2024 Best Schools in Lake County

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  83 reviews

Parent: Our son completed his freshman year and is now a sophomore. LFA is a nice balance of day students and boarders with a strong array of academics, sports, arts and music, clubs and activities. As a freshman, our son went on a service trip to Guatemala. He is looking forward to another service trip this upcoming year. One of the things which distinguishes the school is that the faculty and school are an integral part of the community; different then the "town and gown" challenges that other schools confront. We are pleased with the support, the opportunities and the education, he is receiving.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 436

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  1,251 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 1,251 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,392

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: Our parental expectations of this school have been exceeded time and time again. From the new leadership, to the faculty, to the support staff - all employees have been extremely professional and very competent. The beautiful campus provides our daughter a wonderful learning environment. The education is deep and challenging but the girls are supported so they rise to the level of the intellectual rigor. The school is small and students are coming from all corners of the city, country and planet so the friendships are very unique but meaningful - No pre-formed cliques! The Sacred Heart network cast a wide web internationally so the connections are broad. This educational experience is robust.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Community High School District 128, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  386 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 386 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,527

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  501 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 501 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,834

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Township High School District No. 113, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  315 reviews

Senior: One of my greatest high school experiences was being a member of the varsity basketball team. From the start, I was impressed by the level of talent and dedication of my teammates. We all shared a passion for basketball and a desire to succeed, and we worked hard to improve our skills and prepare for games. Our coaches were also a vital part of our team, pushing us to be our best and encouraging us never to give up. As the season progressed, we faced a variety of challenges, from tough opponents to injuries and setbacks. But through it all, we remained united and supported each other. Whether we were winning or losing, we always gave our all and tried our hardest. Overall, being a varsity basketball team member was a truly rewarding and memorable experience. It allowed me to make lasting friendships, push myself to be my best, and represent my school with pride. I will always look back on winning Conference but will never forget my time on the team with great fondness and gratitude.... Read 315 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,492

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  175 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 175 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,467

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Township High School District No. 113, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  280 reviews

Senior: Highland Park High School is inclusive for all students and the value of learning and academics HPHS holds is incomparable. Recently, the lunch room and library were updated to provide an inclusive environment for all grade levels, races, and genders. Additionally, HPHS has added several conveniently located all-gender bathrooms and locker rooms that have improved the comfort of students. HPHS shows their care for students' health and well-being by offering nutritious (and delicious) school lunches and snacks, as well as new and affordable EKG screenings for students to take part in during their physical education classes. I have received the best support and learning experience from my teachers at HPHS. If I need extra help in class, with post-secondary planning, or with outside troubles, I receive it from my teachers and counselors. As a senior at HPHS, I can confidently say that HPHS strives to give students an unforgettable education and experience that I will forever cherish.... Read 280 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,806

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Bannockburn, IL•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Fantastic school. The administration does a fabulous job with cultivating an inclusive community. Teachers are kind and incredibly responsive when there are questions. There is no school in the area that can top this K-8 experience. We truly hit the jackpot, and are grateful every day.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 153

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

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

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Roslyn is an excellent school with excellent teachers! I used to go there but now I’m in middle school, but my sister still goes there and also says it’s amazing... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 448

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: My 3 children received a phenomenal education at Rondout! It's a K-8 School with an amazing staff and community. The student to teacher ratio allows for truly differentiated and individualized instruction for all students. The school has a strong community and family feel. Each child is treated as an individual and has his or her own learning plan. My children are doing great things at Libertyville High School because they received such a strong foundation at Rondout. The small classes really help the kids socially and the typical pressures of middle school are absent at Rondout . I can't recommend it enough!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 137

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Community High School District 128, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  515 reviews

Senior: I joined Librtyville High School in the middle of my freshman year after spending three years living abroad. The teachers in my school are connected to their students and allow space for questions. Right away I felt valued as a student. However, my experience was tainted by groups of students. Before I found my teams and made connections through my sport, I was overlooked and forgotten by people who I once knew. I would like to see a program designed to include everyone on a regular basis. I would like to start a portal where students can confidentially share their views with administrators. I feel that this type of support system for new students would be beneficial and heartwarming. My best experiences at High School have taken three long years to come to the surface. I am eternally grateful for my teams, without them, I would still be a lost freshman.... Read 515 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,832

