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Best Public Schools in Waukegan, IL (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Waukegan Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 14,477 students in Waukegan, IL (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,133 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Waukegan, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Waukegan, IL are H R Mccall Elementary School, Little Fort Elementary School and John S Clark Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Waukegan, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 10% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 12% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Waukegan have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Waukegan, IL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
H R Mccall Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3215 N Mcaree Rd
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-1760
Gr: K-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
Little Fort Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1775 Blanchard Rd
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-3700
Gr: K-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
John S Clark Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
601 Blanchard Rd
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-1570
Gr: K-5 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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: #55.
Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
522 Belvidere Rd
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-1700
Gr: K-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #66.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1919 North Ave
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-2080
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #77.
John R Lewis Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
600 S Lewis Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2560
Gr: 6-8 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #88.
Hyde Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1525 Hyde Park Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-1970
Gr: K-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Oakdale Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2230 N Mcaree Rd
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-1860
Gr: PK-5 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1010.
Glen Flora Elementary School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1110 Chestnut St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-1800
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Clearview Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 Delaware Rd
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-1600
Gr: PK-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1212.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
901 N Lewis Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-1900
Gr: K-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 7%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2500 Northmoor Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2010
Gr: K-5 | 577 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1414.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
110 S Orchard Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2220
Gr: K-5 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Edith M Smith Middle School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
930 New York St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2760
Gr: 6-8 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Howe Elementary School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
10271 W Beach Rd
Waukegan, IL 60087
(847) 599-5362
Gr: K-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Carman-buckner Elementary School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
520 Helmholz Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-1500
Gr: PK-5 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Robert E Abbott Middle School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1319 Washington St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2360
Gr: 6-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
North Elementary School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
410 Franklin St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2160
Gr: PK-5 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Waukegan High School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 7%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1011 Washington St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 4,186 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2121.
Jack Benny Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1401 Montesano Ave
Waukegan, IL 60087
(224) 303-2470
Gr: 6-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2222.
Lyon Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
800 S Elmwood Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2300
Gr: K-5 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Miguel Juarez Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 N Butrick St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-2660
Gr: 6-8 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Learning Center
1721 N Mcaree Rd
Waukegan, IL 60085
(224) 303-1400
Gr: PK | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Waukegan, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Waukegan, IL include H R Mccall Elementary School, Little Fort Elementary School and John S Clark Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Waukegan?
24 public schools are located in Waukegan.
What percentage of students in Waukegan go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Waukegan are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Waukegan?
Waukegan public schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Waukegan are often viewed compared to one another?

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