In Illinois, your child’s school district can determine their education. And though private schools remain a popular option, public high schools throughout the state offer plenty of free alternatives. With the rise of selective enrollment and charter schools, many public schools now outrank private — even within the city of Chicago.
Taking these all into account, the online education resource Niche has unveiled this year’s list of the best public high schools in Illinois. According to the site, this high school ranking is based on various factors: state test scores, SAT and ACT scores, student-teacher ratios, graduation rates and AP enrollment. Less quantifiable attributes, like school culture, teachers, clubs and sports, were also included, based on parent and student surveys.
Notably, of the top five, three are Chicago Public Schools.
Check out all of the top 20 public Illinois schools for yourself:
1. Payton College Preparatory High School
Chicago, Ill.
2. Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago, Ill.
3. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Aurora, Ill.
4. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Chicago, Ill.
5. University of Illinois High School
Urbana, Ill.
6. Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire, Ill.
7. Jones College Prep High School
Chicago, Ill.
8. Hinsdale Central High School
Hinsdale, Ill.
9. Lane Tech College Prep High School
Chicago, Ill.
10. Glenbrook South High School
Glenview, Ill.
11. Neuqua Valley High School
Naperville, Ill.
12. Glenbrook North High School
Glenview, Ill.
13. William Fremd High School
Palatine, Ill.
14. Vernon Hills High School
Vernon Hills, Ill.
15. New Trier Township High School
Wilmette, Ill.
16. Lake Forest High School
Lake Forest, Ill.
17. Barrington High School
Barrington, Ill.
18. Metea Valley High School
Aurora, Ill.
19. James B. Conant High School
Hoffman Estates, Ill.
20. Glenbard West High School
Glen Ellyn, Ill.