2023 Best Schools in Chicago

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  427 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 427 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,167

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  616 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 616 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,027

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  140 reviews

Alum: The school is what you make of it. There are a lot of amazing teachers with a passion for their material, but if you don't make any effort to learn then you're not going to get much. I started coming during 8th grade and I think this was great timing. I wouldn't have been able to come before for a mixture of financial, mental, and academic reasons. It gave me time to transition into high school and meet new people, although I'd say I found my core group more near the end of sophomore year. It has a reputation as a 'professor's kid daycare' school but that's not fully accurate. The majority of kids are children of UChicago or Lab employees, but they have a diverse pool of jobs and aren't generally that preppy.... Read 140 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  1,169 reviews

Sophomore: Whitney Young is a great school with great academics and athletics. There are hundreds of clubs to choose from. The school prepares kids for academic success and college readiness. The teachers are caring and the administration makes sure there are rules set in place to help everyone in the school feel at home. The teachers, except maybe 1 or 2, have been the best and are always open to listen to you. The athletic teams always win championships each year and they are supplied with lots of equipment and everything they need. There are many resources helping students in many different ways, like the counseling department and much more. The students all feel well connected to the staff and the weekly newsletter, "The Weekly" answers the concerns or questions that a student may bring up. The school is very diverse, and everyone feels included. There are many safety protocols that everyone must follow to help everyone feel safe. Overall, my time at Whitney Young has been great!... Read 1,169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  759 reviews

Senior: The experience I have had at Jones College Prep has been decent! It is definitely a very academically focused school, and that is a good thing because it motivates students to do well, but it is sometimes not a good thing, because it can get in the way of things that are more important, like connections with other people, family, and just having a life, as one should, outside of school. I will always be grateful for the friends that I made, and the impact they had on my life during my high school years. The changes I want to see is not specific to the school. They are aimed towards the entire school system. I feel as though students mental health and lives outside of school are not valued enough. School starts early in the morning, then students have extra curricular's, and piled on top of that they also have homework, all while trying to have a proper sleep schedule and keeping up relationships with people. A later start and limited homework would extremely benefit students.... Read 759 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,909

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  114 reviews

Middle School Student: At Latin there is an excellent academic program. The staff tries their best to make sure we succeed no matter what we are trying to do. You can choose almost any sport and the teachers will train you and help you grow. There is almost any club you can choose and if you don’t see one you like you can make your own. They are super organized and have been so prepared for any issues that come their way. In general Latin has given me an amazing experience and I definitely recommend!... Read 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Winnetka, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  86 reviews

Parent: Our kids have been in the lower, middle, and upper schools at NSCD and we feel incredibly lucky. They are very different kids but both have thrived there. The opportunity to do everything--academics, sports, arts--really helped them grow and broaden their interests. The high school in particular is a hidden gem on the North Shore. The level of individual attention our kids got was remarkable and so different from what we hear about at other local high schools. The combo of small classes and hands-on learning is incredibly impactful. Our current college student found her freshman year to be a breeze because of her academic preparation! College counseling program is amazing and college outcomes strong. Also, the ability to play athletics at a high level all through high school was fabulous. The school doesn't offer every sport you might think of, but the chance to play multiple sports for four years rather than getting cut early on was important to us. Top to bottom a great experience.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 547

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  61 reviews

Parent: Our two children have attended BISC since nursery and they are now in 7th and 5th. Our children have developed a true love of learning and they love going to school. The teachers are so impressive—they work hard to understand their students keep them engaged. The curriculum is so well thought out and prepares students for higher learning and beyond, from an academic and life perspective. They emphasize values from a young age and encourage leadership. All of this and they worked unbelievably hard to ensure they continued delivering high quality learning during the pandemic. So so impressive!... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 689

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  155 reviews

Parent: Our family came to Roycemore in 8th grade from another independent school in the Chicagoland area. We chose Roycemore because of the small, individual attention each student receives. When my daughter started Roycemore she was quiet and lacked confidence and it made it difficult for her to connect with both her peers and teachers. Once she started at Roycemore she was making friends and building relationships with teachers. My daughter is now an upper school student at Roycemore. She is involved in the yearbook, student government, plays a sport and is involved in numerous other clubs and activities. She has blossomed into a confident, intelligent young person with a bright future and I credit this confidence and growth to the nurturing environment Roycemore offers. She has found her voice and a love for learning. We are so grateful to be a part of the Roycemore community!... Read 155 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 244

