2024 Best Elementary Schools in the Chicago Area

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  144 reviews

Alum: The school is what you make of it. There are a lot of amazing teachers with a passion for their material, but if you don't make any effort to learn then you're not going to get much. I started coming during 8th grade and I think this was great timing. I wouldn't have been able to come before for a mixture of financial, mental, and academic reasons. It gave me time to transition into high school and meet new people, although I'd say I found my core group more near the end of sophomore year. It has a reputation as a 'professor's kid daycare' school but that's not fully accurate. The majority of kids are children of UChicago or Lab employees, but they have a diverse pool of jobs and aren't generally that preppy.... Read 144 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  63 reviews

Parent: Our two children have attended BISC since nursery and they are now in 7th and 5th. Our children have developed a true love of learning and they love going to school. The teachers are so impressive—they work hard to understand their students keep them engaged. The curriculum is so well thought out and prepares students for higher learning and beyond, from an academic and life perspective. They emphasize values from a young age and encourage leadership. All of this and they worked unbelievably hard to ensure they continued delivering high quality learning during the pandemic. So so impressive!... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 689

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  157 reviews

Sophomore: I came to Roycemore as a 9th grader, and I would say that my transition from middle school to high school was pretty much seamless. The community makes me feel very welcomed, and I enjoy seeing my teachers radiant faces when I come to class. Roycemore helps everyone be themself without any shame, and I think that's what's unique about it. As a small school, Roycemore also offers a bunch of extracurricular activities during and after the school day. These include clubs, and athletics. Joining these activities are ways to make new friends in different grades, and share interests with others like you!... Read 157 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 244

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Winnetka, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  86 reviews

Parent: Our kids have been in the lower, middle, and upper schools at NSCD and we feel incredibly lucky. They are very different kids but both have thrived there. The opportunity to do everything--academics, sports, arts--really helped them grow and broaden their interests. The high school in particular is a hidden gem on the North Shore. The level of individual attention our kids got was remarkable and so different from what we hear about at other local high schools. The combo of small classes and hands-on learning is incredibly impactful. Our current college student found her freshman year to be a breeze because of her academic preparation! College counseling program is amazing and college outcomes strong. Also, the ability to play athletics at a high level all through high school was fabulous. The school doesn't offer every sport you might think of, but the chance to play multiple sports for four years rather than getting cut early on was important to us. Top to bottom a great experience.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 547

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  114 reviews

Middle School Student: At Latin there is an excellent academic program. The staff tries their best to make sure we succeed no matter what we are trying to do. You can choose almost any sport and the teachers will train you and help you grow. There is almost any club you can choose and if you don’t see one you like you can make your own. They are super organized and have been so prepared for any issues that come their way. In general Latin has given me an amazing experience and I definitely recommend!... Read 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  21 reviews

Senior: It's a small school. Everyone knows each other. It's very much a community of foreigners in Chicago. However, there are Americans. Students always come out of my school as bilingual in French and English. I myself am and have also learned German. It's a great opportunity for all children. They have two programs once you reach high school: the IB program and the Bac program. Both are wonderful. My sister has graduated from the IB program and I will graduate from the Bac program later this year. However, this is a very small school. Don't come here if you're searching for the stereotypical high school experience with football and homecoming. I, however, have loved my school as I have gone here since I was three years old. The teachers are all very accommodating and will know you by name even years after teaching you. It's a very nice environment to grow up in. It can feel stifling at times with the small size. I recommend this school for the bilingual experience!... Read 21 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 746

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  131 reviews

Parent: I have 2 children at Morgan Park Academy in the Early Childhood program and we love it! My kids are engaged and challenged academically and are taught about kindness in a world that seems to have forgotten about it. I love that my children could sing and count in French, Spanish, and Mandarin from the age of 3. The teachers truly care about the students and work hard to make it a great learning environment. Morgan Park Academy is a small school but an awesome community.... Read 131 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 490

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  66 reviews

Senior: Francis Parker has been my school since I was 5 years old. I love my friends and I have a good relationship with a lot of my teachers. Overall I've learned a lot in my classes and it can be fun and interesting a lot of the time. It's a cool place but it would be better if the population reflected more of the real world as far as race, ethnicity, economic status ability, and more. Everything there is basically really nice and you kind of know you're fortunate to be there and hopefully you don't take it for granted. I like a lot of the clubs and have learned from being part of them, and I've also had fun playing sports and playing in the school orchestra. It's fun being a Senior and seeing all the younger kids and remembering what it was like back then.... Read 66 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 935

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Elgin, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  43 reviews

Parent: Our rising junior will be entering their 14th year at Elgin Academy, having attended since pre-K. That alone speaks volumes - we've offered our child the opportunity to change schools at lower school, middle school, and high school entrance points. There was no question he wanted to stay. Our child is happy, challenged, and displays growing confidence each year. EA sets the kids up for success by the ready accessibility of the teachers, the challenging curriculum, and approaching each student in a holistic manner. I was especially impressed with how my child's teachers were able to successfully pivot their curriculum to live-streaming during our first go-round with Covid-19 remote learning. They didn't miss a beat; classes were live, with instructors and students fully participating. The commitment of the Elgin Academy teachers and staff are evident across the board. If you're looking for a school that truly cares about your child and their success, check out EA!... Read 43 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 227

