2021 Cook County Best College Prep Schools Ranking

College Prep

268 results

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 3.8 out of 5 127 reviews
#1 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Senior: The teachers and extracurricular activities at the Lab School are top-notch. All of the faculty and staff truly care about their field of study, as well as the wellbeing of their students. Unfortunately, there is a large disconnect between the students and the school administration. Most students and teachers feel that they cannot trust the administration because it is evident that the administration will do anything in its power to reduce costs, even at the expense of the students' education and mental health.
Read 127 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1430 Average SAT
32 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Walter Payton College Prep
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
Rating 4.08 out of 5 378 reviews
#1 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Junior: This school gives people from all over the city of Chicago access to so many amazing resources. The course selection is also diverse and allows you to really pursue the subjects you are passionate about. However, there are disparities in proficiency and participation in relation to race and gender. This issue needs to be resolved in the curriculum, culture, and resources available to students that belong to marginalized communities. Overall the school seems like good preparation for entrance into college and the workforce. Thanks to newer equity driven initiatives, there will be big changes in order to support all students socially and academically.
Read 378 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1400 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
Rating 4.03 out of 5 576 reviews
#2 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Senior: I am very lucky to attend Northside College Prep. Starting high school was a difficult transition- I had attended the same elementary school my entire life, so I had zero experience starting at a new school. However, I was lucky enough to find my niche. I joined the cross country team, and it was the best decision I could have made. I started the school year knowing people, which made the transition easier, and I found a hobby that I am passionate about. The best part about Northside is that it has a smaller community for everyone. I have found my place on the cross country and track teams; in the journalism class; and in the environmental club. There are places for everyone! From anime club, to the basketball team, to theater programs, Northside offers opportunities for everyone. Like any other school, Northside has its fair share of issues, but it provides countless opportunities for anything you might be interested in.
Read 576 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1380 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Latin School of Chicago
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.04 out of 5 109 reviews
#2 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Freshman: I have been here for a while and the school is very intriguing. Latin's academics are great, and have helped me in many ways to learn things that I have not been able to understand in previous schools. My only problem is that the social scene is a little bit cliquey and students (including myself occasionally) feel obligated to be sad about being left out. This includes parties of about twenty to thirty kids every weekend that is streamed on social media so others can see. Some students also participate in alcohol and e-cigarette behavior, although that is a minority, it usually is the kids at the parties. But otherwise, I love Latin and I am proud to be a Roman!
Read 109 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1370 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
7-12
Rating 4.14 out of 5 1,108 reviews
#3 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Senior: I love this school! I feel like there is a place for everyone, whether you are interested in sports, art, theater, or academic competitions. One of our flaws is that even though we have all of these programs, the basketball and football team are shown a lot of favoritism. This is something that has been improved in the time that I have attended Whitney Young, but it is still noticeable. The teachers and staff are mostly amazing! My teachers junior year especially were extremely supportive and easy to talk to. It made the stress of standardized testing and maintaining grades much easier to bear. If I was able to choose where my sister went to high school, I would bring her to Whitney Young without hesitation.
Read 1,108 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1340 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
North Shore Country Day School
Private School
Winnetka, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.27 out of 5 64 reviews
#3 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Senior: North Shore is by no doubt an amazing school. While it is small and a bit sheltered, the school culture promotes independence and hard work in their students through rigorous courses and workloads. The school also requires its students to participate in the performing arts and athletics, which allows many students to be forced to develop their leadership skills and personality. MANY of the teachers are of high quality, compassionate, and care about developing relationships with their students. The humanities department is significantly more developed and better than that of STEM. STEM classes only prove to be worth it if it is an AP or required course. I wish North Shore would do better at is encouraging their students to take higher-level courses. The administration will usually discourage their students from taking AP classes based on their previous courses, and make it seem like the students aren't capable of taking all AP classes if they want to, nor do they even allow them to.
