2023 High Schools with the Best Teachers in the Chicago Area

• Aurora, IL•

• Public School•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  358 reviews

Sophomore: I love the attention that all of the teachers I have met to this point have given to every student! They hold a lot of patience for questions and genuinely enjoy helping everyone learn, not just memorizing information. The food given out could be better, such as always having it warm and not cold sometimes. Overall, kind teachers and staff!... Read 358 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 629

• Student-teacher ratio —

• New Trier Township High School District No. 203, IL•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  569 reviews

Parent: I never went to New Trier. I attended Loyola. And for the most part, we didn't like New Trier kids: rich, arrogant, brash. Fast forward 30 years and now I have a son who goes to New Trier. All the stereotypes that us city kids had about them were false. This is a wonderful school. Yes it's big. Yes it lacks diversity. But that being said, its facilities and faculty are nothing less than excellent. You have tutors on standby for every subject. There are hundreds of clubs, research programs and specialized academic studies that can rival a private college. The athletics are on a different level. And I'm not talking about the competition. There is plenty of that. I am referring to the infrastructure: turf fields, training programs, physical trainers assigned to sports teams and a huge indoor sports complex. It's incredible. Lastly, the kids. They are open-minded, understanding and supportive . I couldn't have asked for a better high school for my kid.... Read 569 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 3,040

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  411 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 411 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,191

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  603 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 603 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,041

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  379 reviews

Alum: My experience prepared me well for college and provided a number of opportunities for academic competition. I especially enjoyed participating on the Math Team and Scholastic Bowl team. Competition between students was intense, but it never interfered with our relationships. I formed some lasting friendships. The teachers were of high caliber. They cared about our success and challenged us. Some of the toughest classes were also some of the most enjoyable because of the quality instruction. One area for improvement would be better integration with the program for the hearing-impaired. A few deaf students attended normal classes with the help of a sign-language interpreter, but it would have been beneficial for all if a higher number of deaf students were incorporated into the mainstream curriculum. An initial sign-language class for all freshmen could have gone a long way to building relationships between the otherwise very segregated hearing and hearing-impaired students.... Read 379 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,613

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  451 reviews

Sophomore: In general, Glenbrook North High school offers one of the best education program and curriculum in Illinois! Our school provides many educational opportunities and challenges for each and every student currently attending this specific high school! In other words, GBN provides high-level sport activities, clubs, as well as projects! As a current sophomore, I've been able to obtain leadership and social skills as a community member of GBN! As a regular participant of Key Club and Medical Club, I've been able to achieve long-term goals I've set for my overall high school experience through interacting with other students and assisting their needs. I am proud to say every single teacher at our school is fair and equal to each and every student of Glenbrook North High school.... Read 451 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,025

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 214, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  530 reviews

Junior: I love Prospect so far! My experience with teachers and classes have been great! There are many varying classes to take, career pathway classes, Honors and AP, anything you could ask for. The teachers are well versed in their subjects, and leave students with a good understanding of the material. Prospect offers many extra curricular activities, that allow students to get involved with others while doing something they are passionate about! Although I am not yet done with my career at Prospect, I am feeling prepared for college, and am grateful for my years at Prospect, knowing they’ll benefit me as I venture into the world!... Read 530 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,202

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  1,235 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 1,235 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 4,315

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  731 reviews

Alum: Coming from the far south side of Chicago, attending Jones College Prep was a unique experience for me. I met people of various backgrounds, which opened my mind to different perspectives. To get to school, I took public transportation, allowing me to explore the city for all its diverse neighborhoods. I was able to see demographic changes and injustices on the train ride to school. It made me interested in gaining knowledge on the inequity within the city. I got to bring those ideas to school and write about them, and people listened. New ideas were welcomed and embraced and that's something I liked about going to Jones. Having come from different neighborhoods, it was expected that everyone would come with biases and prejudices. And they did. Ideals and values were challenged in a variety of ways, whether that be by microaggressions, racial slurs, or stereotyping. Although the school addressed some of these issues, Jones could do a better job at creating safer spaces for POC.... Read 731 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,915