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Northfield, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  108 reviews

Senior: My experience at Christian Heritage Academy has been life-changing. The teachers here truly care about you and your well-being and are more than qualified to give a strong, meaningful education. Being a smaller school, there is more room for personal connections and help from the faculty than a larger high school might give. Coming to school feels comfortable and safe. The culture of the school is rooted in good values encouraging everyone to treat each other with respect and kindness. Of course, no school is perfect. The school is a small private school meaning they do not have as many opportunities for certain sports/activities because of the lack of students/funding. For example, there is no football team and the school orchestra is very limited in players. With more kids attending the school, I think a change could happen in these areas if the school had more students sign up for it. After all, there is no other school as welcoming as Christian Heritage Academy.... Read 108 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Elgin, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  16 reviews

Parent: This school is exactly what gifted students need. Students are able (and encouraged) to work up to their own individual potential, always above grade level. When students leave Einstein to attend public school or pursue college, they are more than well-equipped to handle the academics they will encounter. Sports? We're talking about gifted kids here. Yes, some are also talented in various sports, but the primary focus of this school is on well-rounded academics... not having star athletes.... Read 16 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 89

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  55 reviews

Parent: Our family loves the focus on learning by doing at Bennett. Students and teachers are always working together in project-based learning, and they are being prepared for the real world from a young age through their natural curiosity. Bennett has a great 'best of' approach with a Singapore-based math program focused on depth and mastery to complement the Reggio Emilia approach, which inspires the collaborative learning environment. There is a grading and assessment system in middle and upper school in particular that focuses on developing competencies with deep feedback about student mastery that converts to letter grades for college, but is much more comprehensive with detailed feedback vs traditional letter grades. The upper school students score well above national averages on standardized tests, and on national benchmarked surveys, where students nationally say school makes them feel tired, bored, and stressed, tstudents at Bennett say they are excited, engaged, and love school!... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 353

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Naperville, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  18 reviews

Parent: NCA has been utterly transformative in the lives of our children. Three of our children are NCA graduates and two more are on their ways. This is a place where our children have been loved, nurtured, guided, and also challenged. They have been immersed in great literature and have engaged in hundreds of hours of thoughtful discussion, wrestling with ideas that have shaped and influenced them in profound ways. In a culture that is increasingly at odds with our Judeo-Christian beliefs, our children have learned how to discern Truth from error and then winsomely and humbly defend it. These are skills that will last them a lifetime and for which we are most grateful. The good, the true, and the beautiful is truly a part of the DNA of this school!... Read 18 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 128

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Barrington Community Unit School District No. 220, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Excellent staff both in the classroom and the front office. The school nurse, music, art and PE staff are outstanding.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 397

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Kenilworth, IL•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• grade A+

• Students 469

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Barrington Community Unit School District No. 220, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We’ve been a part of the Barrington community for 5 years now and love the public school community at Grove. The teachers are highly engaged and did an exceptional job navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic several years ago. The parent teacher organization is also well run and keeps parents actively integrated in the happenings in and around the school. The school district on the whole is very well managed, offering excellent programs, such as their dual-language immersion programs, that make the district a desirable one for parents of all backgrounds. There’s a dedicated STEM professional on staff, as well as an emphasis on music, arts, and physical education as part of a well-rounded education that doesn’t over-index on just math and reading. As long as the stellar school board remains in place, which is never assured these days, Grove and its sister schools should continue to thrive and continue ranking high.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 497

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Northbrook Elementary School District No. 27, IL•

• 3-5

• grade A+

• Students 449

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: While we have limited experience at Meadow Glens with this being the first year, so far we really like the school. Our daughter is in the PI+ program and while quite challenging, she has learned so much more than we could have imagined. It is extremely fast-paced and may not be appropriate for all students. In the program, social studies, science and math are excellent. They read and discuss great classic literature too. Wish there was more of a focus on grammar for more refined writing. The program is project-based, reflective of real-world experience. It helps that she loves her teacher who is kind and appears to have worked outside of teaching as well. There are a variety of sports offered at the school through the park district. The specials teachers are great too, especially the Art Teacher who seems to have a great affinity for children.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 477

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Indian Prairie Community Unit School District No. 204, IL•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 290

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: I went to this school for 5 years of my life and the teachers and faculty there made sure that those 5 years were enjoyable and fun but still educational and I am thankful for that. The only downside really is the administration occasionally made some decisions that were quite unpopular but overall an amazing school with an amazing community.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 589

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Barrington Community Unit School District No. 220, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Both my daughter's have attended this school. I can not imagine a school who cares more about their students well being.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 290

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 241

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Bannockburn, IL•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Fantastic school. The administration does a fabulous job with cultivating an inclusive community. Teachers are kind and incredibly responsive when there are questions. There is no school in the area that can top this K-8 experience. We truly hit the jackpot, and are grateful every day.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 153

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Middle school student: The Best school experience iv'e ever had best teachers and learning environment they take things seriously but also joke around a little bit when seem fit... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 501

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Barrington Community Unit School District No. 220, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Roslyn is an excellent school with excellent teachers! I used to go there but now I’m in middle school, but my sister still goes there and also says it’s amazing... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 448

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1