2022 Best Public High Schools in Illinois

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  403 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 403 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,220

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  594 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 594 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,078

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Aurora, IL•

• Public School•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  344 reviews

Senior: I truly enjoy the community and culture at IMSA. Students are like-minded and academically driven toward higher education and accomplishments. Staff and teachers are very knowledgeable and helpful, willing to go the extra mile for all students. If I could change anything about IMSA it would be to improve better inclusion of teacher preparation for student extended so that academic workload is better balanced. Additionally, I would like to make certain social programs optional as they can interfere with vital study time.... Read 344 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 631

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  1,234 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 1,234 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,271

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  1,139 reviews

Sophomore: WY is heavily involved in student life. Either offering or creating offers to accommodate all. A primary example is student sports. However, some sports receive more support than others. But, even when toggling busy sports, many students take college course of any field early on. Their ambition, initiative, and flexibility always shine through and inspire peers. However, some students struggle understanding one another's differences. They try, but it often leads to lengthy, passive (but non-threatening) debates, even transpiring in class. However, teachers always handle the situation with prompt, admirable care, keeping our safety in mind! Their lessons never suffer as a result, either. Although each teacher's teaching styles are often easy to follow along, if not, they always try to help! Perhaps parents seldom involve themselves in school matters because of the quality of the teachers! Administrators are also helpful but only when asked. Overall, I enjoy my time here!... Read 1,139 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,198

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  712 reviews

Senior: My experience at Jones was wonderful! Every teacher I had was passionate about their subject and advocated for their students. They did a great job at navigating what high school looks like during a pandemic. If I could go back in time and re-choose where to attend high school, I would still choose Jones in a heartbeat.... Read 712 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,968

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  445 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 445 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,040

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  376 reviews

Alum: My experience prepared me well for college and provided a number of opportunities for academic competition. I especially enjoyed participating on the Math Team and Scholastic Bowl team. Competition between students was intense, but it never interfered with our relationships. I formed some lasting friendships. The teachers were of high caliber. They cared about our success and challenged us. Some of the toughest classes were also some of the most enjoyable because of the quality instruction. One area for improvement would be better integration with the program for the hearing-impaired. A few deaf students attended normal classes with the help of a sign-language interpreter, but it would have been beneficial for all if a higher number of deaf students were incorporated into the mainstream curriculum. An initial sign-language class for all freshmen could have gone a long way to building relationships between the otherwise very segregated hearing and hearing-impaired students.... Read 376 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,682

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

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

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  560 reviews

Alum: This is a top-tier high school in the Northern Chicagoland area. The facilities are up to date, with enthusiastic teachers and a well-throughout curriculum. Since I graduated, they have expanded the campus, added programs, and diversified the topics covered. It's located in a beautiful and safe neighborhood, but with not much else besides trees and houses. However, your family does need to have money, not for the school but simply to live in the area. The sports teams are top-notch, though I was never a part of them. Overall, if you pay attention, do your work, and engage with some clubs and peers, you will be set for college and beyond.... Read 560 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,034

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  526 reviews

Junior: I just finished my third year at GBS and I am very sad knowing next year is my last one. Our school spirit is unmatched and the school has endless resources to help students. One source is the TLC, (Titan Learning Center), where students can go before, during, and/or after school for free tutoring help. GBS's elective options are outstanding and having the power to take and learn about something you are passionate in is amazing. We do have fights around the school, but we also have security guards and parapros who reach them and disband them in minutes. I love GBS and wouldn't go anywhere else; if you are looking to transfer here or send your child here-- this is your sign! GBS is not perfect and I haven't had a 'perfect' time there (not referring to covid), but at the end of the day the school itself is amazing. There are going to be kids and teachers you 'have problems with' everywhere, but I rather 'have problems with' people at GBS than another school.... Read 526 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,123

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Community High School District 128, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  367 reviews

