For the 2026 school year, there are 1374 public schools serving 684,127 students in Cook County, IL (there are 763 private schools, serving 136,097 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Cook County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cook County, IL are Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Northside College Preparatory High School and Young Magnet High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cook County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Cook County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cook County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Gr: 1-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #22.
Northside College Preparatory High School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5501 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-3954
Gr: 9-12 | 1,061 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Gr: 7-12 | 2,223 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #44.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Gr: 7-12 | 4,604 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #55.
Payton College Preparatory High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-0034
Gr: 9-12 | 1,260 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Gr: K-8 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Jones College Prep High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
700 S State St
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Chicago, IL 60605
(773) 534-8600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,954 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #88.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Gr: K-8 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #99.
Skinner North Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Gr: K-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1010.
Westmoor Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2500 Cherry Ln
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7960
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7960
Gr: PK-5 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1111.
Wescott Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1820 Western Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-4660
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-4660
Gr: K-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1212.
Greenbriar Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2195 Cherry Ln
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7950
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7950
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5020 Central Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Greeley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
275 Fairview Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-6060
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-6060
Gr: K-4 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Highlands Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5850 Laurel Ave
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-6886
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-6886
Gr: PK-4 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1616.
Glenbrook North High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2300 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6400
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,111 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1717.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
525 Sunset Ridge Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 881-9459
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 881-9459
Gr: 4-8 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1818.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
615 W Kemper Pl
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Gr: K-8 | 868 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1919.
Northbrook Junior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Gr: 6-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2020.
Romona Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
600 Romona Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Gr: PK-4 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2121.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
(Math: 80% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3319 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Gr: K-8 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2222.
Wood Oaks Jr High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1250 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2323.
New Trier Township H S Winnetka
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
385 Winnetka Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-7000
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-7000
Gr: 10-12 | 2,770 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2424.
Central School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
620 Greenwood Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2525.
Marie Murphy School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2921 Illinois Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3617
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3617
Gr: 6-8 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
The Joseph Sears School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
542 Abbotsford Rd
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 853-3803
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 853-3803
Gr: PK-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Shabonee School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1000 Pfingsten Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-4970
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-4970
Gr: 3-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Field Park Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4335 Howard Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7675
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7675
Gr: K-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Willowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2500 Happy Hollow Rd
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 400-8803
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 400-8803
Gr: PK-5 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
George B Carpenter Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
300 N Hamlin Ave
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 318-4370
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 318-4370
Gr: K-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
The Skokie School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 Glendale Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 441-1750
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 441-1750
Gr: 5-6 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
511 Park Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
Gr: PK-4 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3434.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
910 Central Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6100
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6100
Gr: K-4 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3535.
Highcrest Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
569 Hunter Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6500
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6500
Gr: 5-6 | 748 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Show 100 more public schools in Cook County, IL (out of 1,374 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cook County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Cook County, IL include Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Northside College Preparatory High School and Young Magnet High School.
How many public schools are located in Cook County?
1,387 public schools are located in Cook County.
What percentage of students in Cook County go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Cook County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cook County?
Cook County public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cook County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cook County include: Lawn Manor School vs. Kolmar Avenue Elementary School, J Sterling Morton East High School vs. J Sterling Morton West High School, Lions Park Elementary School vs. Fairview Elementary School
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