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Best Charter Public Schools in Illinois (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Illinois Charter Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 132 charter public schools serving 59,016 students in Illinois.
Learn more about how charter schools work. The top-ranked charter public schools in Illinois are Ybmc Charter School, Prairie Crossing Charter School and Yccs-association House. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Illinois charter public schools have an average math proficiency score of 10% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 14% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Charter Public Schools in Illinois (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ybmc Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
360 Wylie Dr Ste 305
Normal, IL 61761
(309) 454-3898
Gr: 11-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
Prairie Crossing Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1531 Jones Point Rd
Grayslake, IL 60030
(847) 543-9722
Gr: K-8 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #33.
Yccs-association House
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1116 N Kedzie Ave Fl 4
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 772-7170
Gr: 9-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 53:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Southland College Prep Chtr High School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4601 Sauk Trl
Richton Park, IL 60471
(708) 748-0100
Gr: 9-12 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Horizon Science Acad-mckinley Pk
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2245 W Pershing Rd
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 247-8400
Gr: K-12 | 873 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Learn Chtr School 6 N Chicago Campus
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3131 Sheridan Rd
Great Lakes, IL 60088
(847) 377-0600
Gr: K-8 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #77.
Elgin Math And Science Academy Chtr
Charter School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1600 Dundee Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
(630) 883-5013
Gr: K-8 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #88.
Learn John Kathy Schreiber Chrtr
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1200 W Glen Flora Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-0690
Gr: K-8 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Cambridge Lakes Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
840 Campus Dr
Hampshire, IL 60140
(847) 464-4300
Gr: K-12 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1010.
Locke A Elementary Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3141 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 265-7232
Gr: K-8 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1111.
Charter Oak Primary School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5221 W Timberedge Dr
Peoria, IL 61615
(309) 693-4433
Gr: K-4 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1212.
Chicago Math & Sci Elementary Charter
Charter School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7212 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 761-8960
Gr: 6-12 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1313.
Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5135 S California Ave
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 434-6355
Gr: K-8 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1414.
Great Lakes Academy Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8401 S Saginaw Ave
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 503-3040
Gr: K-8 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #1515.
Springfield Ball Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2530 E Ash St
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 525-3275
Gr: K-8 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1616.
Horizon Science Acad-belmont
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2456 N Mango Ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 237-2702
Gr: K-10 | 785 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1717.
Cics - Avalon/south Shore
Charter School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1501 E 83rd Pl
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-0858
Gr: K-8 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1
Rank: #1818.
Learn Charter Excel Campus
Charter School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3021 W Carroll Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 243-7001
Gr: K-6 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1919.
Learn Chtr - Hunter Perkins Camp
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 W 83rd St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 488-1634
Gr: K-8 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Cics - Washington Pk Campus
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
110 E 61st St
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 347-0200
Gr: K-8 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1
Rank: #2121.
Univ Of Chicago Chtr-nth Kenwood
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1119 E 46th St
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 536-2399
Gr: PK-5 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22 - 2622. - 26.
Ace Amandla Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6820 S Washtenaw Ave
Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 535-7150
Gr: 9-12 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #22 - 2622. - 26.
Ijla Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2570 S Blue Island
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 890-8060
Gr: 9-12 | 95 students
Rank: #22 - 2622. - 26.
Siu Charter School Of East St Louis
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
601 James R Thompson Blvd
East Saint Louis, IL 62201
(618) 482-8391
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #22 - 2622. - 26.
Yccs-community Youth Dev Inst High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7836 S Union Ave
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 224-2273
Gr: 9-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #22 - 2622. - 26.
Yccs-olive Harvey Mid College High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
10001 S Woodlawn Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 291-6517
Gr: 9-12 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
Rank: #2727.
Cics - Irving Park Campus
Charter School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3820 N Spaulding Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 433-5000
Gr: K-8 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2510 W Cortez St
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 455-5410
Gr: K-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Learn Chtr-campbell Campus
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
212 S Francisco Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 826-0370
Gr: K-6 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3030.
Christopher House Chrt Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5235 W Belden St
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 922-7542
Gr: PK-8 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3131.
Learn Chtr - South Chicago Campus
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8914 S Buffalo Ave
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 722-8577
Gr: K-8 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
Noble St Chtr-noble Campus
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1010 N Noble St
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 862-1449
Gr: 9-12 | 696 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3333.
Cics - Basil Campus
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1816 W Garfield Blvd
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 778-9455
Gr: K-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1
Rank: #3434.
Noble St Chtr-the Noble Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1443 N Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 574-1527
Gr: 9-12 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3535.
Yccs-mckinley-lakeside Leadership
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2920 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 949-5010
Gr: 9-12 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked charter public schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked charter public schools in Illinois include Ybmc Charter School, Prairie Crossing Charter School and Yccs-association House.
How many charter public schools are located in Illinois?
132 charter public schools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois charter public schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

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