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 214, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  350 reviews

Junior: I’m a junior at Hersey High School and my experience so far has been great. The faculty is intelligent and professional in what they do, the athletics are some of the best in the district, and there are a multitude of clubs to be a part of. Their college resources are also really good. I have enjoyed so many of the classes I’ve taken at Hersey so far—even if some are a bit challenging—and love how many AP classes Hersey offers. This helps immensely with GPAs in general and allows students to gain college credit and college-level academic experience. The friends I have made here is also one of the many reasons why I love Hersey so much. The public school setting allowed me to meet different people, and since I came from a small, private school, this was really eye-opening. It’s really been a great time for me here and I have only good things to say about this school. Go Huskies!... Read 350 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,980

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  537 reviews

Alum: Great School! A lot of resources available to students to guarantee success, but it all depends on the student's intent. Advising could definitely be better in terms of a more thorough pipeline after graduating instead of just classes. The school facilities are unmatched thought. It is incredible how big the campus is and how many resources the school has. Many schools in the state can only dream of such facilities as 2 pools, the sports fields, and the state of the art technology. My experience at GBS had some issues because at times the school ran itself in a very totalitarian way. The school administrators rarely advocated for the growth among students belonging to lower class families. This also translated to inability to motivate social mobility, by having more disadvantaged students not be tempted to take advanced placement courses. Regardless the school prepared me well for college.... Read 537 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 3,139

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 113, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  312 reviews

Senior: Deerfield High School is a strong academic environment that promotes collaboration and exploration. The teachers tend to promote supportive environments for their students and there is many options on types of courses and levels for each student to personalize their experiences. The social scene of Deerfield High School can be hit or miss, but there are many ways to find the community right for you.... Read 312 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,555

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 113, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  274 reviews

Alum: Highland Park High School offers a great academic environment. Students have the opportunity to learn more than science and math but also get involved with fine arts. I had some of the greatest teachers with who I still am in contact with today. They also offer an abundant amount of clubs and sports from participating in service throughout the community to learning new things like dance or sign language. Overall, you can always find something to do with your time at Highland Park academically and socially. However, the school is located in a wealth suburb so the scene makes it hard for some students to adjust but the school is big enough that you will find your people.... Read 274 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,831

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  172 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 172 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,501

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 211, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  547 reviews

Alum: I really liked the environment of Conant. I always felt very included and involved. However the general culture of Conant could be toxic. Sometimes the faculty and administration disregarded student needs in order to make the school look better. I wish this would change. Some teachers would also, very obviously, show favoritism which would get annoying. Overall Conant offered a very good academic environment. Conant also always had something for everyone, whether it was a club or a sport, Conant had it or had the capacity to create it.... Read 547 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,435

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lemont, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  333 reviews

Senior: My time at Lemont High School is one that could never be forgotten! The teachers and staff are always there to help students get ahead during their time there. The different tools offered such as; personal computers, a wide variety of commodities, as well as a multitude of clubs and extracurriculars makes Lemont High unforgettable. As a member of the Lemont Highschool Speech Team, I have grown so much as a speaker and it has drawn me so much closer to my peers than I could have ever imagined. Throughout my 4 years on the team, I was not only able to expand my public speaking skills, but I had also been able to what it takes to be an effective leader. after being chosen to be a team captain after my sophomore year season, i was able to help unite the team even more than it had been, which had very positive, lasting effects. Overall, Lemont High School is wonderful and I would Highly suggest this school for any parents wanting their kids to gain a quality education.... Read 333 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,405

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Township High School District No. 211, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  629 reviews

Senior: I love Fremd high school, it is like a second home to me. This school does so much for its students, both in academics and extracurriculars. The course options are incredible with unique classes like fashion design and bioengineering, and there are so many clubs and sports to be a part of! From theatre to bowling to photography to coding, there are so many extracurriculars to choose from. The teachers are all very nice, I've personally had VERY few negative experiences with teachers. Everyone seems to look out for each other at Fremd, and there is plenty of kindness to go around. The atmosphere is positive and uplifting, and this allows students to get so much work done! I can confidently say that this school has made me brighter, it has helped me develop my skills, and it has made me much more confident in myself as not only a student, but as a person.... Read 629 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,650