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Libertyville, IL•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Middle School Student: It’s way above average because of many things for different reasons and of all the activities and support given!!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 913

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Grayslake Community High School District No. 127, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  416 reviews

Senior: For many people, including myself, Grayslake Central High School is an incredible high school. Though our school only has about 1,300 students, our pride is that of 10,000. Myself and my peers have been blessed with a multitude of opportunities here including planning local parades, being published in news articles, being sponsored to compete in state and national competitions, and much more. GCHS continues to set the bar higher and higher every single year whether it be school spirit, being inclusive of minorities and cultures from around the world, or the safety of our students. In addition to that, Grayslake Central makes sure all students feel welcome by sponsoring clubs for just about everything, and even letting students create their own! I can confidently say that I have never felt more welcomed and a part of my local community than I have through my experience at Grayslake Central High School.... Read 416 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,378

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Gurnee, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  990 reviews

Junior: All the teachers are amazing. For the honors and AP courses I feel that they have a good amount of work without being overwhelming. The student community could use work on getting along with each other better and I feel the school should work harder with making the students work together more and work more as a team. I believe the school needs to work quite a bit more on how they deal with mental health issues. Sometimes it seems that if you don’t directly go ask for help you will easily get overlooked. Overall this school is a great place to go to!... Read 990 reviews

• grade A

• Students 3,829

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Mundelein, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  433 reviews

Parent: We love the family atmosphere of Carmel Catholic and the enthusiasm that the teachers, administration and staff bring to the school every day. The students are challenged academically, athletically and socially. We love CCHS!... Read 433 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,096

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Lake Zurich Community Unit School District No. 95, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  399 reviews

Junior: Lake Zurich High School is located in the heart of Lake Zurich, Illinois, it is a large, comprehensive high school with a diverse student body and a strong sense of community. As a student of LZHS, I can attest to the fact that the school offers an exceptional education, with a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities. The teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, and they strive to make each lesson engaging and relevant to students' lives. LZHS offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and fine arts programs. The sports teams are highly competitive, with a strong tradition of excellence in football, basketball, and wrestling, among other sports. Overall, LZHS is a wonderful place to learn and grow. The school provides students with the tools they need to succeed, both academically and personally, and the community is supportive and inclusive.... Read 399 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,788

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lake Bluff Elementary School District No. 65, IL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Freshman: Best middle school experience! Teachers and staff were amazing! I’ll never forget my memories there :)... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 315

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

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

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 432

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District No. 96, IL•

• 1-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Prairie Elementary School is overall a great elementary school! Had a great time here. Most of the teachers are highly dedicated and really care about their students. The only con is that the school lunch is a bit expensive, but that's okay.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District No. 103, IL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  8 reviews

Middle School Student: I like the diversity and the culture at the school. There are many opportunities and privileges that not many other schools have. The teachers are very kind and supportive; generally they are very open and free.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 734

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District No. 103, IL•

• 3-5

• grade A

• Students 598

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District No. 96, IL•

• 1-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Ivy Hall Elementary School is overall a great elementary school! Excellent, highly-skilled teachers! Most of the teachers are very dedicated and really care about their students.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 446

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Community High School District No. 117, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  407 reviews

Alum: Lakes Community High School was my home for four years and I unfortunately was cursed with having my entire sophomore year online due to Covid-19. I was terrified to go back to school, worried I would catch this virus, nervous about what guidelines the school took. Lakes made it a priority to follow the required guidelines to make sure every student felt safe in the building. I always felt safe walking into school even when Covid wasn’t around. Every day you walk through the doors, you are welcomed with a warm smile and a “have a great day”. I am very grateful to be apart of such a strong community and can’t wait to see what they do with the school in the future! I am definitely proud to say that I am prepped and ready for my future because of how much Lakes helped me. The school allowed me to take classes I was interested in and classes that would help me in life. Due to the class I took I am now ready for life outside of high school. I can’t thank Lakes Community high school enough.... Read 407 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,336

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District No. 96, IL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  7 reviews

Middle School Student: The school’s curricular is amazing. They teach ahead of the schools years and there sports are amazing. Woodlawn has its own track and field, which is one of they only schools with one in its area. Woodlawn middle school has a lot of different activities that anybody is able to join. The only thing that is not amazing is there teachers. Most of Woodlawns teachers are super nice and care about you, but there are definitely some that are rude, and don’t know how to teach.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 674

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1