Read 64 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1420 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
St. Ignatius College Prep
Private School
Chicago, IL
9-12
Rating 4.01 out of 5 365 reviews
#4 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Freshman: I just started at Ignatius this year, and even with the pandemic, I am having a great time. For one thing, the school takes safety very seriously and has taken the right precautions while still allowing students to have the high school experience. All my teachers have been great and, even when we’re elearning, make the time spent in class enjoyable. I have an awesome counselor who has helped me with everything and is always available to talk. Despite the circumstances, I have been able to participate in sports and watch my friends in theirs. Ignatius has a wide variety of extracurriculars that stay true to their descriptions. We utilize Quest as our food source and they always have great options! Ignatius has really focused on educating staff and students on racism/bigotry this year with Ignatian Value Days. We focus on current events around this issue and discuss - learning how we can be allies for people of color. Overall, I love everything about this exceptional school.
Read 365 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1330 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
Jones College Prep High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
Rating 3.93 out of 5 687 reviews
#4 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Senior: Jones is a very good high school. It's academically challenging while still providing necessary arts. It has great opportunities for enhancing learning! It's centered in downtown Chicago so the scenery, as well as the surrounding places, is nice. Though not everything is as great as it seems, it's still a great school overall. The teachers are very supportive and you get to meet people from all over Chicago!
Read 687 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1320 Average SAT
29 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Francis W. Parker School
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.17 out of 5 58 reviews
#5 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Senior: I have had an awesome experience at Francis W Parker. Teachers at Parker are creative (and free to make their own curricula because of Parker's progressive philosophy) and teach students mind-blowing ideas, along with critical thinking skills.
However, the unavoidable smallness of each class makes some students too comfortable with one another - everyone knows everything about everyone. Additionally, many reputations stick from middle school.
Yet the education, especially in history and English classes, is great. Parker has, however, been trying to improve their STEM classes - they finally introduced higher-level math courses into middle school curricula, and now high schoolers must take computer programming/coding for at least one year.
Recently, because the administration in the high school has been changing for around 5 years now, some students feel that they have less influence in school processes than they used to.
Overall, though, definitely come to Parker!
Read 58 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1420 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
New Trier Township High School
New Trier Township High School District No. 203, IL
10-12
Rating 4.03 out of 5 543 reviews
#5 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Senior: New Trier is among the highest performing high schools of the country, however that comes with its downsides. While the teachers and students are incredibly gifted and driven, there is absolutely a significant amount of stress that follows. The pressure at New Trier to succeed at the same level of one's classmates is ever present. Although there is danger in the comparison among students, the staff is wonderfully equipped to tend to each students individual needs. It also tends to be an inclusive environment for students of all abilities, which is unique for most high schools!
Read 543 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1340 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL
9-12
Rating 4.17 out of 5 431 reviews
#6 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
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 431 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1330 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Beacon Academy
Private School
Evanston, IL
9-12
Rating 4.55 out of 5 22 reviews
#6 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Parent: In our third year at Beacon, we couldn't be happier with the balance of real academic, intellectual curiosity and a supportive environment for students. Gone are the days of "skill and drill" and being lectured AT! The first two years at Beacon lay a solid foundation for learning, i.e., reading literature with an emphasis on writing style and interpretation of texts in contemporary and modern settings. These critical years of deep learning in a Montessori setting of dialogue and engagement allowed our child to enter her IB curriculum confidently. Students have robust relationships with teachers. Interdisciplinary learning is fundamental to a Beacon education. Learning to deconstruct text in literature naturally lends itself to knowing how to tackle science experiments, i.e., starting with questions/hypotheses, then moving into discovery of new data/facts. A Beacon education is true college prep; students are prepared for the demands of college and embrace opportunities.
Read 22 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1340 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
Christian Heritage Academy
Private School
Northfield, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.65 out of 5 78 reviews
#7 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Parent: The 2019-20 year was our children’s first at Christian Heritage Academy (K, 1st, 4th & 6th) and we were warmly welcomed and embraced by families and teachers! CHA embodies Christian education that is excellent, robust, and vibrant.

