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

Best Cook County Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 118 public charter schools serving 55,284 students in Cook County, IL.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Cook County, IL are Yccs-association House, Southland College Prep Chtr High School and Horizon Science Acad-mckinley Pk. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cook County, IL public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 9% (versus the Illinois public charter school average of 10%), and reading proficiency score of 13% (versus the 14% statewide average). Charter schools in Cook County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public charter school average of 97% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Cook County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #14 - 1714. - 17.
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: #14 - 1714. - 17.
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: #14 - 1714. - 17.
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: #14 - 1714. - 17.
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: #1818.
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: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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
Rank: #2727.
Kipp One Academy
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
730 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 938-8578
Gr: K-8 | 996 students Student-teacher ratio: 125:1
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Yccs West
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4909 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 261-0994
Gr: 9-12 | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 40:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Yccs-west Town Academy Alt High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
500 N Sacramento Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 563-9044
Gr: 9-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3030.
Acero Chtr Network - Jovita Idar
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5050 S Homan Ave
Chicago, IL 60632
(312) 455-5450
Gr: K-8 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3131.
Acero Chtr - Spc Zizumbo Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4248 W 47th St
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 579-3470
Gr: K-8 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2845 W Barry Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 279-9826
Gr: K-8 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Noble St Chtr-itw Speer Academy
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5321 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 622-7484
Gr: 9-12 | 1,135 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #34 - 3634. - 36.
Learn Chtr - Butler
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1132 S Homan Ave
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 722-0200
Gr: K-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
Rank: #34 - 3634. - 36.
Noble St Chtr Rauner College Prep
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1337 W Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 226-5345
Gr: 9-12 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Cook County, IL?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Cook County, IL include Yccs-association House, Southland College Prep Chtr High School and Horizon Science Acad-mckinley Pk.
How many public charter schools are located in Cook County?
121 public charter schools are located in Cook County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cook County?
Cook County public charter schools minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public charter schools average of 97% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Cook County are often viewed compared to one another?

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