Senior: My experience at Vernon Hills High School has been wonderful! I have grown to enjoy my academic studies, have had the ability to join clubs and athletics, and had the chance to grow amazing connections with teachers that I am able to call my role models. The hands-on environment from the community grants superb opportunities that most schools do not support. I also love that I was able to know most of my classmates due to the number of people who also attend Vernon Hills High School. It allows me to create more friendships and connections with unforgettable people. My time at VHHS has been great, and I learned important life lessons from all aspects of high school!... Read 367 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,482

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  1,110 reviews

Senior: I loved my time at Neuqua, because for the most part, I had excellent teachers who were excited and knowledgeable about the material they were teaching; if I ever struggled with classroom material, it was easy to meet with teachers in the morning before school and clarify. Most of my teachers were approachable and committed to their classes, and if you take AP classes, the AP teachers are excellent at challenging and supporting you when teaching the material and when reviewing for AP Exams. Neuqua is also a large school, with about 4,000 total students, so it is easy to meet a lot of new friends even if you move in to the district like I did. There are countless extracurricular opportunities, and lots of sports available as well. Overall, even though Neuqua made me work really hard, it was all in preparation for college. I will never forget my experience!... Read 1,110 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,477

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  169 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 169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,537

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Township High School District No. 211, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  621 reviews

Senior: I love Fremd high school, it is like a second home to me. This school does so much for its students, both in academics and extracurriculars. The course options are incredible with unique classes like fashion design and bioengineering, and there are so many clubs and sports to be a part of! From theatre to bowling to photography to coding, there are so many extracurriculars to choose from. The teachers are all very nice, I've personally had VERY few negative experiences with teachers. Everyone seems to look out for each other at Fremd, and there is plenty of kindness to go around. The atmosphere is positive and uplifting, and this allows students to get so much work done! I can confidently say that this school has made me brighter, it has helped me develop my skills, and it has made me much more confident in myself as not only a student, but as a person.... Read 621 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,599

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Urbana, IL•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  174 reviews

Junior: Overall, I’ve had a really good experience at Uni! Academics are mostly really good. I’ve had some less than stellar teachers—many of whom are knowledgeable in their subject areas, but struggle teaching them at a beginner level—but others have been incredible. The workload‘s tough, but manageable if you’re not overloaded with extracurriculars. There’s a diversity of personalities in the student body, but kids are generally passionate and motivated, and mostly very friendly. There’s some competition in academics and extracurriculars (especially related to college apps), and also somewhat of a culture of cynicism and negativity. Still, I’ve met some amazing people, and I wouldn’t swap my experience for a more typical high school one. I’d say the biggest advantage of Uni is the breadth of opportunities offered by our connection with the U of I, from enrolling in college classes to working with professors to attending undergrad events to grabbing boba on Green St. during free period.... Read 174 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 306

• Student-teacher ratio 306:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  3,141 reviews

Senior: Lane Tech is an amazing school where the students are diverse and the resources are numerous. Students have access to well-qualified teachers and aid. Lane Tech excels in all areas: the sports teams dominate their fields, there are over 100 student-led clubs, our theater productions and choirs are superb. This list can continue endlessly because Lane Tech stops at nothing to succeed and provide its students with as many resources and opportunities as possible. The only problem with Lane Tech is that its students do not always feel heard, thus this year alone Lane Tech has started numerous committees dedicated to voicing the opinions of the student body and bringing problems directly to the administration. I would highly recommend this school to anyone because it serves everyone. My biggest piece of advice is to network and not to prohibit yourself from branching out. Instead, put yourself out there! There will always be a group willing to accept you with open and loving arms.... Read 3,141 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,500

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Township High School District No. 113, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: I honestly love the school, great teachers, amazing University level resources, great athletics, etc. However, there's a huge huge lack of diversity, and many of the students are truly bent on this idea of perfection and care more for academics than their own mental health. It's honestly a blessing and a curse because it shows how competitive students are, but also shows how much students hold down not only themselves but their peers as well when performance is not up to par with their standards.... Read 309 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,588

