2019 Best Schools in McLean CountyAbout this List

University High School

• Public School
• Normal, IL
• 9-12
• 173

Senior: Universty High School was an amazing high school experience! U-High offers a wide variety of classes, activities, and clubs. For example, I am currently involved with Orchesis (a dance class and a extracurricular), Art Club, and Creative Writing Club. U-High is a great opportunity for college readiness because of the academic level of classes, the freedom of open campus, and much more. The U-High community also has showed me how important it is to help others around you. The staff is constantly taught how to act in many different scenarios that could occur in a school building (school shooter, heart attacks, etc.). Even though nothing dangerous has happened before, the U-High community is always ready. I absolutely love U-High and I would recommend it to all students.
Read 173 Reviews

• A+

• 610 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Metcalf School

• Public School
• Normal, IL
• PK, K-8

• A+

• 430 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Normal Community High School

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL
• 9-12
• 324

Senior: Normal Community High School is a place for everyone! Not only are academics and sports a priority, the faculty does a great job of making sure drama, music, technology, and other clubs are supported as well. No matter what your interests are, you will be able to find an activity you enjoy. Most teachers are extremely easy to work with, and they want to see you succeed, especially as you graduate and head off to college. There is zero tolerance for bullying and any type of discrimination. All Normal Community students have a strong sense of pride in the school.
Read 324 Reviews

• A

• 2,052 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Central Catholic High School

• Private School
• Bloomington, IL
• 9-12
• 49

Parent: This school puts the student at the center of a faith based development of the entire person. The teachers have a unified approach that they are 1) preparing the student for college and 2) preparing the student for heaven. That may seem very different than some schools I am familiar with in the community, however as a parent, what better approach can there be!
Read 49 Reviews

• A

• 320 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cornerstone Christian Academy of McLean County

• Private School
• DOWNS, IL
• PK, K-12
• 19

Alum: I attended Cornerstone from preschool to senior year. While like all other schools it has its ups and downs, I believe what makes it unique is the amount of hard work the teachers put in to help students thrive. The amount of time teachers are willing to put in to make sure students are understanding content and are doing well physically and mentally is something you don’t see from many other schools.
Read 19 Reviews

• A-

• 427 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Tri-Valley Elementary School

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

• A-

• 289 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Tri-Valley Middle School

• Tri-Valley Community Unit School District No. 3, IL
• 4-8

• A-

• 375 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gridley Grade School

• El Paso-Gridley Community Unit School District No. 11, IL
• K-3

• A-

• 83 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Grove Elementary School

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

• A-

• 609 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Le Roy High School

• Leroy Community Unit School District No. 2, IL
• 9-12
• 52

Senior: I had a wonderful time at Le Roy High School. My father has been a teacher here for over 20 years and I feel very connected to the community. The community supports the school very well. Le Roy is focused and dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. Most of the teachers are dedicated to student success and are willing to go above and beyond for them. The culture of the school is very typical and most people are very friendly. We have a decidingly obvious lack of diversity as we have no African-American students and only a few Hispanic students in a school of 245.
Read 52 Reviews

• A-

• 243 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bloomington High School

• Bloomington School District No. 87, IL
• 9-12
• 141

Sophomore: My experience at Bloomington so far has been phenomenal. The students are supportive of one another, and the staff is willing to help. Funding is pretty evenly split between the fine arts department and the athletics department. There are plenty of extracurricular activities to get involved in, and they're always be something to fit your interests.
Read 141 Reviews

• A-

• 1,341 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northpoint Elementary School

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

• A-

• 591 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lexington High School

• Lexington Community Unit School District No. 7, IL
• 9-12
• 3

Senior: The school is an amazing environment for any child wanting to attend a small school where they can fit in and be apart of the school atmosphere.
Read 3 Reviews

• A-

• 145 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Normal Community West High School

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL
• 9-12
• 255

Alum: Great band program. Orchestra program is pretty decent! The chorus program isn’t awful, but filled with students who want an easy A. The school counselors aren’t very good at their job, but usually very nice. The sports programs are great.
Read 255 Reviews

• A-

• 1,641 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Prairieland Elementary School

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

• A-

• 534 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Benjamin Elementary School

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

• A-

• 599 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Tri-Valley High School

• Tri-Valley Community Unit School District No. 3, IL
• 9-12
• 37

Alum: Tri-Valley is a small, close community. However the school is old and needs updates. Fortunately there is a renovation happening now.
Read 37 Reviews

• A-

• 331 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Washington Elementary School

• Bloomington School District No. 87, IL
• K-5

• B+

• 435 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Carlock Elementary School

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

• B+

• 117 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Glenn Elementary School

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

• B+

• 264 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oakland Elementary School

• Bloomington School District No. 87, IL
• K-5

• B+

• 488 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ridgeview High School

• Ridgeview Community Unit School District No. 19, IL
• 9-12
• 33

Parent: When we moved into the area, we moved into this school district due to the system. Even though I may not agree with every move made by the district, overall and compared to area districts I feel Ridgeview is a standout.
Read 33 Reviews

• B+

• 149 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chiddix Junior High School

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL
• 6-8
• 2

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 2 Reviews

• B+

• 728 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Towanda Elementary School

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

• B+

• 185 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kingsley Junior High School

• McLean County Unified School District No. 5, IL
• 6-8

• B+

• 887 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio