2020 Best Magnet Schools in the Chicago AreaAbout this List

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

• Public School
• Aurora, IL
• 10-12
• 277 reviews

Senior: I think that, overall, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is a great school. The teachers I have had are super nice and always supportive, and are willing to help outside of the classroom. The curriculum is challenging and there are many fun student-run events! I love the opportunities that are offered here and I think that the school has really helped me grow as a person with all the hard work we have to do and also the mandatory activities outside of the classroom.
Read 277 Reviews

• A+

• 647 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Walter Payton College Prep

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 343 reviews

Parent: WPCP being a CPS Selective Enrollment School, your teen must live in Chicago.
We weren't sure we'd like the system of several classes one day, the rest the next; but they really get to dig in to a subject this way. Once every 2 weeks is "seminar day" - interesting things for the half-day, from pet shelter volunteering to judo, a local nature preserve to films.
Top-notch sci teachers, esp "Ms. Fig". 1 Lit teacher w/chip on her shoulder. Ms. Hudson is fab, for college prep/gen support; we love the comfort dog.
Sports: many choices, NO AstroTurf.
Theatre can't be beat, 2 productions/yr.
Tutoring run by members of the NHS.
8am's tough for teens, if later could = more sleep!
Read 343 Reviews

• A+

• 977 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northside College Preparatory High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 537 reviews

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 537 Reviews

• A+

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

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 1,027 reviews

Senior: I like WY for its pride in racial diversity among the students and teachers. I love the school and the entire design of it, the classrooms not being too hard to find considering how large the school itself is. Even with three buildings it is pretty simple to get around. I love that most of the students are so nice and respectful and really take initiative in their learning, it’s such a healthy environment. My only complaint is the huge chunk of teachers who do not teach at this high school and then give hard tests that everyone fails. I’ve run into at least one of these teachers every year I’ve been attending Whitney, but maybe that’s just me. Anyways, good high school overall that I definitely do not regret attending!
Read 1,027 Reviews

• A+

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

Jones College Prep High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 621 reviews

Sophomore: I loved the Jones community! Jones offered a 'Freshman Connection' program at the beginning of my freshman year, and it set me off to a great start with making friends and learning more about the school. I was very prepared and amazed by how hospitable the school was to me as well as all of its students. All classes at Jones are Honors (excluding AP), so I was worried I wouldn't do well at first. But the teachers and resources at my school helped me get high grades and skills on time management and studying. Many of the clubs offered at jones were suited to my tastes and were very welcoming! They had so many options to join, and I was glad a great majority of my schoolmates shared the same interests as me. Applying for this school is set in stone to be one of my proudest moments, because my high school experience so far has been one of a kind.
Read 621 Reviews

• A+

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

Lane Tech College Prep High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 2,937 reviews

Senior: Lane Tech has been a wild experience, to say less. It is a school with diversity that amasses teens from all over Chicago. Ethnic clubs hold a level of responsibility in continuing the flow of appreciation for diversity within the school. The culture and pride of being a Lane student are engraved within the Lane anthem itself. The rich history of Lane provides this historical significance in having been a Lane Tech student — a privilege. The teachers are amazing! They are there not just in fulfilling their roles as teachers, but they are resources for the creation of our future leaders!
Read 2,937 Reviews

• A+

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

Lincoln Park High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 568 reviews

Alum: What I liked about Lincoln Park was the diversity. Although the school is in one of the richest neighborhoods in Chicago the students were from all over the city. Academically Lincoln Park could compete with those at the top of the state, all courses at all levels are rigorous and challenging. The teachers are genuinely invested in their job and the future of their students, which is one of the most crucial aspects of whether or not a student succeeds. I've seen students who weren't interested in education at all become active learners because their teacher invests time in helping them learn. The counselors at the school do a great job at helping students get ready for college, I can vouch for this because my counselor took me from only applying to local colleges to being accepted to Howard University. The counselors see potential in students that they can't see in themselves and helps them make and reach their goals.
Read 568 Reviews

• A

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

Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School

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

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 review

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

STEM Magnet Academy Elementary School

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

Parent: We are parents with a child at this school from K-4th. Academics are great up to this point - far above avg for CPS. We have had good teachers. Teachers differentiate for kids of different abilities. There is great diversity and very few behavior issues. It is a small school without a lot of after school programs or resources. Great Math, Science and Computer Science classes in particular. Cannot comment on upper grades yet.
Read 3 Reviews

• A-

• 460 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Keller Regional Gifted Center

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 1-8

• A-

• 240 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 397 reviews

Senior: I would like to see them take better care of the inside of the school. Like getting rid of insects and paying more attention to the bathrooms. I do enjoy the fact there isn't groups within the school. Everyone supports each other and the people you least expect would become friends somehow do. There are rarely any fights and there is always a celebration to acknowledge those who are awarded for their hard work. We are given plenty of opportunities to achieve, and all tutoring is provided. We are even given the opportunity to part-take in off-campus programs/classes, mine being Genesys Works.
Read 397 Reviews

• A-

• 915 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Decatur Classical School

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

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 5 Reviews

• A-

• 292 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Edison Regional Gifted Center

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

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

Prescott Magnet Cluster School

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

• A-

• 374 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center

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

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

Eisenhower Academy

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

Alum: It was the best education of my life. The level of the curriculum and the one on one development of myself is something I continue to use as my standard. I was so advanced going into Jr high. I went on to IMSA and then to the honors program at College
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 261 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

LaSalle II Magnet Elementary School

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

Middle School Student: LaSalle II offers high school Algebra to seventh and eighth graders as a replacement to math if students score a passing grade on the entrance exam, have a passing grade in math in sixth grade, good behavior, and the sixth-grade math teacher believes the student would find the class beneficial. The school also offers a geometry class to the eighth graders that took algebra in the seventh grade at a nearby high school, Roberto Clemente High School, where students get dropped off at the high school at regular school starting time (7:45) and walk back to the school after the period is over to continue classes at LaSalle II.
The teachers at the school show their passion for teaching with their efforts to ensure all students have a well understanding of what they are learning. The parents are extremely involved in the school making it a great community with wonderful people.
Read 2 Reviews

• A-

• 589 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Stone Scholastic Academy

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

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

M.L. King Jr. Lab Experimental School

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

• A-

• 576 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oscar Mayer Magnet School

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

• A-

• 719 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wildwood World Magnet School

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

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

• A-

• 487 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Taft High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 7-12
• 546 reviews

Senior: As a student that takes more challenging classes such as IB, AP, and Dual-Credit, the academics are rather well organized and the teachers are usually great. As a high school, different levels of classes and amount of participation in the school will result in different experiences. I also participate in sports and clubs and have had a great time in each activity. Homecoming and other school events are really fun!
Read 546 Reviews

• A-

• 3,268 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Von Steuben Metro Science High School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• 9-12
• 611 reviews

Senior: Throughout my high school career at Von Steuben, I have had a good experience. I have been open to many opportunities since my freshman year. Every year, alumni are encouraged to join clubs, sports teams, programs and are informed about colleges since the beginning. I remember in the summer of entering my freshman year, I had taken part at Von's Freshman Connection in which the school basically provides a 2 week preparation for incoming freshman. At the end of the 2 weeks, there is a college trip to be able to experience first hand what it feels like to be at a college campus. Von also offers many AP courses for all students who are willing to take on a challenge. There are some incentives, such as free campus lunches, homework passes, parking spots for students and staff. Von is a really diverse school as well and makes any and everyone feel welcome.
Read 611 Reviews

• A-

• 1,735 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Poe Elementary Classical School

• Chicago Public Schools, IL
• K-6

• A-

• 214 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio