2019 Best Magnet Schools in the Chicago AreaAbout this List

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

• Public School
• Aurora, IL
• 10-12
• 251

Senior: Wonderful experience! I loved going to IMSA for the past three years. Although the academics are very challenging, and many late nights will be spent studying, the teachers care about the students and want to see them grow and succeed. The opportunities here are endless, including a wonderful SIR (Student Inquiry Research) program which allows the students to spend their Wednesdays researching. The school has also had many new renovations, including new science labs, study areas, and much more. The school is also so diverse, and students are encouraged to share their opinions and life stories. What a wonderful place to study!
Read 251 Reviews

• A+

• 647 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Walter Payton College Prep

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 329

Junior: Walter Payton College Prep is an amazing Liberal Arts school from which students leave ready to tackle the challenges of today. Here, you can play the trombone in front of hundreds of students. Here, you can swing swords and climb mountains. Here, you can do challenging math way above your pay grade. Here, you will learn about the history of our country from a multitude of perspectives, and read substantive essays from magnificent authors. The teachers at Walter Payton College Prep never cease to pique your curiosity. Faculty, in its entirety, has a great spectrum of wisdom and is a pillar of support for everyone who seeks their aid. And the students, from the 1st day freshman wondering the halls to the senior taking his last glance of the school, have a burning passion to learn and play 'till the bell strikes 3:30P.M.everyday. We can't wait to meet with you, share with you, and learn from you here at Walter Payton College Prep!
Read 329 Reviews

• A+

• 977 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northside College Preparatory High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 517

Senior: Northside College Prep is an amazing school! Teachers here are good and counselors really help you prepare for college since it is a college preparatory high school. There are a lot of extracurricular activities like dance clubs and sports to join. However, we do not have a football team, but if you don't mind, it's okay! Since our school is part of the selective enrollment process in Chicago and is usually top in ranking, things can be competitive sometimes in terms of academics. However, this competitiveness can be encouraging and motivating you to do better and keep up your grades!
Read 517 Reviews

• A+

• 1,069 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 986

Senior: Whitney Young is amazing at most aspects! You learn so much here academically and about the world in general. There are plenty of opportunities to join sports and clubs that build relationships which can last a lifetime. Most of all my teachers were amazing and care about their jobs, you do get those teachers that are lazier but they not common at all at least for me. Also, they are making improvements in the athletics facilities at our school like a new track, football field, baseball/softball field which was something that was needed. Overall Whitney is a great school with some lows but some amazing highs I would recommend to any other prospective students thinking of coming here.
Read 986 Reviews

• A+

• 2,153 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jones College Prep High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 598

Senior: I am a senior at Jones College Prep, and it has been a joy to be here all 4 years of high school. Jones offers a rigorous academic environment, but also allows for students to get involved in lots of activities and interact with wonderful teachers. Situated in the south loop in downtown Chicago, there are plenty of ways to get to school with public transportation, and tons of great restaurants and activities for students to enjoy! I would reccommend it to anyone looking for a great high school experience!
Read 598 Reviews

• A+

• 1,815 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lane Tech College Prep High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 2,852

Senior: Everyones high school experience varies depending on what you make of it. Lane Tech is one of the biggest high schools in Chicago therefore they have a lot to offer. I joined a dance club, Guatemalan Club, and that has truly shaped me into a different person and changed my course in life. This club made me want to pursue dance, not necessarily as a profession but as a lifetime hobby. There are many more clubs just like the one I'm in. They all advocate for diversity. Lane Tech as a whole is very diverse. All of the teachers are helpful with helping their students learn the coursework and making sure they aren't behind; they really go the extra mile. I took so many courses I was interested in like photography and graphic design at the college level. Lane is understanding that every individual student is different and offers something for everyone. Whether it be a sport, a movie night, various music classes, etc. I truly loved my experience at Lane Tech. Go! Lane! Go!
Read 2,852 Reviews

• A+

• 4,194 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lincoln Park High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 547

Senior: I received a great education and the teachers really care! I am now senior at LP and my experience is definitely one that I am not going to forget. I participated in the music program, choir, throughout my time there and has strengthened my music capabilities in more ways than one. I would recommend going to Lincoln Park because it is great environment for someone to pursue their high school career.
Read 547 Reviews

• A

• 2,126 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 379

Senior: Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep is THE best school on the Southside of Chicago. It is a hidden gem. The school is very rigorous, but they provide support to each and every student if they need it. The teachers are wonderfully awesome and very supportive. I feel that if I needed help academically or in life, they will be there for me. The parental support is great as well. We have an awesome team of parents that is will to go above and beyond to make sure all students have great opportunities for success. I am soooo glad that I got into this school. It is 2nd to none. I feel prepared for college and beyond and it is thanks to this school!