From a leadership standpoint, those who serve in administration are exceptionally strong listeners and extraordinary examples of what it means to live by high standards of integrity.

The teachers and staff are truly enthusiastic about teaching, and consider their positions as high callings. They encourage students to discover and apply truth, knowledge, and godly wisdom to life. The teachers train students "how to be” (character development, community service, and compassion) as well as "how to work” and "how to achieve."

The most rewarding aspect of CHA is the partnership between the families, school, and churches. We love its strong spirit of camaraderie and the familial sense of love, care, and encouragement!
Read 78 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1400 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
British International School of Chicago, South Loop
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.13 out of 5 24 reviews
#8 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Parent: We are very happy with our experience at the British School Chicago South Loop thus far. Our children attend the primary (elementary) school. They are enjoying their academic studies, love the arts/music/physical education curriculum, and are amazed by all the after-school opportunities. They truly enjoy their teachers and classmates. The school appears to tackle difficult topics forthright and the communication is very good. When re-enrollement time came, the kids themselves declared that they wanted to be at this school!
Read 24 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1320 Average SAT
28 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
William Fremd High School
Township High School District No. 211, IL
9-12
Rating 3.98 out of 5 598 reviews
#7 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Senior: FREMD is an amazing High School in Palatine, IL. All students are very driven and encourage each other academically. We have variety of sports, after school activities, plenty of ways to get not only involved in volunteering activities but also enjoy different interests via after school clubs and organizations. The teachers are high class educators who care about their students and their success. Safety is always a priority at FREMD!
Read 598 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1330 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
Private School
Deerfield, IL
9-12
Rating 4.33 out of 5 45 reviews
#9 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Parent: The personal relationship with the teachers are one of a kind! I can begin to say how much I appreciate how much the teachers dedication to their students. My children’s education is incomparable. My son graduated with such depth and breath of knowledge. My daughter is one her way to the same quality education. Proud to support this wonderful school.
Read 45 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1390 Average SAT
31 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Glenbrook South High School
Glenbrook High Schools District 225, IL
9-12
Rating 4.24 out of 5 516 reviews
#8 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
Alum: My experience at Glenbrook South High School was extremely memorable and meaningful for these past four years! I made a few close-knit friends and became interested in both academics and extra-curricular, especially with clubs. Most of my teachers were invested and interested in the classes they taught and their students as well. Thank you, GBS for a great time.
Read 516 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1300 Average SAT
29 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Roycemore School
Private School
Evanston, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.56 out of 5 136 reviews
#10 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Works Here: When I was looking for a new job as a Middle School Division Head at an independent school. I came across Royemore School in my search. As I studied the website, I learned about the culture of design thinking as part of the Personal Passion Project (P3), I watched several student-centered videos showcasing the focus on each individual student at Roycemore, and I read NICHE reviews that also addressed the remarkable student-centered approach, the rigorous, differentiated academics, and the core values that aligned so closely with my own core values.
I was fortunate enough to be hired as MS Division Head for the 20/21 school year and have found that Roycemore is everything it portrays itself as and MORE! Roycemore offers more connection between home & school, more agency and voice for students, more collaboration among faculty, and more love and caring for all members of our school community than I ever thought possible.
Roycemore is someplace special.
Read 136 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1350 Average SAT
28 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
Northridge Preparatory School
Private School
Niles, IL
6-12
Rating 4.32 out of 5 56 reviews
#11 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Senior: Small classroom sizes that are one on one, highly qualified staff who do their best to help their students excel. A robust athletics program for serious athletes, and a rigorous curriculum for those studious enough to step up to the challenge. Finally, a Harry Potter-like take to student government, the Halls. One where festivals occur often, and the ones who garner the most points win prizes. Northridge Preparatory School allows its students to form a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood unlike any other, and it has a safety net for all ssorts and kinds of students. Truly, the best of humanity.
Read 56 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1330 Average SAT
29 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Lycée Français de Chicago
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 3.85 out of 5 13 reviews
#12 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Alum: I attended the Lycée from pre-K through twelfth grade. Now, with a year of college under my belt, I am overall very grateful for my time there. The teachers were like family, as were your peers, since it was a small and tight-knit community. Be assured, it's a very heavy and at time grueling workload, especially for an American student who didn't speak French at home. But the feeling at graduation, exams done, celebrating with your best friends, teachers, mentors, and family, is irreplaceable!
Read 13 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1400 Average SAT
30 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Loyola Academy
Private School
Wilmette, IL
9-12
Rating 4.04 out of 5 283 reviews
#13 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Senior: I loved my four years at Loyola Academy. From my first fall quarter, I found that I was welcomed with open arms and Was quickly warmed up to the high school experience. Through the years, I have had the privilege of making lifelong friends and having unforgettable teachers. I will never forget my summer service project or any of my teammates and peers from clubs and athletics. The one thing I will say to anyone considering Loyola is that getting involved in something, anything, right away is such a big boost socially. Try something new! Just know these four years are special and I’m sad to see them come to an end but I am prepared and ready for life in college.
Read 283 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1350 Average SAT
29 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Lane Tech College Prep High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
7-12
Rating 4.18 out of 5 3,098 reviews
#9 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
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 3,098 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1280 Average SAT
28 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Fenwick High School
Private School
Oak Park, IL
9-12
Rating 4.24 out of 5 181 reviews
#14 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Alum: Attending Fenwick High School was the best choice my mom could have made. I am a Chicago resident. The best schools in the city are only attainable by the "selective enrollment" process. Yes, I tested into one of the top schools and even attended a program for incoming Freshman students. After weighing the options, my mother chose Fenwick. Fenwick provided a great learning environment. It's a smaller school with a better teacher-student ratio. Everyone knows one another. It feels like a family atmosphere and no one got lost in the cracks. I feel like my class started together and not that it was easy for everyone but we worked hard and we finished together. I'm forever a Fenwick Friar!
Read 181 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1250 Average SAT
29 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Morgan Park Academy
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.4 out of 5 97 reviews
#15 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Cook County
Senior: The Morgan Park Academy community is one that any student would feel more than comfortable being in. I began my journey at MPA my freshman year and my biggest concern was "fitting in" as I thought that I would be at a disadvantage since some of my classmates would have already known each other from middle school. I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only was the faculty inviting but the students were so welcoming and made my transition into a new environment seamless. It didn't take long at all to call the school a second home as I immediately made friendships and built connections with my teachers. If I were to choose one thing that I love about MPA the most, it would probably be the classes. Class sizes are small and teachers make an effort to make their classrooms and curriculum appealing to the students. Comfortable seating, essential oil diffusers, candy jars, Smartboards...the lengths that the faculty goes for the students to actually want to be in a classroom is remarkable!
Read 97 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1310 Average SAT
26 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
John Hersey High School
Township High School District No. 214, IL
9-12
Rating 4.11 out of 5 328 reviews
#10 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Cook County
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 328 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
College Prep
1300 Average SAT
29 Average ACT
View Nearby Homes
Sponsored
Christian Heritage Academy
Private School
Northfield, IL
PK, K-12
Rating 4.65 out of 5 78 reviews
Parent: The 2019-20 year was our children’s first at Christian Heritage Academy (K, 1st, 4th & 6th) and we were warmly welcomed and embraced by families and teachers! CHA embodies Christian education that is excellent, robust, and vibrant.

From a leadership standpoint, those who serve in administration are exceptionally strong listeners and extraordinary examples of what it means to live by high standards of integrity.

The teachers and staff are truly enthusiastic about teaching, and consider their positions as high callings. They encourage students to discover and apply truth, knowledge, and godly wisdom to life. The teachers train students "how to be” (character development, community service, and compassion) as well as "how to work” and "how to achieve."

The most rewarding aspect of CHA is the partnership between the families, school, and churches. We love its strong spirit of camaraderie and the familial sense of love, care, and encouragement!
Read 78 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
405 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour
- 2021 Most Diverse Public Elementary Schools
- 2021 Best Teachers
- 2021 Best Public High Schools for STEM
Review Your School
Sponsored
KIPP DC Spring Academy Public Charter School
1-4
grade B+
Overall Niche Grade
411 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Sponsored
GCE Lab School
Private School
Chicago, IL
9-12
Rating 4.89 out of 5 27 reviews
Parent: GCE Lab school has truly been a God send for our family. It’s not a traditional school by any means. They’re project based model of learning is innovative and interesting they attend countless Field Experiences that have given my son a real life view on issues he will face as an adult. I’ve attended many of the FE’s along with him and I always come back enlightened and excited about what they’re learning. They empower their students to be an active participate to come up with solutions for real world issue and they tie it into their curriculum of science, math, humanities etc. I can’t say enough great things about GCE. The advantage of attending such a small school is the one on one attention and solid relationships you’re child is able to develop with teachers and staff. They know my son so well and they care about him. You’re not just a student ID number at GCE!
Read 27 Reviews
grade A
Overall Niche Grade
51 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Virtual Tour