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Township High School District No. 113, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  272 reviews

Alum: Highland Park High School offers a great academic environment. Students have the opportunity to learn more than science and math but also get involved with fine arts. I had some of the greatest teachers with who I still am in contact with today. They also offer an abundant amount of clubs and sports from participating in service throughout the community to learning new things like dance or sign language. Overall, you can always find something to do with your time at Highland Park academically and socially. However, the school is located in a wealth suburb so the scene makes it hard for some students to adjust but the school is big enough that you will find your people.... Read 272 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,879

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Glenbard Township High School District No. 87, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  355 reviews

Parent: My children are currently the third generation to attend Glenbard West High School. This is not unusual, because families move to and stay in the community for the school. It is an amazing school with top notch and caring teachers, a dedicated administration and a high maintenance parent community. They continually exceed expectations and when they don't, the school addresses concerns to improve. When graduates attend college, they often reference that they were well prepared and were able to thrive in their higher education environment. The school works hard to be an environment that is welcoming to everyone!... Read 355 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,360

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  678 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 678 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,917

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Township High School District No. 211, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  541 reviews

Alum: I really liked the environment of Conant. I always felt very included and involved. However the general culture of Conant could be toxic. Sometimes the faculty and administration disregarded student needs in order to make the school look better. I wish this would change. Some teachers would also, very obviously, show favoritism which would get annoying. Overall Conant offered a very good academic environment. Conant also always had something for everyone, whether it was a club or a sport, Conant had it or had the capacity to create it.... Read 541 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,355

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  588 reviews

Junior: As a junior who has been at Naperville Central for all three years of my learning career, I am excited to continue my senior year here! Naperville Central is a highly academic-focused high school with many course opportunities. Central offers honors, dual credit, and AP level classes to challenge students to reach their full academic potential. Teachers truly care about your education, as they frequently check in with your progress. Not to mention, Naperville Central has a variety of clubs so everyone can get involved in activities/hobbies that they enjoy. I truly feel a sense of community here, as Central has a built-in period called SOAR to focus on a student's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. My favorite part about Central is how diverse it is. The curriculum in each class makes sure to go over how different aspects of our society affect every culture. Regular field trips allow students to experience different cultures.... Read 588 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,677

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  525 reviews

Senior: Many clubs and sports opportunities are available. That's great! Needs more enthusiastic teachers! More interaction with various subjects other than studies is helpful and needed. Also would appreciate quick email response from teachers. If students are expected to submit their assignments on time then teachers are also expected to reply to email in given time. Parents teacher conferences are totally unnecessary and not useful. parents should approach teachers if they are concern about their students in any way. Conferences are held for 3 minutes to each students. Not at all enough time and it just ends up in sentence that email me if you have further questions! Frankly school time should be reduced for seniors. Mostly teachers teach twice in a week and rest of the days they tell us to work on our own and finish any other home work or assignments for different subjects. Food definitely needs lots of improvements. It need vegetarian variety and more options and better quality.... Read 525 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,700

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Evanston Township High School District No. 202, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  696 reviews

Junior: ETHS gives a lot of opportunities to help you explore not only your intrests and passions, but also your curiosities. They offer many opportunities for AP classes as well as almost any elective you can think of from drawing , engineering, metal sculpture and so much more! There are also many opportunities to join new clubs or sports, and if you can't find a club you can make one. ETHS gives opportunities that mostly only college would.... Read 696 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,602

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Community High School District 128, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  497 reviews

Junior: I love Libertyville High School! There are so many different classes and clubs available so that you can focus on your interests, and there are multitudinous resources available before, during, and after school. The teachers are always offering help to all their students and are willing to meet with them if they have questions. There's a lot of school spirit and fun events-they even rent out huge areas in Chicago (ex/the botanical gardens, Navy Pier, etc) for their prom!... Read 497 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,805

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1