2019 Best Public High Schools in McHenry CountyAbout this List

Prairie Ridge High School

• Community High School District No. 155, IL
• 9-12
• 298

Senior: PR is such a wonderful school with an incredible sense of community. Everyone supports each other despite differences in certain clubs/sports. The football players respect the marching band, the soccer team comes out to the musical and vise versa, the arts support our academic teams. Everyone is welcoming and accepting to the multitude of students we have at our school. We also have the best student services office! The counselors, secretaries and college career advisors are the best resources for students and are incredibly helpful. PR embraces community between different groups, as well as between students and teachers.
Read 298 Reviews

• A

• 1,480 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cary-Grove Community High School

• Community High School District No. 155, IL
• 9-12
• 330

Senior: Students and staff are very accepting and kind. Teachers, staff, counselors, the nurse, the administration all go out of their way to support students. I have been able to take challenging AND fun classes as well as be involved in a variety of activities in which I am interested! When I wanted to create the new art club, staff volunteered right away to make sure it could happen!
Read 330 Reviews

• A

• 1,787 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Richmond-Burton High School

• Public School
• Richmond, IL
• 9-12
• 179

Senior: As a senior, I can say that I am happy to have attended RB. Overall, I had a good experience due to the dedication for student success. All of my teachers want their students to succeed and many will even stay after school to help students with their college search/ admission processes. Education is valued highly and most of the students are good-natured. Even though there are not many options for sports/ extracurriculars, we have a lot of pride in everything we do. All this being said, there is also a strong element of disfunction amongst a certain group of staff members. We have some teachers and administrator that will try to intimidate students and some that are a little too close with the kids. One administrator has served jail time but is protected under union laws and cannot be fired. The student body is not very diverse, either. Overall, however, the school is a great place for students to grow and learn!
Read 179 Reviews

• A

• 711 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Huntley High School

• Huntley Community School District No 158, IL
• 9-12
• 477

Alum: I went to Huntley High school and graduated in 2017. I had a lot of fun and connected with not only students but teachers as well. I think they can improve on some minor details, like the problem with IDs and faculty connecting with the students. Overall the school is very active and if youre looking for a school to get you ready for college, this is the school for you!
Read 477 Reviews

• A

• 2,863 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Crystal Lake Central High School

• Community High School District No. 155, IL
• 9-12
• 203

Junior: Here at Crystal Lake Central all the teachers and students constantly support each other! I am honored to be apart of this supporting community and also so grateful for all of the opportunities I have to get involved in all clubs and activities such as; Student Council, Legacy Club, Newspaper team, Senior mentors, NHS, Tiger Buddies and Business Leadership team.
Read 203 Reviews

• A-

• 1,540 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodstock High School

• Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200, IL
• 9-12
• 146

High School Senior: I honestly appreciate this school. Having all the traditions here make it so much more exciting! I believe I'm going to miss it so much; going there for four years with the same great teachers then graduating. When the seniors my freshman year said high school goes by fast, they were right. There are many flash bulb memories that stick out to me: homecoming, football games, basketball games, volleyball, softball, prom, and all the emotions attached. High school has taught myself many lessons although the one that stands prompt to me is to always make the best out of every situation because it will only help you out the next day.
Read 146 Reviews

• A-

• 985 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Crystal Lake South High School

• Community High School District No. 155, IL
• 9-12
• 329

Senior: Crystal Lake South is nothing short of a community. The welcoming atmosphere provides comfortable learning conditions and a sense of belonging. Each staff member and all of the administration aim to keep the environment as safe and as efficient as possible, leaving no student behind. There are several clubs, sports and activities to get involved in at CLS, so you'll always have something that's tailored to your interests! Also, each activity has several leadership positions and roles you can take advantage of as well. Overall, Crystal Lake South develops well-rounded students, and I'm very thankful to have been apart of the CLS student body. For the past four years, I have had a huge support system underneath me, and I'm eternally grateful for that. I appreciate the memories, experiences and learning opportunities I've had over the years, as well as the interactions I've had with teachers, and my fellow students.
Read 329 Reviews

