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 Alternatives
Families considering Payton College Preparatory HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FUSION ACADEMY LP: CHICAGO- LINCOLN PARK (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Noble St Chtr-The Noble Academy (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,649
Median Home Value
$543,000
Median Rent
$2,029/mo
Population
45,282
College Educated
79.3%
Homeownership
34.3%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Payton College Preparatory HS has a median household income of $105,649. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $543,000, with a median rent of $2,029/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Northside College Preparatory Hs Chicago, IL | 9.1 |
| Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL | 8.9 |
| Highland Park High School Highland Park, IL | 8.9 |
| Glenbard South High School Glen Ellyn, IL | 8.7 |
| Brooks College Prep Academy HS Chicago, IL | 8.6 |
| Hinsdale South High School Darien, IL | 8.6 |
Compare Payton College Preparatory HS with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
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 #52 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Payton College Preparatory HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Payton College Preparatory HS has a composite rating of 9.2 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 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 98 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 91 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 86 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
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
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #3 of 621
Compare This School
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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