2023 Best Schools in McLean County

• Isu Laboratory Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  205 reviews

Senior: University High School has allowed me to be the person I have always wanted to be. I previously attended a junior high with no diversity and being at U-High everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Not only that but I have never felt more prepared for college. I get so many different hands on experiences with learning, different teaching styles, and more! As a freshman it can feel overwhelming attending a new school where you don't know anyone. With as many extracurriculars as U-High has it's incredibly easy to make friends. U-High is constantly sending out surveys about how they can better your high school experience or diversify it. I have never felt more welcomed and my voice is finally being heard. A big thank you to U-High for everything they have done for me.... Read 205 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 607

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Isu Laboratory Schools, IL•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: there are mice in the walls and there are water snakes in the toilet once i found a nest of mice and baby mice in the toilet stalls and the boys always try to hit on me cause i look so beautiful. Anyway since i am amazing my teachers give me amazing grades no matter what i do. I would love this school if there were not any mice.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 390

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tri-Valley Community Unit School District No. 3, IL•

• PK, K-3

• grade A

• Students 340

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tri-Valley Community Unit School District No. 3, IL•

• 4-8

• grade A

• Students 434

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  398 reviews

Junior: Normal Community is well rounded and diverse school. Normal Community High School is a public high school located in Normal, Illinois that was founded in 1905. NCHS serves parts of Normal, Bloomington, and Towanda and is home to over 2,000 students with 150 faculty and staff Normal Community High School was originally founded in 1905. The original NCHS was built in 1927. It had 14 classrooms, a gymnasium, library, and administrative offices. Average enrollment was 350. In 1954, NCHS had grown to the point where additional classrooms and facilities were needed. This need resulted in two additions, one at the north end housing a cafeteria and music and speech classrooms, and one at the south end housing a new gymnasium (Arends), physics lab, agriculture lab, metals lab, woodworking lab and electronics lab.n fall 2003 NCHS officially opened at its new location on Raab Road. This marked the beginning of the first school year at Normal Community's new location.... Read 398 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,135

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 592

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 178

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tri-Valley Community Unit School District No. 3, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  42 reviews

Senior: I transferred to Tri-Valley as a sophomore so, going in I thought it would be very hard to start over. But, thanks to so many nice students, teachers, and staff, it was such an easy transition that I am so happy I ended up making. I tell myself all the time that I wish I could've gotten to be at this school longer than I got to be. Tri-Valley has prepared me with the skills that I will need going into college and the workforce that will allow me to succeed. If it hadn't been for some of these teachers that taught me so much, I would not be the person I am today.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 342

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 460

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Downs, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  28 reviews

Alum: I was very grateful for Cornerstone's high caliber education, the unique opportunities and hands-on learning experiences. I believe that the knowledge and skill sets I gained at Cornerstone will benefit my future in college and beyond. My only disappointment was the lack of art and music classes. I would have appreciated a wider variety of classes relating to the fine arts, in order to broaden my skills and allow me a more well rounded high school career. Otherwise, my education at Cornerstone exceeded my wishes above and beyond.... Read 28 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 427

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Bloomington, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  62 reviews

Senior: I had a great time attending this school! The teachers are very willing to help their students, and all of the staff are very kind. The student life seems to be quite cliquey, but that probably just depends on the class each year. The sports play a huge factor in student life, while clubs and activities people still participate in, but not as many as sports. My classes challenged and prepared me for my further education!... Read 62 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 298

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Prairieland is amazing all around!!! They truly care about the kids. It is not just a job. They do anything in their power to get the children ready for the next chapter in their lives. The teachers spend any extra time needed. I would not want to leave my kids anywhere else all day! I have been super impressed!... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 410

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: Great programs and faculty to care for special needs students. Additionally, our Freshman Mentoring Program is largely unique to our school, allowing upperclassmen to befriend and support first-year students. Considered less wealthy than the East Side, but also much less crowded and potentially less cliquey. Good mix of college level (AP and duel credit) courses for students seeking a challenge and also extra support for those who may need it. However, grading is transitioning to standards-based for most classes (district wide) which I am not a fan of. Glad I am getting out before all classes switch over!... Read 309 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,719

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Bloomington School District No. 87, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  159 reviews

Alum: Speaking as an AP/honors student, I would give BHS a 4 star rating. I give them this based on the facilities, teachers, and administration. The facilities would be given the highest rating. It is clean, neat, and constantly upgraded at BHS. The custodial staff does an amazing job picking up after the students, and if there's a problem, they are quick to fix it. The teachers are very 50/50. You either get the most amazing teacher you've ever had, or a teacher that makes you want to quit school altogether. This of course isn't BHS's fault, but the bad apple teachers are not reprimanded or told to review how they teach and approach students. Finally the administration. The administration has fallen short over the past few years, and it is apparent about playing favorites in the school (this coming from one of the favorites and top scholars). Overall, I enjoyed my time at BHS, since I mainly stayed in the academic and athletic circles. Could improve, but what school can't?... Read 159 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,528

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 329

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 111

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 261

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Prairie Central Community Unit School District No. 8, IL•

• PK, K-1

• grade B+

• Students 218

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lexington Community Unit School District No. 7, IL•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 224

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Bloomington School District No. 87, IL•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 352

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lexington Community Unit School District No. 7, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  7 reviews

Senior: It’s truly amazing. Everyone is wonderful there. Everyone makes you feel so welcome and safe. The school it’s self is comforting and so are the teacher, admin and staff.... Read 7 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 145

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: Chiddix Jr. High is a very satisfactory school. As a student, I have to face the schools' teachers, activities, clubs, food, other students, and etc. The 70% of the students are good students. They, but they possess leadership qualities and do good in school. Though I have seen bullying at Chiddix before, but it was always controlled. Chiddix is nationally recognized for its academic achievements. With clubs like Math counts and Team quest, our students get involved and challenge themselves into a world of math, and engineering. But Chiddix is in a financial crisis right now, so as a member of Math Counts, I see how the lack of money affects the things we do in them and the"recourses' we have in them. I also have to face teachers. BUT 10% of the teachers are racist, have favorites, and just are mean/boring. Some don't even don't know how to teach! It's outrageous. But overall, If Chiddix actually tried, it could be a great school.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 646

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My daughter has wonderful teachers. Hey all care about the students succeeding and learning. We've had such good luck with teachers for my children at Kingsley.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 842

• Student-teacher ratio —

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Parkside elementary is a very wonderful school. Parkside elementary has helped my son in many ways I am glad for all of the support the teachers and office staff have given him.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 257

• Student-teacher ratio —