#Ibleedblue
#eagles
Read 379 Reviews

• A

• 915 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School

• Evanston Community Consolidated School District No. 65, IL
• K-8
• 1

High School Freshman: I love the academic opportunities given, and how small the classes are!
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 361 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hawthorne Scholastic Academy

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8
• 1

Niche User: Hawthorne is the best school I love it. Nice Teachers great Resourcer Aids and more! This school is like the 5th best school. The lunch is awesome, and the park is awesome. if I were you, I would go to this school. And friends at Hawthorne are the best.


- Aminata Kamara, A 4th grade student at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 575 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Decatur Classical School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-6
• 6

Parent: The school IS aggressive in academics. But with the new principal on board, no homework for k-3rd grade all year. My kids love to go to school and have plenty of happy friends there. There is now so many afterschool programs every day...coding, engineering, cooking, drama, school choir, band, drawing, sports, novel studies, advanced math, running team... The school is so poor...no gym, (used to have no air conditioning!), no lunch room, no 7th and 8th grades...BUT it is amazing a group of teachers and staff can make it such a rich-nurturing learning environment. I bring my kids to any other schools, they go “wow!” but they love Decatur and ALL their teachers...never heard them complaining about the school. Almost all of their teachers are very dedicated and experienced. Staff are super friendly too. The assistant principal had a dance degree so now the school shows are at a new level. They even dedicated a music classroom. For a public school, it has to be an A+.
Read 6 Reviews

• A-

• 292 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Keller Regional Gifted Center

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 1-8

• A-

• 240 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

M.L. King Jr. Lab Experimental School

• Evanston Community Consolidated School District No. 65, IL
• K-8

• A-

• 576 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

STEM Magnet Academy Elementary School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8

• A-

• 460 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Edison Regional Gifted Center

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8
• 22

Middle School Student: But We are not at all diverse economics or racially. Most kids are rich and spoiled, they and teachers always talk about being gifted. When I was in the primary grades we had awesome teachers that really prepared us and thought us good habits. now primary teachers are too nice and k-3 homework is optional. Kids walking ina perfect line with a stuffed llama saying be quiet. Without those primary teachers I wouldn't be as good of a student as I am. Also we have way more technology and resources than we need, almost every class has chromebooks or ipads for each student, because of parents giving the school a crap ton of money. Most of this tech goes to waste as we could carry the computers so we didn't need as many, plus you have to have a computer at home in the older grades to do homework. But we're still a pretty amazing school because of all our awesome teachers, who are one of a kind, and again awesome.
Read 22 Reviews

• A-

• 275 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• PK, K-8
• 8

Parent: This school challenges the kids without extreme pressure. The kids learn in an interactive way. The teachers are very supportive and they teach the kids after school if they want something extra or need help. Miss Sims, the principal, and Miss Lee, principal assistant work together all the time to create an excellent environment. My son is very happy and feels welcomed.
Read 8 Reviews

• A-

• 284 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Stone Scholastic Academy

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8
• 3

Middle School Student: I believe that this elementary school is such a wonderful place to start your education. I was very well prepared to go to high school.
Read 3 Reviews

• A-

• 628 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

A. Jackson Elementary Language Academy

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8
• 1

Niche User: The teachers and parents are very involved in everything. It's a really big family.
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 561 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Eisenhower Academy

• Joliet Public School District No. 86, IL
• 1-5

• A-

• 261 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Drummond Elementary School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• PK, K-8
• 2

• B+

• 345 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

LaSalle Elementary Language Academy

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8

• B+

• 562 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Poe Elementary Classical School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-6

• B+

• 214 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Disney II Magnet School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• PK, K-6
• 1

Niche User: Disney II is a supportive environment that allowed students to get personalized learning in many subjects. The teachers encourage creativity and group work to allow students to expand socially.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• 427 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wildwood World Magnet School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-8
• 1

Alum: Great school with filled with an amazing staff that loves every student like their child. The school is small but it creates bonds between students. With a brand new addition to the school it creates more space for students to learn and have fun. The IB education concentrates on making kids think outside of the box which is needed in high school, college, and most importantly life.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• 487 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McDade Classical School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-6
• 3

Parent: My son will be going into 2nd grade at McDade. This school is the only reason we still live in the city. It's small close knit and very intentional about providing an excellent education for kids. When you have generations of parents and grandparents still heavily involved in the school, that speaks volumes. A great school is about more than high test scores, which McDade students have - it's about engaged and involved families, integrity, character, high standards and strong leadership. My son has a growing love for learning and is getting a holistic educational experience at this Chicago Public School; from academics, to learning to play the violin, to stem programs; It's truly a gem.
Read 3 Reviews

• B+

• 196 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio