First-time parent and don’t know where to start with Chicago’s school placement process? Or, maybe you’re new to the city and aren’t quite familiar with the area yet. Either way, the upcoming school year is quickly approaching, which is why we put together a list of the top schools in Chicago. Whether you’re looking into public schools for your 2nd grader or the private alternative for your 9th grader, there are plenty of great education options in this incredible city. Keep reading for some brief but helpful information about a few of the top schools Chicago has to offer.
Preparing For The Process
The selection process for the top schools in Chicago is infamous for being nerve-wracking, grueling, and confusing. There are hundreds of schools throughout the city, but admission into many of them, especially the elite, isn’t guaranteed. This can be intimidating to those from smaller towns who are accustomed to an automatic placement process. In Chicago, the selection process and attendance requirements vary between each specific school. For example, some institutions select students through a computerized lottery while others follow a strict point system. Here is a helpful document that lays out the eligibility criteria and admittance systems for all of the Chicago Public Schools. Below, we gathered a few reasons why these schools are some of the best in the city.
Lincoln Park High School
Location: Lincoln Park, 60614
Student Body: 2206
Grade Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Average Graduation Rate: 93%
Unique Features: Four separate programs within the curriculum: Honors/double honors, International Baccalaureate, Fine Arts/Performing Arts, neighborhood public school
Alcott College Prep
Location: Roscoe Village, 60618
Student Body: 345
Grade Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Average Graduation Rate: 90%
Unique Features: Small student body allows higher engagement between students and teachers
Mather High School
Location: West Ridge, 60659
Student Body: 1607
Grades Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Average Graduation Rate: 94%
Unique Features: Diverse, hosts annual Ethnic Fest
Francis Parker School
Location: Lincoln Park, 60614
Student Body: 935
Grades Level: PK, K-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
Average Graduation Rate: n/a, 99% attend college
Unique Features: Private school, creativity encouraged, STEM classes, high community engagement, ranked #5 best private school in Illinois
Oscar Mayer Magnet School
Location: Lincoln Park, 60614
Student Body: 735
Grades Level: PK, K-8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Average Graduation Rate: n/a
Unique Features: The Montessori Approach, high community engagement
Walter Payton College Prep
Location: Old Town, 60610
Student Body: 977
Grades Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Average Graduation Rate: 99%
Unique Features: Ranked #9 high school in the nation 2019, #1 in Illinois, daily “enrichment” time for students to participate in various activities, Seminar Program every other week
Lincoln Elementary School
Location: Lincoln Park, 60614
Student Body: 936
Grades Level: K-8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Average Graduation Rate: n/a
Unique Features: History fair, exchange trips, Serendipity Day
Prescott Magnet Cluster School
Location: Lincoln Park, 60614
Student Body: 465
Grades Level: PK, K-8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Average Graduation Rate: n/a
Unique Features: Diverse, focused on creativity, writing, and literature, high community engagement
Noble Street College Prep
Location: West Town, 60642
Student Body: 687
Grades Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Average Graduation Rate: 90%
Unique Features: Summer of a Lifetime Program, Global Glimpse
Holy Trinity High School
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Location: West Town, 60642
Student Body: 350
Grades Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Average Graduation Rate: 100%, 100% college or career program acceptance
Unique Features: Private school, diverse, high student to teacher engagement, highly dedicated staff
Mitchell Elementary School
Location: West Town, 60612
Student Body: 381
Grades Level: PK, K-8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Average Graduation Rate: n/a
Unique Features: Extracurricaluar activities, high community engagement, dance classes from Hubbard Street Dance Company, Mandarin language classes offered
Whitney Young Magnet High School
Location: Near West Side, 60607
Student Body: 2212
Grades Level: 7-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Average Graduation Rate: 96%
Unique Features: New improvements in athletic facilities, Italian language classes offered
Lane Tech College Prep
Location: Roscoe Village, 60618
Student Body: 4552
Grades Level: 7-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Average Graduation Rate: 97%
Unique Features: Ranked #3 high school in Illinois, off-campus lunch,“iDays” and “iNights”
Northside College Prep
Location: North Park, 60625
Student Body: 1087
Grades Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Average Graduation Rate: 98%
Unique Features: Ranked #2 high school in Illinois, Colloquia, highly dedicated staff, particularly counseling
Jones College Prep
Location: Printer’s Row/The Loop, 60605
Student Body: 1980
Grades Level: 9-12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Average Graduation Rate: 95%
Unique Features: Ranked #5 high school in Illinois, Freshman Connection, ACE Mentors
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