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

Best Cook County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 642 public middle schools serving 314,341 students in Cook County, IL.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cook County, IL are Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Young Magnet High School and Lane Technical High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cook County, IL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 25% (versus the 29% statewide average). Middle schools in Cook County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Cook County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3020 W 108th St
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 535-2636
Gr: 1-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #22.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Gr: 7-12 | 2,223 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #33.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Gr: 7-12 | 4,604 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Gr: K-8 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Gr: K-8 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #66.
Skinner North Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Gr: K-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #77.
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
525 Sunset Ridge Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 881-9459
Gr: 4-8 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
615 W Kemper Pl
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5720
Gr: K-8 | 868 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #99.
Northbrook Junior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Gr: 6-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1010.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
(Math: 80% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3319 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Gr: K-8 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1111.
Wood Oaks Jr High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1250 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1212.
Central School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
620 Greenwood Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Marie Murphy School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2921 Illinois Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3617
Gr: 6-8 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
The Joseph Sears School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
542 Abbotsford Rd
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 853-3803
Gr: PK-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1515.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1616.
Mcclure Jr High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4225 Wolf Rd
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Gr: 6-8 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1717.
Bronzeville Classical Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8 W Root St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 535-8085
Gr: K-8 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1818.
Skinner Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Gr: PK-8 | 1,139 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1919.
Maple School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2370 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 400-8905
Gr: 6-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2020.
Carleton W Washburne School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
515 Hibbard Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-5892
Gr: 7-8 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2121.
Burley Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1630 W Barry Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5475
Gr: K-8 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2222.
Mcdade Elementary Classical School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8801 S Indiana Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 535-3669
Gr: K-8 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Wilmette Junior High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
620 Locust Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6600
Gr: 7-8 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2424.
Mayer Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2250 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5535
Gr: PK-8 | 707 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2525.
H H Conrady Jr High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7950 W 97th St
Hickory Hills, IL 60457
(708) 233-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,047 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2626.
Field School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2055 Landwehr Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6884
Gr: 6-8 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2727.
Margaret Mead Junior High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1765 Biesterfield Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 357-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 702 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2828.
Roosevelt School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7560 Oak Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-9230
Gr: 5-8 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2929.
Palos South Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
13100 S 82nd Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-5971
Gr: 6-8 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3030.
Park Junior High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
325 N Park Rd
La Grange Park, IL 60526
(708) 215-7100
Gr: 7-8 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3131.
Prescott Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1632 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5505
Gr: K-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3232.
Coonley Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4046 N Leavitt St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5140
Gr: K-8 | 723 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3333.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3730 N Oakley Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5150
Gr: K-8 | 902 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #3434.
Poe Elementary Classical School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10538 S Langley Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 535-5525
Gr: K-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3535.
Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1650 W Cornelia Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5484
Gr: PK-8 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Cook County, IL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cook County, IL include Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, Young Magnet High School and Lane Technical High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Cook County?
643 public middle schools are located in Cook County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cook County?
Cook County public middle schools minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cook County are often viewed compared to one another?

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