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2019 High Schools with the Best Teachers in the Chicago AreaAbout this List

Explore the public high schools with the best teachers serving your area. Ranking based on student and parent ratings of teachers, teacher salaries, teacher absenteeism, teacher tenure, student-teacher ratio, and the Niche Academics Grade for the school. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 383
Best Teachers
383 results

  1. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

    • Public School
    • Aurora, IL
    • 10-12
    • 243
    1 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: Wonderful experience! I loved going to IMSA for the past three years. Although the academics are very challenging, and many late nights will be spent studying, the teachers care about the students and want to see them grow and succeed. The opportunities here are endless, including a wonderful SIR (Student Inquiry Research) program which allows the students to spend their Wednesdays researching. The school has also had many new renovations, including new science labs, study areas, and much more. The school is also so diverse, and students are encouraged to share their opinions and life stories. What a wonderful place to study!
    Read 243 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 649 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  2. New Trier Township High School

    • New Trier Township High School District No. 203, IL
    • 9-12
    • 469
    2 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: I am involved in the IGSS program, which is a newer program. Basically it is a school within a school. It encompasses English, Environmental Science, and History. The method of teaching is very organic. You are taught to think for yourself - there is no wrong answer! The teachers encourage creativity, thinking outside the box, and collaborative learning.
    Read 469 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 4,057 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Walter Payton College Prep

    • Chicago Public Schools, IL
    • 9-12
    • 312
    3 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Junior: Walter Payton College Prep is an amazing Liberal Arts school from which students leave ready to tackle the challenges of today. Here, you can play the trombone in front of hundreds of students. Here, you can swing swords and climb mountains. Here, you can do challenging math way above your pay grade. Here, you will learn about the history of our country from a multitude of perspectives, and read substantive essays from magnificent authors. The teachers at Walter Payton College Prep never cease to pique your curiosity. Faculty, in its entirety, has a great spectrum of wisdom and is a pillar of support for everyone who seeks their aid. And the students, from the 1st day freshman wondering the halls to the senior taking his last glance of the school, have a burning passion to learn and play 'till the bell strikes 3:30P.M.everyday. We can't wait to meet with you, share with you, and learn from you here at Walter Payton College Prep!
    Read 312 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 887 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  4. Sponsored

    Elgin Academy

    • Private School
    • Elgin, IL
    • PK, K-12
    • 28

    Parent: The best private school around! The atmosphere is amazing, teachers are amazing as well as staff. My daughter has been attending since pre-school best decision we made.
    Read 28 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 300 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Adlai E. Stevenson High School

    • Public School
    • Lincolnshire, IL
    • 9-12
    • 1,037
    4 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: The school itself is able to provide its students with a wide range of opportunities. They also have the financial capabilities to have a wide range of clubs, classes, and passionate faculty to encourage students to pursue any career path. However, the atmosphere is uber competitive and can be very stressful at times. My biggest piece of advice to fully enjoy the school is focus on doing what you like, because you're bound to find your niche (no pun intended!) at this school!
    Read 1,037 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 3,932 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Glenbrook South High School

    • Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL
    • 9-12
    • 439
    5 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Alum: I loved my time at Glenbrook South High School. This school is dedicated to making everyone feel welcome and helping them find their place. From the first day of freshman orientation, you are told over and over again that joining clubs and other school-wide activities is the thing to do! The academics are fantastic and prepare any student for the next step after high school. The spirit and pride of being a Titan is an exciting part as well! The home games and sprit weeks are some of the most fun I had in high school. GBS's support of the arts is something to admire as well. From advertising musicals and talent shows to school-wide previews for both of these events. In my opinion, there is no better high school in the Northshore.
    Read 439 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,910 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  7. Glenbrook North High School

    • Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL
    • 9-12
    • 385
    6 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: This school excels both in academics and activities for many students. Every student feels included and respectful to each other, making it feel easier to "fit in," even though it's not seen as completely diverse. The school is a safe place to express yourself and there are numerous amounts of clubs for you to join in. I, for example, joined the medical club due to my interest in the medical field. In its academic side, the schools offers great setting with high challenges for students while maintaining a low threat. Classes have teachers that really love their job, while others not so much. Thankfully, the great amount of electives offers a lot of choices for students to pick. GBN does a good job in preparing us for college. One thing I could change in GBN though is to push students a bit harder since many need a larger understanding of the world shaping around us.
    Read 385 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,997 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Northside College Preparatory High School

    • Chicago Public Schools, IL
    • 9-12
    • 510
    7 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Alum: Northside College Prep has one of the most rigorous academic curricula in the nation; as it constantly places amongst the top 25 high schools. The social structure within the school's student body and staff is very liberal/left-winged, where almost everyone is accepting of each other.

    Despite this, there is an extreme stigma on the grades acquired by students' peers, where if you don't have anything higher than an A- in a class, you're made an outcast; this creates an atmosphere which at times can be very hostile and rejecting of others. This example of grade-based stigmatization is further seen amongst the administration of the school, no one will help you unless you have at least a 3.8 GPA, this has led to students fending for themselves academically as well as psychologically.

    The school's teachers, however, are phenomenal and 9/10 of them deserve the highest regards in terms of providing my peers and I with the support we needed at tough times and for making learning fun!
    Read 510 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,056 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Libertyville High School

    • Community High School District No. 128, IL
    • 9-12
    • 396
    8 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Sophomore: I absolutely loved my time at Libertyville High School. The teachers are well learned and very approachable. They're flexible with their timing and willing to accommodate with my schedule... and were extremely nice! The clubs are good all around and suitable for many different personalities from debate club for the hardworking, ambitious kind to ultimate frisbee club for the chill, athletic kids. Everyone looks out for one another and the students are encouraged to be friendly as to follow the WIldcat Way. Overall, my years at LHS were amazing. There will always be a part of me connected to the school. Once a wildcat always a wildcat.
    Read 396 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,987 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Highland Park High School

    • Township High School District No. 113, IL
    • 9-12
    • 229
    9 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Freshman: I am attending Highland Park High School currently as a freshman and I already love the school! They have so much variety put into their clubs and activities. We have a big art festival called FOCUS that happens every two years and it was truly a breathtaking experience, getting to pick the classes you want and pursuing those things. They also have things for the Hispanic side of the school. They have clubs specifically for exploring more about Hispanic culture and we have a Latin dance club as well that I am in. The security guards are super friendly and not always on your back about things, they're like your local adult friends that you see in the halls occasionally. I also love that the effort that comes from teachers and staff is almost equally matched with the effort from the students. During our annual charity Drive, our whole school saved 142,430 dollars for a sexual abuse center,The Zacharias Center. I feel blessed to be in this school.
    Read 229 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,026 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Deerfield High School

    • Township High School District No. 113, IL
    • 9-12
    • 273
    10 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Alum: Deerfield High School was a good school overall. Most of the teachers are very caring towards their students and are very well educated in their fields. Facilities wise, the school has too many gyms and pools, and needs more parking and a new auditorium. The auditorium was built acoustically backwards, does not have handicapped seating and would benefit from having a fly space. Stage crew is a really great club at DHS and r hall (artsy kids) have a really strong community. Something the high school does really well in is academics. Students are very prepared for college and ap tests. It's a lot of work but it pays off (hopefully) in the end.
    Read 273 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,646 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Vernon Hills High School

    • Community High School District No. 128, IL
    • 9-12
    • 287
    11 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Parent: We are a new family at Vernon Hills High School. I am greatly impressed by the excellent education my kids are receiving at Vernon Hills High School. I am extremely happy with what my son is learning in Math and Science. What my daughter learned in her Health class is amazingly helpful. Also, she has a wonderful Spanish teacher. Her math teacher not only teaches students about math but also how to conduct themselves properly in speech. She likes all her teachers at VHHS. People are friendly and helpful. Keep up your good work, Cougars!
    Read 287 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,287 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  16. John Hersey High School

    • Township High School District No. 214, IL
    • 9-12
    • 278
    12 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Alum: John Hersey High prepared me academically for my future college. The academic advise, aid, and load of homework has enabled me to becoming a better student at my local community college. Likewise, the extracurricular activities truly gave me a chance to have a taste of what a future career can entail. I truly loved being a husky, and am very grateful for my experience!
    Read 278 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,901 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Hinsdale Central High School

    • Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86, IL
    • 9-12
    • 303
    13 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Alum: Many schools offer many student organizations and have incredible, hard-working staff. What makes Hinsdale stand out compared to other schools are how many choices in elective courses students have. Some electives, such as the engineering, architecture, and graphics courses I took, helped me realize my passion for teaching these disciplines. Other courses, like Russian Studies and Irish Literature, allowed me to focus in on an entire country that I otherwise would never have learned about as in-depth, giving me a greater appreciation for those countries' history, culture, and literature with the right context. Taking architecture helped me grow my love for design while also confirming it is not something I would want to pursue professionally. It's amazing that Hinsdale can offer so many unique experiences for students, allowing them to explore potential career options or open up the possibility to discover new hobbies and interests.
    Read 303 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,802 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  20. Naperville Central High School

    • Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203, IL
    • 9-12
    • 478
    14 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: There are so many ways to be involved at Naperville Central. There is a large variety of sports, clubs, and activities! Naperville Central's students have outrageous school spirit supporting so many sports games. The teachers at Naperville Central are always there to help you succeed.
    Read 478 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,874 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  21. Lake Forest High School

    • Public School
    • Lake Forest, IL
    • 9-12
    • 139
    15 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Alum: The school itself is beautiful, the facilities are great and kept very clean. It has a wide range of classes that differ in difficulty. All students are encouraged to push themselves toward academic success. With the new hybrid block schedule students are given more of an opportunity to seek help from their academic teachers in the morning, instead of just having the opportunity during school, when a lot of the time the student and teacher's schedules don't match up. The school also puts an emphasis on sports and other extracurricular activities leaving students with an overwhelming list of things to participate in after school. The school also guides it's students towards reaching higher education with counselors ready and willing to assist their students in whatever they might need for the future. Overall the school has a welcoming atmosphere along with a variety of classes, clubs, sports, and other opportunities for students to exercise and expand their academic and life skills.
    Read 139 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,696 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  22. William Fremd High School

    • Township High School District No. 211, IL
    • 9-12
    • 524
    16 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: People pay more to live Fremd's district for a reason! I've loved all of my teachers and you can tell they are passionate about what they do. There are a lot of different clubs and activities to choose from, and cool events like Writer's Week, Variety Show, and Operation Snowball. People assume that everyone at Fremd is snobby and rich but that is not the case- there are students from all different cultural and financial backgrounds.
    Read 524 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,707 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Prospect High School

    • Township High School District No. 214, IL
    • 9-12
    • 402
    17 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: I have been lucky to have a great experience with PHS. It is a very positive atmosphere with a lot of kind students and faculty. We also have a therapy dog named Ringo that you can come and pet whenever you want/need which is amazing.
    The teachers are very helpful and want to see you succeed. They are able to recognize when you are putting in effort, even if it does not show up on your grades. I have not yet had one bad teacher, and a lot of my past teachers have actually given me a lot of amazing life advice. I will definitely keep in touch with some of them after I graduate!
    Read 402 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,176 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Niles West High School

    • Niles Township Community High School District No. 219, IL
    • 9-12
    • 410
    18 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: I have gone to Niles West for 3 years, and I had a wide variety of experiences here. First of all, I would like to acknowledge the security staff at this school. After having a real lockdown, the school finally decided to impose more safety drills because we essentially had no safety drills each year. The security staff has always been poor every year I attended because the school hires older retired police officers and others who seem unqualified for the job. The other day, they let my friend into the school after she arrived late without having to show any identification and the security officer even said, "Oh, you don't look like a student, but go ahead." Besides the security, the school has excellent athletic facilities and training staff! However, the football team is horrible.
    Read 410 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,507 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

    • Chicago Public Schools, IL
    • 7-12
    • 959
    19 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: My experience at Whitney Young has been irreplaceable. I've learned so much about the world we live in just by attending. However, the social and political spheres reap the consequences of the diversity we celebrate. The school's administration actively ignores problems that are resultant, e.g., mental health, racism, bullying. This leads (the targeted) students to either normalize and not know how to respond to hate or to fight it and be silenced. In other aspects, though, Whitney Young promotes individuality, free expression and creativity. Our visual and performing arts programs are both very impressive albeit underfunded. Most of our sports rank first in city competitions annually. There are numerous teams and clubs. There are tutoring centers for every subject. Whitney Young has something for everyone. I only wish the school valued its students more than its image.
    Read 959 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,153 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Maine East High School

    • Maine Township High School District No. 207, IL
    • 9-12
    • 315
    20 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: Maine East is one of the most diverse high schools in Illinois! Every time I walk through the hallways, I hear multiple languages being spoken. I learned so much about culture and acceptance from my friends and fellow students, rather than history books or lectures from teachers. Maine East seems to get a bad rep from the other nearby schools since we're different (diverse). While students from other schools may be less tolerant of diversity, I am proud to be a Maine East student and soon alumni! Maine East teaches students more about the real world, which include encounters with different cultures and ethnicity, better than any other nearby school.
    Read 315 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,917 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Lyons Township High School

    • Public School
    • La Grange, IL
    • 9-12
    • 589
    21 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: I know high school can be a nightmare for some people, but all in all I had a pretty good experience at Lyons Township. I think my satisfaction comes from the fact that each class has over a thousand students in it. With so many kids, it creates so many opportunities. There actually is something for everyone here. From amazing academics to athletics. As a theatre kid; however, I do wish they'd give us a little more attention, it does seem like we get pushed to the side for the sake of the athletics department more often than not. My high school places a large focus on athletics, and while that's fine I do wish they tried to make the non-athletic students feel a little more included. My high school is amazing though when it comes to dealing with students one on one. Personally, I've struggled with depression for years, and our counselors got me the help I needed immediately. All in all, I'll always remember Lyons Township fondly. Go LT!
    Read 589 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 3,985 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  30. Jones College Prep High School

