2023 Best High Schools in the Chicago Area

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  421 reviews

Senior: I've been here for all four years and I love this school! Truly, the best part of the school is the teachers. Of course, you'll have a few that aren't your favorite, but I've found teachers I really admire. They are here because they love to teach. The student body as a whole is also really great, at least for my years here. We went through a lot of administration struggles, but what pulled us together was our support for our teachers and the shared values that we have as students. The course load is challenging but manageable, but I also felt really well prepared from my elementary school. All that being said, Payton has many normal issues like any high school (some student drama, mediocre/bad food, people that you like and don't like, etc).... Read 421 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,191

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  607 reviews

Senior: Northside is very inclusive and lively. Students are involved in all parts of the school such as the production of a musical, the display of sculptural work, and even the spread of awareness for minority groups. At Northside, the individual is strengthened in personal and academic identity. It’s rigorous tasks and unique class schedules prepare students for college academia. As a fellow Northsider, I can say that there was a difficult adjustment to Northside’s expectations, however, I have found an amazing and supportive community alongside it. If you are considering Northside, I hope you are warmed by it’s strengths in education and community!... Read 607 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,041

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Aurora, IL•

• Public School•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  364 reviews

Senior: IMSA is a fantastic school for students who want to take their education to the next level. The diversity and academics are excellent, and the shared culture between the students is incredible. That being said, the high workload causes many students to encounter mental health challenges. Lack of proper nutrition, hygiene, and sleep are more common at this high school than at others. Most students get an average of 3-4 hours of homework per day, which can be difficult to balance with mental health, clubs, and other commitments. There is a club for practically every interest a student could have, and there is always something to do on campus. The residential environment allows for deeper connections with peers and establishes lifelong relationships. The biggest issue at IMSA is the administration, which routinely makes questionable decisions that clearly do not consider student input. Overall, IMSA is one of a kind, and the positives of the school definitely outweigh the negatives.... Read 364 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 629

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  138 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 138 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: During this pandemic, we are very grateful that Lake Forest Academy has provided a safe learning environment for our son and other boarders. The impact is minimized with the best efforts.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 436

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  1,163 reviews

Sophomore: Whitney Young is a great school with great academics and athletics. There are hundreds of clubs to choose from. The school prepares kids for academic success and college readiness. The teachers are caring and the administration makes sure there are rules set in place to help everyone in the school feel at home. The teachers, except maybe 1 or 2, have been the best and are always open to listen to you. The athletic teams always win championships each year and they are supplied with lots of equipment and everything they need. There are many resources helping students in many different ways, like the counseling department and much more. The students all feel well connected to the staff and the weekly newsletter, "The Weekly" answers the concerns or questions that a student may bring up. The school is very diverse, and everyone feels included. There are many safety protocols that everyone must follow to help everyone feel safe. Overall, my time at Whitney Young has been great!... Read 1,163 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,121

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  1,236 reviews

Freshman: My experience at SHS was pretty good this year as a freshman! Having this be my first year, I was pretty scared and a bit hesitant to continue the next 4 years at this huge school. But Stevenson is a super welcoming place, with amazing teachers, staff and students. They have this thing called freshman orientation, which is the day before school starts. A bunch of our juniors and seniors come in to guide us through the school, and answer questions we have. These same Fmp leaders are the main people for advisory, which is another program assisted to help freshmen meet new people. Advisory takes place during half our lunch, and in my opinion was pretty fun, we played games, did activities and I met a lot of close friends in it. I didn’t mind advisory, but I know a lot of other people didn’t like the fact that it was a whole year, so maybe a suggestion would be making it only for the 1st semester so we can have full lunch 2nd semester. But overall I thank shs for such a great first year!... Read 1,236 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,315

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  745 reviews

Junior: Highly focused on academics, Jones is fosters an environment which prioritizes students’ individual success above many other factors like overall community or school spirit. Although for some this may be a considered a point of weakness, it allows for students to develop a true sense of self and an individualized social and academic profile which will best benefit them in their future endeavors. The Jones staff is notoriously supportive of students in all facets of their lives; constantly willing to help not only with class content but social-emotional issues, personal lives, college preparation, and many other factors. A primary complaint from students is the distant and impersonal nature of administration, who have been known to turn a blind eye to social issues within the student body. This however has been recently addressed by Chicago Public Schools and is on a track of rapid improvement.... Read 745 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,915

• Student-teacher ratio —

• 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

• Winnetka, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: North Shore is by no doubt an amazing school. While it is small and a bit sheltered, the school culture promotes independence and hard work in their students through rigorous courses and workloads. The school also requires its students to participate in the performing arts and athletics, which allows many students to be forced to develop their leadership skills and personality. MANY of the teachers are of high quality, compassionate, and care about developing relationships with their students. The humanities department is significantly more developed and better than that of STEM. STEM classes only prove to be worth it if it is an AP or required course. I wish North Shore would do better at is encouraging their students to take higher-level courses. The administration will usually discourage their students from taking AP classes based on their previous courses, and make it seem like the students aren't capable of taking all AP classes if they want to, nor do they even allow them to.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 547