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Township High School District No. 214, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  499 reviews

Senior: BG has something for everyone. Whether it's a club or set of classes there's always something to do or learn. The staff genuinely care about the students and will often follow up with students of they were having trouble with something. This applies not only to the teachers, but many of the counselors will reach out if they hear of difficulty in a student's personal or home life. The classes themselves, at least the ones I took, were a lot of fun and really interesting. They offer many advanced classes so it's unlikely that you'll run out.... Read 499 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,031

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  1,158 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 1,158 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,121

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  516 reviews

Senior: I am a senior at Maine South, and I like the school. The teachers are knowledgeable, and there are many courses of all levels to prepare students for their post-high school plans. In addition, our school is known for football, as we are currently ranked #12 in the state. There has been a lot of construction, starting at the end of my first year, but the school's renovation was very much needed. The school has implemented many study/gathering spaces, expanded the parking lots, and created a more modern feel for the school. The food options are pretty good, but it's primarily overpriced. Sometimes the teachers rush things in class, but I find that going in for office hours is super helpful, and I feel like every staff member is willing to help the students out. I like the school's overall culture and feel like everyone is included/involved in activities they enjoy. There are so many leadership opportunities for clubs, and it's easy to fit in with people with similar interests.... Read 516 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,415

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Community High School District 128, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  374 reviews

Senior: My experience at Vernon Hills High School has been wonderful! I have grown to enjoy my academic studies, have had the ability to join clubs and athletics, and had the chance to grow amazing connections with teachers that I am able to call my role models. The hands-on environment from the community grants superb opportunities that most schools do not support. I also love that I was able to know most of my classmates due to the number of people who also attend Vernon Hills High School. It allows me to create more friendships and connections with unforgettable people. My time at VHHS has been great, and I learned important life lessons from all aspects of high school!... Read 374 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,570

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  3,172 reviews

Senior: Lane Tech is an amazing school where the students are diverse and the resources are numerous. Students have access to well-qualified teachers and aid. Lane Tech excels in all areas: the sports teams dominate their fields, there are over 100 student-led clubs, our theater productions and choirs are superb. This list can continue endlessly because Lane Tech stops at nothing to succeed and provide its students with as many resources and opportunities as possible. The only problem with Lane Tech is that its students do not always feel heard, thus this year alone Lane Tech has started numerous committees dedicated to voicing the opinions of the student body and bringing problems directly to the administration. I would highly recommend this school to anyone because it serves everyone. My biggest piece of advice is to network and not to prohibit yourself from branching out. Instead, put yourself out there! There will always be a group willing to accept you with open and loving arms.... Read 3,172 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 4,369

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  500 reviews

Sophomore: A wonderful, diverse high school with a caring community that excels in academics. Nothing else to add to that! One criticism: I hoped that they didn't plan to do hybrid learning in March. I feel like it is a waste of time, resources, and effort. We have only a few months left of the 2020-2021 school year and they are planning to bring back students while cases are still rising. Seriously, what's the point and why take the risk?... Read 500 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,097

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  511 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 511 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 2,562

• Student-teacher ratio —

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  396 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved attending and graduating from Maine East! I was the graduating class of 2020 so we did not have an in person graduation but we were offered some fun alternatives which were very inclusive. Maine East is one of the most diverse high schools I've been to. I was so thrilled and excited to see faces of all different races and cultures. This school helps students feel included and important. They offer plenty of sports and club opportunities for many different things, making it a very inclusive environment. They have college/job opportunity help, as well as, research and database help as well. I found the teachers to be very caring and treat students as adults who will be going off to college soon. Teachers were also caring about students personal lives and took that into account when students needed help or just someone to talk to.... Read 396 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 1,887

• Student-teacher ratio —