Top 25 High Schools in Cook County, According to Niche

Choosing the right high school is a pivotal decision in shaping your child’s academic journey and future opportunities. For families in Cook County, finding a high school with top-tier academics, diverse programs and excellent teacher support can make all the difference.

To help parents navigate this decision, Niche, a trusted platform for school rankings and insights, has evaluated the top-performing public high schools in Cook County.

These rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis of factors like teacher quality, state test scores, student-teacher ratios, diversity and more. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

This story was updated on Dec. 2, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. Her work included updating the list with 2025 rankings and adding a graphic of the best public high schools in Cook County. Questions? Email katina@chicagoparent.com.

Best public high schools in Cook County

1. Glenbrook South High School, Glenview (A+)
2. New Trier Township High School, Winnetka (A+)
3. Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook (A+)
4. William Fremd High School, Palatine (A+)
5. James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates (A+)
6. Evanston Township High School, Evanston (A+)
7. Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove (A+)
8. John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights (A+)
9. Prospect High School, Mount Prospect (A+)
10. Niles North High School, Skokie (A+)
11. Lyons Township High School, La Grange (A+)
12. Niles West High School, Skokie (A+)
13. Hoffman Estates High School, Hoffman Estates (A+)
14. Oak Park & River Forest High School, Oak Park (A+)
15. Rolling Meadows High School, Rolling Meadows (A+)
16. Lemont Township High School, Lemont (A+)
17. Schaumburg High School, Schaumburg (A+)
18. Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park (A+)
19. Riverside Brookfield Township High School, Riverside (A)
20. Maine East High School, Park Ridge (A)
21. Lindblom Math & Science Academy High School, Chicago (A)
22. Maine South High School, Park Ridge (A)
23. Palatine High School, Palatine (A)
24. DeVry University Advantage Academy High School, Chicago (A)
25. Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove Village (A)

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