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  3,223 reviews

Senior: Easy to be a stranger here, but it's wonderful when you choose not to be one. Room numbering system is odd, but you'll get it in a few weeks. Most students will be happy to assist you w finding classes. Security guards are nice, but wear your ID or hold onto it. The boys bathrooms are in poor condition, and one of the rooms' stalls do not have locks or close properly, and the sink water vacillates between boiling hot and cold. Sometimes there's graffiti in the stalls and garbage on the lawn. I wish other students would pick up their trash because it is messing with the geese and looks bad, and I wish that the front lawn could be terraformed so that it's more flat. There's lots of nice teachers, and the great ones make this school worth it. Lane does a good job in offering specialized programs. I wish there were more counselors at Lane because the school's so big it's sometimes hard to get to know people or get the help you need! LSC cares. A cleanable, solid brick in Roscoe Village.... Read 3,223 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,330

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: As a former black student at Parker, I’ll try an give as unbiased a review as possible. My experience was from 7th grade until sophomore year between the years of 2002-2006. I was fortunate enough to have had the experience of going to a public, private, military, and reform school, so I believe I can say with some accuracy, which school gave me the best education, best connections, and best overall experience, and that was Parker. The access, the small class sizes, the teachers, and the curriculum are all stellar. You essentially get what you pay for as most students who graduate are well rounded, well adjusted, and are given the tools to think critically and contextualize most, if not all situations. With that being said, Parker has always had, and will probably always have an issue garnering more POC and black students into its community. This has mainly to do with the cost of tuition. Ultimately, even with this being the case, Parker is worth it and will give your child a leg up.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 935

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: It's a small school. Everyone knows each other. It's very much a community of foreigners in Chicago. However, there are Americans. Students always come out of my school as bilingual in French and English. I myself am and have also learned German. It's a great opportunity for all children. They have two programs once you reach high school: the IB program and the Bac program. Both are wonderful. My sister has graduated from the IB program and I will graduate from the Bac program later this year. However, this is a very small school. Don't come here if you're searching for the stereotypical high school experience with football and homecoming. I, however, have loved my school as I have gone here since I was three years old. The teachers are all very accommodating and will know you by name even years after teaching you. It's a very nice environment to grow up in. It can feel stifling at times with the small size. I recommend this school for the bilingual experience!... Read 20 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 746

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Deerfield, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  51 reviews

Niche User: Amazing school! Both of my siblings attended this high school and received great well rounded educations. There is a strong sense of community! Leadership is encouraged throughout many school aspects, which helps students build their resumes early and be prepared for college!... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 185

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  388 reviews

Senior: Diversity has definitely improved since my freshmen year. The school has become more inclusive towards minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. Academics are tough. How hard your class is doesn’t depend on the level of class you take (Honors, AP) but the teacher you have. Some teachers give loads of homework and tests, and some don’t give any homework. Be prepared for a lot of homework. Ignatius prepares you well for college. Teachers are a hit or miss. There are amazing teachers but also some horrible ones. I have never had a good math teacher. Food is way too expensive and unhealthy but it tastes great most of the time. Ignatius needs to build more bathrooms and expand the cafeteria because they accepted way too many students. Overall, Ignatius has many ways it can improve on, but It has given me so many resources and opportunities to become a better student and person. I wouldn’t have chosen any other school!... Read 388 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,512

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  25 reviews

Parent: I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard there was a Montessori inspired high school. The more I learn, I realize that Montessori goes hand-in-hand with International Baccalaureate and Real-life Experiential Learning. The students have a lot of choice in their course selection, and within courses the students who have a burning desire to dive deeper are given that runway. My teen happens to be fairly aggressive in her academic pursuits, and she's thriving at Beacon. What I love, though, is that every student is invited to express the best version of themselves. Honestly the students are thriving because their teachers are amazing - they bring creativity, joy, authenticity AND rigor to the classroom. Thank you Beacon for recruiting, hiring, and retaining excellent teachers. I haven't seen anything like Beacon and wholeheartedly I support this model of educating students.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Niles, IL•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: Northridge Preparatory School is the best place to challenge yourself academically while also strengthening your faith. What makes Northridge unique is that an all-male faculty teaches the all-male student population, which creates a lively and amiable environment. The strong comradery makes the school day fly by. There is never a day where I leave the building feeling happy. The teachers not only encourage me to be academically sound, but also to be a man of intellect who loves God. The advising program is unparalleled. My advisor taught me about giving thanks for every accomplishment and dedicating certain tasks throughout my day to someone I love. Northridge Prep has taught me how to succeed in college, to be the prominent male figure in the family nucleus, and to be an ambassador of Jesus' teachings. I would, without a doubt, implore every single young man in America to attend Northridge Prep if he could.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 362

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  130 reviews

Parent: I have 2 children at Morgan Park Academy in the Early Childhood program and we love it! My kids are engaged and challenged academically and are taught about kindness in a world that seems to have forgotten about it. I love that my children could sing and count in French, Spanish, and Mandarin from the age of 3. The teachers truly care about the students and work hard to make it a great learning environment. Morgan Park Academy is a small school but an awesome community.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 490