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  57 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 57 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 651

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  382 reviews

Alum: Going to school at Hinsdale Central was a wonderful experience for me. One thing I loved about Hinsdale Central was the challenging academic curriculum. The teachers were passionate and knowledgeable, and they pushed me to reach my full potential. I felt well-prepared for college after graduating. Another thing I appreciated was the extensive extracurricular opportunities. There were numerous clubs, sports teams, and other programs available, which allowed me to explore my interests and develop new skills. I made lasting friendships through my participation in extracurricular activities. The school culture at Hinsdale Central was also positive and inclusive. The community was diverse and welcoming, and I felt like I belonged there. Overall, my experience going to school at Hinsdale Central was excellent. The challenging academics, extensive extracurricular opportunities, supportive community, and modern facilities made it a great place to learn and grow.... Read 382 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,613

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  155 reviews

Parent: Our family came to Roycemore in 8th grade from another independent school in the Chicagoland area. We chose Roycemore because of the small, individual attention each student receives. When my daughter started Roycemore she was quiet and lacked confidence and it made it difficult for her to connect with both her peers and teachers. Once she started at Roycemore she was making friends and building relationships with teachers. My daughter is now an upper school student at Roycemore. She is involved in the yearbook, student government, plays a sport and is involved in numerous other clubs and activities. She has blossomed into a confident, intelligent young person with a bright future and I credit this confidence and growth to the nurturing environment Roycemore offers. She has found her voice and a love for learning. We are so grateful to be a part of the Roycemore community!... Read 155 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 244

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  3,199 reviews

Senior: I have had such a memorable experience at Lane! I couldn't ask for more. The staff is wonderful, the teachers care about the students and the students are so friendly. I played football, baseball and run track at lane and I have had so much fun not only competing, but playing alongside my friends. The coaches care so much about their athletes and are always striving to help us be better people. I wouldn't change much about Lane, the community is amazing and I am exited for college, but I will miss my high school and its memories.... Read 3,199 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,369

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Glenbrook High School District 225, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  542 reviews

Alum: Great School! A lot of resources available to students to guarantee success, but it all depends on the student's intent. Advising could definitely be better in terms of a more thorough pipeline after graduating instead of just classes. The school facilities are unmatched thought. It is incredible how big the campus is and how many resources the school has. Many schools in the state can only dream of such facilities as 2 pools, the sports fields, and the state of the art technology. My experience at GBS had some issues because at times the school ran itself in a very totalitarian way. The school administrators rarely advocated for the growth among students belonging to lower class families. This also translated to inability to motivate social mobility, by having more disadvantaged students not be tempted to take advanced placement courses. Regardless the school prepared me well for college.... Read 542 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,139

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  1,141 reviews

Senior: I am going to be a senior at Neuqua Valley this upcoming school year. There is great diversity throughout all the grade levels and minority groups have tripled in size throughout all my 3 years. The staff are very passionate about teaching the youth and are open to helping students during their lunch periods in the ARC. There is great variety of clubs, intramurals, sports, and activities at Neuqua! Cohesively, the students are nice, including, and make you feel welcomed into school. If you were to look at the school geographically, you would see that there are two campuses in the area. There’s a gold campus for the incoming Freshman, to get eased into the high school environment, and there’s a Blue campus for the upperclassmen! It is another great upside to Neuqua as it helps the freshmen overcome school anxiety. Last but not least, the school cirriculum and course catalog has a large variety of classes to captivate students attention, even if they are undecided in a career path!... Read 1,141 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,403

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Glenbrook High School District 225, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  451 reviews

Sophomore: In general, Glenbrook North High school offers one of the best education program and curriculum in Illinois! Our school provides many educational opportunities and challenges for each and every student currently attending this specific high school! In other words, GBN provides high-level sport activities, clubs, as well as projects! As a current sophomore, I've been able to obtain leadership and social skills as a community member of GBN! As a regular participant of Key Club and Medical Club, I've been able to achieve long-term goals I've set for my overall high school experience through interacting with other students and assisting their needs. I am proud to say every single teacher at our school is fair and equal to each and every student of Glenbrook North High school.... Read 451 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,025

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 211, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  642 reviews