    • Chicago Public Schools, IL
    • 9-12
    • 581
    22 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: I think the counseling department at Jones does an amazing job at finding enrichment opportunities for students. Through their emails, I found out about the ACE Mentor Program, which greatly influenced the major I want to pursue and helped me get an apprenticeship over the summer. I feel fortunate to have a fountain of resources at school, because I know that not all students have those opportunities.
    Jones has incredible students because it has amazing teachers. One particular English teacher was always a harsh grader, but because of her I learned to communicate better through my writing, which helped me excel in other courses. The AP classes at Jones are also great because there are so many to choose from, and my teachers were always available if I had trouble in class.
    Read 581 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 1,667 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
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  32. Lane Tech College Prep High School

    • Chicago Public Schools, IL
    • 7-12
    • 2,697
    23 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Senior: I cried when I got into Lane Tech because I knew about its reputation and it would look great on my college applications and resumes. There are numerous Advanced Placement classes and some offer double periods and dual credit (many Illinois schools do not offer). I have taken cool electives such as AP Psychology, astronomy, neuroscience, zoology, Studio Drawing and Painting, and more. I've met awesome teachers and lifelong friends. There is absolutely no way you can't make friends because there are so many students AND clubs/sports to join; you'll fit in just fine. The school stays relatively clean despite 4,000+ students and staff. A few things I would love to see change are the options for the vending machine, new toilet seats and mirrors for the girl restrooms, and for Lane to bring back Early Dismissal Wednesdays! Despite all that and after 4 long (although it feels short) years, I can proudly say I am graduating from Albert G. Lane Technical College Prep. Go Lane, Go!
    Read 2,697 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 4,049 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  33. Neuqua Valley High School

    • Indian Prairie Community Unit School District No. 204, IL
    • 9-12
    • 930
    24 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Freshman: I love Neuqua! As you may know, Neuqua has two buildings, the Main Building (Main) and the Birkett Freshman Center (BFC). The BFC is unique to Neuqua because of it's large and distinct population. The purpose of the BFC is to make a large school small. It is very good at accomplishing that goal. There is some classes at the Main building for freshman, and there is also some classes at the BFC for upperclassmen. There is a shuttle that links both buildings. I am in couple of after-school activities myself, I have Marching Band and Pep Band. They both help with time management because they take up a lot of time and you need to schedule your time to do it well. I am also in Muslim Student Association (MSA). If you are a Muslim, it doesn't matter if you are Shia or Sunni or you go to a different mosque or masjid or if you wear a hijab or not, still attend. I go to a different mosque than everyone else. I would say to join as many clubs as possible. But not too many!
    Read 930 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 3,764 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  34. Lincoln-Way East High School

    • Lincoln Way Community High School District No. 210, IL
    • 9-12
    • 377
    25 Best Public High School Teachers in Chicago Area

    Junior: I absolutely love my high school. School is school, so it's rough at times, what with all of the homework I'm assigned on top of the extracurricular activities I do. But the resources and opportunities that Lincoln-Way offers its students are phenomenal, and its staff is very capable, knowledgeable, and helpful. I've had so many great teachers throughout my high school career so far and I feel like they've all added positively to my experience here.
    The amount of importance Lincoln-Way has placed on writing strong and effective essays is one of the greatest things about my school. My teachers have often told me that alumni say the preparation we receive when it comes to writing has helped them immensely in college, and I, personally, feel that I've learned more about writing in AP Language and Composition this year alone than I have all previous years in school. I'm extremely proud to be a Griffin!
    Read 377 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Teachers
    • 2,133 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  35. Sponsored

    St. Benedict Preparatory School

    • Private School
    • Chicago, IL
    • PK, K-8
    • 6

    Parent: We are in our 3rd year as a St. Benedict family and we couldn't be happier. Our 2nd grader absolutely LOVES going to school. She recently started in student council, in SECOND GRADE! The extracurriculars, from Running Club to Dance and Violin, there is something for every child, no matter the interest. They're making great strides in technology as well with their recent 1:1 device rollout, STEM curriculum, new cyber security as well as new safety measures puts them on the cutting edge.

    The culture is fantastic as well. We quickly made lifelong friends and we can all count on each other - it takes a village.

    St Bens is a fantastic school and they continue to make great strides toward becoming one of the leading private schools on the northside.
    Read 6 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 715 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park

    • Private School
    • Chicago, IL
    • PK, K-6
    • 1

    Parent: This school has a straight forward academic approach that works. We transferred from a school that was considered a top ranking school in Chicago because the curriculum was more a focus on social causes than academic learning. Some of the top ranked schools are surviving on reputation only. When a student from British would transfer into our old school they were years ahead of all the other students. That should tell you something. Do your research.
    Read 1 Review

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 506 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
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