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Northfield, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  106 reviews

Parent: CHA’s Christ-centered culture, and its heart for Christ and for His Kingdom uniquely permeate all aspects of the community! The staff, faculty, administrators are earnestly seeking God and serving Him faithfully – they regard their work at CHA as a ministry that God have called them into, rather than just a daily job. They intentionally model Christ for the students in everything and in various ways. It’s so incredible and a tremendous blessing to have such kind of life-to-life discipleship taking place every day inside and outside of classrooms. Their Christ-like love, kindness, and care have touched and impacted many students and families, ourselves included.... Read 106 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Niles Township Community High School District No. 219, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  520 reviews

Senior: I love the community Niles West has! I have been involved in academics and extracurricular activities throughout my four years at Niles West. I am a National Honor Society member, a Literacy Center tutor, a Marching Band Woodwind Section Leader, a Korean Club President and choreographer, and a Chinese Club Co-Leader and choreographer. In previous years, I was an Asian Pop Culture Club member and choreographer as well as a Ping-Pong Club member. Because of clubs at West, I have learned how to work in groups and expand my social skills. This helped me to make numerous, lasting friends. I is proud to have attended Niles West High School; it helped expand my interests, such as engineering and band, and inspired me to become a well-rounded person who is better prepared for college.... Read 520 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,557

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  111 reviews

Works Here: The incredible community at the Chicago Academy for the Arts is unlike anything you will find at another school. Teachers, Administrators, and parents work closely together in the best interest of our amazing students. Through our small-by-design and co-curricular program, students are given the time and the space to figure out who they are and what they are capable of and they thrive at school, both artistically and academically. As a faculty member working within this intimate and collaborative environment, I feel supported and known. The Academy is a wonderful place to be for so many reasons!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 121

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• Wilmette, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  311 reviews

Senior: Loyola Academy is a great school as long as you can foot the bill and desire Jesuit values in education. Loyola’s strengths are its athletics and college readiness. Athletics are a huge part of the culture at Loyola. Most students participate in at least one sport during their time here. There is a wide variety of sports to choose from and most a “no cut” freshman year which allows all to participate. Students also get a helping hand through their college process during all the steps. No matter the student, Loyola will find a college for them. Loyola does have some drawbacks. While it is getting better, because of the steep tuition and location, diversity is low. The music and arts are also neglected in favor in sports. They are underfunded and not many kids participate. A new theater is being built, so in the future, the program might have more life in it. Overall though, Loyola is a great school as long as you can pay the steep tuition. Go Ramblers!... Read 311 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,000

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Oak Park, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  201 reviews

Sophomore: I have had two students graduate from Fenwick and have an incoming sophomore there. Fenwick is a fantastic school with a great community of parents, teachers and students. We have been so happy we chose Fenwick to help our children grow and mature not only academically but spiritually. The bonds my children have built with their classmates are outstanding -- well after they've graduated, my children maintained their Fenwick friendships. I also found the extracurricular experience -- from fine arts/musicals to all sorts of sports activities to be wonderful. The coaches and extracurricular sponsors are committed to helping the students achieve and be great teammates to each other. My children have also been challenged academically in a good way and both of my graduates were accepted to their first choice colleges -- Notre Dame and USC. We are thrilled with our Fenwick experience.... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,197

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Skokie, IL•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: The best school and I’m so happy we live here! We feel so welcomed and we have really nice teachers & community in general. All the haters don’t even live here. We have the best teachers & administration! Hard working men & women making a difference in our child’s lives.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 741

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  38 reviews

Parent: We have two sons at GEMS and have been very impressed with many of the teachers and administrators there in terms of how well they know our boys, how much they care about their intellectual and social development, their responsiveness to any concerns we have had, and their application of the challenging academic program. We also adore the parents and classmates at GEMS who are so kind, fun, and welcoming. Our sons transferred to GEMS from another private day school and we are so thrilled we made the choice for and with them to do so!... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 440

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Maine Township High School District No. 207, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  528 reviews

Alum: Teachers are hit or miss, though they're all highly qualified. The school in general is very lax on enforcing rules, and very uninterested in actually helping students succeed through personal issues. This may be because the school's demographics are primarily white upper middle class suburbanites that have grown up there their entire lives. This is not to say that the environment is unfriendly -- the majority of people I met here were very nice. Some of the best class selections I've seen out of any high school, but competitiveness is high and taking a multitude of electives isn't always encouraged, especially since it impacts your GPA. Lots of college prep towards the end, but most students had already finished their applications by the time it came up, and college counselors were not helpful. Best part is that many teachers will actively seek out gifted students for opportunities, and it's definitely a boost for later in life.... Read 528 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,454

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1