• A-

• 1,686 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Marengo High School

• Public School
• Marengo, IL
• 9-12
• 171

Sophomore: Marengo High School is a very well known school throughout the county. I love Marengo High School because their programs are very wonderful. For example, their Spanish classes are very helpful. I am a Hispanic student and the Spanish classes have been able to help me improve and learn more about the Hispanic culture. Many of the students here get along and every ethnicity is accepted. There has been no reports in bullying and everyone gets along very well. This high school pushes everyone to do their very best and has many college visits come so we can start looking around for collages. There are many clubs to join and they are all hands on learning. We bond as a team, a group and we gather our school together. Our teachers are amazing and love their jobs profoundly. Overall this school is full of opportunities,
Read 171 Reviews

• B+

• 758 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McHenry High School - West Campus

• McHenry Community High School District No. 156, IL
• 9-12
• 240

Senior: McHenry High School - West Campus has shaped me into the scholar I am today. The counselors gradually prepare you for college, they don't overwhelm you the moment you walk in the door nor do they leave you feeling unprepared the day you walk out of the door. The teachers are always there for you when you need help and advertise their availability for tutoring, some even offering to meet you for coffee after school. There is a wide variety of clubs and activities, but there is a handful that are more well known than others. As for athletics, football is obviously favored over any other sport, boys basketball in a close second. The football team receives new equipment every year, while the tennis team has rackets that are years old and the track team has stained uniforms and wobbly starting blocks. The diversity in the school isn't great, but I believe that is based off of where the school is located and it can't do much about it, though they do promote a no discrimination policy.
Read 240 Reviews

• B+

• 1,434 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodstock North High School

• Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200, IL
• 9-12
• 137

Senior: North is a wonderful high school in the Midwest. In 2018, North celebrated it's 10th year since opening. The facility is nice and clean, the campus is of the smaller variety, but it fits in well with our small town. The administration has been nothing but helpful in times of need. Sometimes, there is a lack in communication, but in recent years this gap has been steadily filled - not to mention the staff is good about answering questions. The teachers are friendly and work hard to engage students. Extra-curriculars are plentiful and inclusive.
Read 137 Reviews

• B

• 886 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McHenry High School - East Campus

• McHenry Community High School District No. 156, IL
• 9-12
• 212

Senior: One aspect of McHenry East Campus that I've always held dear in my experience is how caring some of the teachers are, and how easy they are to grow attached to. The educators I've personally had have been very personable and relatable. They know their craft well, and are able to explain it in ways that are reachable to multiple types of students. Even when a student isn't very committed to their studies, many teachers still treat them with hope and with belief in them. As for the facilities, they are clean and easily accessible for everyone. The individuals in security are well liked by most of the student body, and are very nice to chat with on a day-to-day basis. The faculty in the main office are warm and welcoming, as are the school counselors in the counseling office. The theatre program is vibrant and filled with talent, as is the rest of the art department. This school is unique in its personality and fantastic faculty that overall allows for a blossoming learning environment.
Read 212 Reviews

• B

• 839 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alden-Hebron High School

• Alden Hebron School District No. 19, IL
• 9-12
• 3

Senior: Alden Hebron High School is a wonderful school. All of the staff strives to get to know each student and do what it takes to make them succeed. Going to a smaller school gives the students an advantage to work individually with teachers and get extra help they need. The Academic Adviser works to prepare all students for college and help them get to where they want to go. I feel important and cared about at AHHS.
Read 3 Reviews

• B-

• 110 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Johnsburg High School

• Johnsburg Community Unit School District No. 12, IL
• 9-12
• 133

Senior: Johnsburg is a small town in Northern Illinois. We are all about community and rally around each other. There is a real sense of family within the school system. It is a great place to grow up!
Read 133 Reviews

• B-

• 670 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Harvard High School

• Harvard Community Unit School District No. 50, IL
• 9-12
• 53

Alum: Harvard High School was an interesting school to attend. There were many pros and cons. The teachers were great, but they were always leaving due to lack of higher pay. Everything about the school was average. Overall, a decent place to attend.
Read 53 Reviews

• B-

• 671 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Clay Academy

• Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200, IL
• 2-12

• NG

• 70 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

SEDOM Center

• Public School
• Woodstock, IL
• 4-12

• NG

• 63 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio