Best Schools in Cook County, IL
Cook County, IL has 1,736 public schools (215 high, 161 middle, 1,221 elementary) serving 821,208 students. On average they score 37% on state proficiency tests against a projected 27%, so schools in Cook County meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Cook County, IL
The top high schools in Cook County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Young Magnet High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 7 - 12 • 2148 Students
2. Northside College Preparatory Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1040 Students
3. Payton College Preparatory Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1233 Students
4. Lane Technical High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 7 - 12 • 4496 Students
5. Jones College Prep High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1941 Students
6. Glenbrook North High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Glenbrook Hsd 225 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2062 Students
7. Taft High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 7 - 12 • 4464 Students
8. New Trier Township H S Winnetka
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Trier Twp Hsd 203 • Public • Grades 10 - 12 • 2856 Students
9. Hinsdale Central High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Hinsdale Twp Hsd 86 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2472 Students
10. Hancock College Preparatory Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1013 Students
Best Middle Schools in Cook County, IL
The top middle schools in Cook County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Maple School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Northbrook/glenview Sd 30 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 414 Students
2. Wood Oaks Jr High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Northbrook Esd 27 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 475 Students
3. Hickory Creek Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Frankfort Ccsd 157c • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 910 Students
4. Northbrook Junior High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Northbrook Sd 28 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 631 Students
5. Marie Murphy School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Avoca Sd 37 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 276 Students
6. Sunset Ridge Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Sunset Ridge Sd 29 • Public • Grades 4 - 8 • 249 Students
7. Central School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Glencoe Sd 35 • Public • Grades 5 - 8 • 568 Students
8. Highcrest Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wilmette Sd 39 • Public • Grades 5 - 6 • 760 Students
9. Carleton W Washburne School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Winnetka Sd 36 • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 381 Students
10. Hinsdale Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Hinsdale Ccsd 181 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 751 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
The top elementary schools in Cook County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Edison Elem Regional Gifted Cntr
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades KG - 8 • 267 Students
2. Decatur Classical Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades KG - 8 • 323 Students
3. Skinner North Elem Sch
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades KG - 8 • 490 Students
4. Oak Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Hinsdale Ccsd 181 • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 381 Students
5. Hawthorne Elem Scholastic Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades KG - 8 • 604 Students
6. Keller Elem Gifted Magnet School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
City Of Chicago Sd 299 • Public • Grades 1 - 8 • 213 Students
7. Mckenzie Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wilmette Sd 39 • Public • Grades KG - 4 • 444 Students
8. Lincoln Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
River Forest Sd 90 • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 350 Students
9. Field Park Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Western Springs Sd 101 • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 281 Students
10. Greeley Elem School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Winnetka Sd 36 • Public • Grades KG - 4 • 307 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Cook County, IL
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Cook County, IL has a total population of 5,275,541 with 24% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 88%, and 41% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Cook County, IL
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Cook County, IL.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
21.47 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
3.76 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
17.71 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Cook County, IL.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Cook County, IL.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Cook County, IL Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Cook County, IL
How many schools are in Cook County, IL?
Cook County, IL has 1,736 public schools: 215 high schools, 161 middle schools and 1,221 elementary schools, serving 821,208 students in total.
How do schools in Cook County perform on state tests?
On average, 1,736 schools in Cook County score 37% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 27%, so on average schools in Cook County meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Cook County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Cook County, IL
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 60%
- Projected: 40%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 32%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 47%
- Projected: 30%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 35%
- Projected: 31%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 36%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 32%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 50%
- Projected: 33%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 50%
- Projected: 44%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 30%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 46%
- Projected: 27%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Cook County
112 places in Cook County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (112)
- Chicago (591)
- Cicero (17)
- Des Plaines (17)
- Evanston (15)
- Schaumburg (15)
- Palatine (14)
- Skokie (14)
- Arlington Heights (13)
- Berwyn (13)
- Glenview (13)
- Hoffman Estates (13)
- Orland Park (13)
- Calumet City (11)
- Chicago Heights (11)
- Northbrook (11)
- Oak Lawn (11)
- Oak Park (11)
- Tinley Park (11)
- Elk Grove Village (10)
- Oak Forest (10)
- Burbank (9)
- Dolton (9)
- Streamwood (9)
- Blue Island (8)
- Harvey (8)
- Lansing (8)
- Mount Prospect (8)
- Park Ridge (8)
- Alsip (7)
- La Grange (7)
- Northlake (7)
- South Holland (7)
- Wheeling (7)
- Wilmette (7)
- Bellwood (6)
- Evergreen Park (6)
- Hanover Park (6)
- Matteson (6)
- Maywood (6)
- Melrose Park (6)
- Niles (6)
- Palos Heights (6)
- Park Forest (6)
- Rolling Meadows (6)
- Winnetka (6)
- Barrington (5)
- Country Club Hills (5)
- Flossmoor (5)
- Forest Park (5)
- Franklin Park (5)
- Midlothian (5)
- Morton Grove (5)
- Riverdale (5)
- Riverside (5)
- Summit (5)
- Brookfield (4)
- Crestwood (4)
- Elmwood Park (4)
- Glenwood (4)
- Hazel Crest (4)
- Justice (4)
- La Grange Park (4)
- Lemont (4)
- Markham (4)
- Norridge (4)
- Prospect Heights (4)
- Richton Park (4)
- Western Springs (4)
- Bridgeview (3)
- Calumet Park (3)
- Chicago Ridge (3)
- Dixmoor (3)
- Glencoe (3)
- Hickory Hills (3)
- Homewood (3)
- Lincolnwood (3)
- Lyons (3)
- Northfield (3)
- Palos Hills (3)
- River Forest (3)
- Sauk Village (3)
- Schiller Park (3)
- Westchester (3)
- Worth (3)
- Berkeley (2)
- Broadview (2)
- Hillside (2)
- Olympia Fields (2)
- Palos Park (2)
- Posen (2)
- River Grove (2)
- Robbins (2)
- South Chicago Heights (2)
- Stickney (2)
- Bedford Park (1)
- Burnham (1)
- Countryside (1)
- Ford Heights (1)
- Harwood Heights (1)
- Hodgkins (1)
- Hometown (1)
- Kenilworth (1)
- Lynwood (1)
- Merrionette Park (1)
- North Riverside (1)
- Orland Hills (1)
- Phoenix (1)
- Rosemont (1)
- South Barrington (1)
- Stone Park (1)
- Thornton (1)
- Willow Springs (1)
School districts (94)
- Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 (623 schools)
- Schaumburg CCSD 54 (28 schools)
- Palatine CCSD 15 (19 schools)
- Evanston CCSD 65 (16 schools)
- Cicero SD 99 (15 schools)
- Comm Cons SD 59 (15 schools)
- Barrington CUSD 220 (12 schools)
- Wheeling CCSD 21 (12 schools)
- Ccsd 62 (11 schools)
- Cook County SD 130 (11 schools)
- Chicago Heights SD 170 (10 schools)
- Dolton SD 148 (10 schools)
- Oak Park ESD 97 (10 schools)
- Orland SD 135 (10 schools)
- Arlington Heights SD 25 (9 schools)
- Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview 89 (9 schools)
- Berwyn South SD 100 (8 schools)
- Burbank SD 111 (8 schools)
- Dolton SD 149 (8 schools)
- Glenview CCSD 34 (8 schools)
- Park Ridge CCSD 64 (8 schools)
- Prairie-Hills ESD 144 (8 schools)
- Bellwood SD 88 (7 schools)
- East Maine SD 63 (7 schools)
- Kirby SD 140 (7 schools)
- Matteson ESD 162 (7 schools)
- Berkeley SD 87 (6 schools)
- Harvey SD 152 (6 schools)
- Indian Springs SD 109 (6 schools)
- La Grange SD 102 (6 schools)
- Lyons SD 103 (6 schools)
- Oak Lawn-Hometown SD 123 (6 schools)
- Park Forest SD 163 (6 schools)
- Township HSD 214 (6 schools)
- Wilmette SD 39 (6 schools)
- Alsip-Hazlgrn-Oaklwn SD 126 (5 schools)
- Ccsd 146 (5 schools)
- Esd 159 (5 schools)
- Evergreen Park ESD 124 (5 schools)
- Flossmoor SD 161 (5 schools)
- La Grange SD 105 South (5 schools)
- Lansing SD 158 (5 schools)
- Mannheim SD 83 (5 schools)
- North Palos SD 117 (5 schools)
- Posen-Robbins ESD 143-5 (5 schools)
- Ridgeland SD 122 (5 schools)
- Riverside SD 96 (5 schools)
- Summit SD 104 (5 schools)
- Township HSD 211 (5 schools)
- Winnetka SD 36 (5 schools)
- Arbor Park SD 145 (4 schools)
- Berwyn North SD 98 (4 schools)
- Bremen CHSD 228 (4 schools)
- Brookwood SD 167 (4 schools)
- Elmwood Park CUSD 401 (4 schools)
- Forest Park SD 91 (4 schools)
- Forest Ridge SD 142 (4 schools)
- Franklin Park SD 84 (4 schools)
- Midlothian SD 143 (4 schools)
- Mount Prospect SD 57 (4 schools)
- Northbrook SD 28 (4 schools)
- Palos Heights SD 128 (4 schools)
- Prospect Heights SD 23 (4 schools)
- River Trails SD 26 (4 schools)
- Skokie SD 68 (4 schools)
- South Holland SD 151 (4 schools)
- Western Springs SD 101 (4 schools)
- Atwood Heights SD 125 (3 schools)
- Calumet City SD 155 (3 schools)
- Calumet Public SD 132 (3 schools)
- Ccsd 168 (3 schools)
- Chicago Ridge SD 127-5 (3 schools)
- Chsd 218 (3 schools)
- Cons HSD 230 (3 schools)
- Country Club Hills SD 160 (3 schools)
- Glencoe SD 35 (3 schools)
- Homewood SD 153 (3 schools)
- J S Morton HSD 201 (3 schools)
- Lemont-Bromberek CSD 113A (3 schools)
- Lincolnwood SD 74 (3 schools)
- Maine Township HSD 207 (3 schools)
- Northbrook ESD 27 (3 schools)
- Northbrook/Glenview SD 30 (3 schools)
- Palos CCSD 118 (3 schools)
- Proviso Twp HSD 209 (3 schools)
- River Forest SD 90 (3 schools)
- Schiller Park SD 81 (3 schools)
- Skokie SD 69 (3 schools)
- Skokie SD 73-5 (3 schools)
- South Holland SD 150 (3 schools)
- Thornton Twp HSD 205 (3 schools)
- W Harvey-Dixmoor PSD 147 (3 schools)
- Westchester SD 92-5 (3 schools)
- Worth SD 127 (3 schools)