Senior: As a senior, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my high school journey. I am proud to say that I have attended William Fremd for the past four years. Known as one of the most rigorous public schools in Illinois, Fremd has pushed me academically and I feel ready to go on to college. I am grateful for the AP classes Fremd has to offer and the wonderful teachers who teach these courses. My peers rank high academically and they motivate me each day to do my best. Besides the academics, Fremd has so many fascinating clubs and activities available for students. This is a great way to meet new people and explore your passions. If I could change one thing about Fremd, I would add more language courses to the curriculum. Fremd is a very diverse school, but we don’t offer diverse classes. As a first-generation student, I would love the opportunity to take a language class in my foreign language. Overall, Fremd is a superb place and I am proud to be a Viking!... Read 642 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,650

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Community High School District 128, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  378 reviews

Senior: As a high school senior at Vernon Hills High School, this school has provided me with a variety of opportunities that aided me throughout my high school career and so on. The overall school culture makes the school safe and inviting for all students, especially new incoming students. There is a plethora of college resources at Vernon Hills High School that help all students, regardless of how they decide to go on with their future. Overall, Vernon Hills High School is an inviting learning space that boosts confidence in students both academically and personally, preparing them for the challenges ahead of them in life.... Read 378 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,570

• Student-teacher ratio —

• New Trier Township High School District No. 203, IL•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  578 reviews

Senior: Overall my experience at New Trier High School has been a positive one. Majority of teachers recognize the individual student and treat students accordingly. Most of my teachers have shown me compassion that has fueled my academic success. My experience in athletics and academic clubs has provided me with invaluable skills, preparing me for a successful career. Athletics and academic clubs provide unique opportunities for all students, regardless of past experience, leading to confident students willing to take athletic and academic risks. Despite the large student population, accessibility of various communities provides students with intimate relationships and meaningful connections. Unfortunately, this same praise cannot be applied towards the diversity of New Trier’s student population. The lack of diversity within the student and teacher population is worrisome and in order to have a program that produces truly well-educated and accepting students, this issue must be addressed.... Read 578 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,040

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  172 reviews

Alum: This school is a very high-top type of school. The outside environment is beautiful! The teachers here are very well educated and want the best for your education and future. This school is very diverse and offers very diverse programs to learn about different cultures and perspectives. The classes are very well taught and this school also provides fun activities. It isn't just booked, this school gives you the whole experience. To dances, clubs, sports teams, and other fun things and events. During my years at LFHS, I was able to gain the skills to become a great student and feel well educated. If I would have kids, I would 100% make sure they attend this high school.... Read 172 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,501

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  64 reviews

Parent: As a former black student at Parker, I’ll try an give as unbiased a review as possible. My experience was from 7th grade until sophomore year between the years of 2002-2006. I was fortunate enough to have had the experience of going to a public, private, military, and reform school, so I believe I can say with some accuracy, which school gave me the best education, best connections, and best overall experience, and that was Parker. The access, the small class sizes, the teachers, and the curriculum are all stellar. You essentially get what you pay for as most students who graduate are well rounded, well adjusted, and are given the tools to think critically and contextualize most, if not all situations. With that being said, Parker has always had, and will probably always have an issue garnering more POC and black students into its community. This has mainly to do with the cost of tuition. Ultimately, even with this being the case, Parker is worth it and will give your child a leg up.... Read 64 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 935

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  493 reviews

Senior: Barrington High School is a large high school in the heart of Barrington that offers its students a wide range of academic classes, activities, and clubs to participate in. What I personally enjoy most about Barrington are its unique elective courses. In particular, they offer a variety of of art classes that specialize on art ranging from photography to ceramics to digital art. Another aspect of Barrington that I enjoy is its school spirit and its teachers' true dedication and care for their students. I have had many teachers throughout my high school career and I can say that the majority of them put every effort to help their students, making sure they were set up for success. Overall, being at Barrington these past four years has been a blessing and something I will never forget!... Read 493 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,872

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  699 reviews

Senior: Metea has a lot of resources for motivated students to succeed! Especially for students interested in the business field (there is the business professionals of America and DECA) and law/political science (youth and government). Overall, the staff is pretty decent for the humanities classes and just okay for math; however, much of the science staff are not well-versed in their subject and students should be expected to self-teach themselves. With that said, I have had my share of effective science teachers, but generally they are a hit or miss.... Read 699 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,018

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  71 reviews

Parent: I am not going to sugar coat this. I was skeptical of Woodlands at first. It is small, tucked away in Lake Forest, and single gender. Maybe this was an environment that was too protected, sheltered, and "hand holding" for a young woman in high school? And while it is small, the experience has been anything but "too reserved or safe". The school is diverse and composed of students from the City, the burbs, and international locations that span the socio-economic spectrum. The academics are great and exceed expectation. If a student seeks challenge, the answer is always yes! If a student tries to back away from their potential, a teacher is on it. Students appreciate that WA will not let potential go unfulfilled. Girls learn to advocate & take pride in their accomplishments. Upon graduation they leave WA self-sufficient & confident women. They are ready to define their unique place in society. Despite school size, college placement is amazing! Deserves all the accolades!... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1