Selecting the right middle school is a pivotal choice for shaping your child’s future. In the Chicago area, certain schools shine for their strong academics, supportive atmospheres and deep community engagement.
To help families make informed choices, this list highlighting the best public middle schools in the Chicago area, uses a combination of publicly available data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau, along with community reviews, survey feedback, and academic performance indicators such as test scores and college readiness.
Read on for our guide to the top public middle schools in Chicagoland.
Want to explore additional middle school options in the Chicago area? Take a look at these related articles:
- Best Public Middle Schools in Cook County
- Best Public Middle Schools in Lake County
- Best Public Middle Schools in DuPage County
Public middle schools in the Chicago area
This section features some of the best public middle schools in Chicagoland and are based on public data, academic performance, community reviews and survey feedback to help families find the right fit.
Kennedy Junior High School, LisleÂ
- Address: 2929 Green Trails Drive, Lisle
- School District: Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203
- Why It Stands Out: Kennedy Junior High is recognized for its academic excellence, earning an A+ rating and top of the list spot.
Established to serve the growing community of Lisle, Kennedy Junior High has been a cornerstone of education in the area, focusing on a well rounded curriculum.
The Joseph Sears School, KenilworthÂ
- Address: 542 Abbotsford Road, Kenilworth
- School District: Kenilworth School District 38
- Why It Stands Out: Renowned for its rigorous academics and commitment to character development, The Joseph Sears School consistently ranks among the top public schools in Illinois. The school emphasizes its Four Cornerstones—Responsibility, Kindness, Honesty and Respect—which are integral to its culture. It has received multiple accolades, including the 2013 Excellent Award from the Illinois State Board of Education and recognition as the top preK–8 suburban public school in Cook County by Chicago Magazine in 2019.
Established in 1899 in a modest one-room building, the school was later renamed in honor of Kenilworth’s founder. It has expanded significantly over the years, maintaining a tradition of excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities.Â
Clarendon Hills Middle School, Clarendon HillsÂ
- Address: 301 Chicago Ave., Clarendon Hills
- School District: Community Consolidated School District 181
- Why It Stands Out: Clarendon Hills Middle School is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School and consistently ranks among the top middle schools in Illinois.
Opened on Aug. 28, 2000, Clarendon Hills Middle School was established following the passage of a referendum in November 1997.Â
Bannockburn School, BannockburnÂ
- Address: 2165 Telegraph Road, Bannockburn
- School District: Bannockburn Elementary School District 106
- Why It Stands Out: Bannockburn School is renowned for its academic excellence, boasting a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 and high proficiency rates in math (67%) and reading (77%).
Established in 1924, Bannockburn School was part of a community development designed for affluent residents. The village was incorporated in 1929, and the school has served as a cornerstone of the community since its inception.
Scullen Middle School, NapervilleÂ
- Address: 2815 Mistflower Lane, Naperville
- School District: Indian Prairie School District 204
- Why It Stands Out: Scullen Middle School is part of a district that has been consistently rated highly for educational excellence.
Opened in 1997, Scullen Middle School is one of the newer additions to Indian Prairie School District 204, which was formed in 1972 through the merger of several districts.Â
Gordon Gregory Middle School, NapervilleÂ
- Address: 2621 Springdale Circle, Naperville
- School District: Indian Prairie School District 204
- Why It Stands Out: Named in honor of Gordon Gregory, a dedicated community member and long-serving school board president, the school emphasizes community involvement and leadership.
The school opened in 1987.
Hinsdale Middle School, HinsdaleÂ
- Address: 100 South Garfield Ave., Hinsdale
- School District: Community Consolidated School District 181
- Why It Stands Out: Hinsdale Middle School has been recognized as one of the best middle schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Public Schools rankings.
As one of the oldest schools in the district, Hinsdale Middle School has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and community involvement.
Clifford Crone Middle School, NapervilleÂ
- Address: 4020 111th St., Naperville
- School District: Indian Prairie School District 204
- Why It Stands Out: Clifford Crone Middle School is known for its commitment to excellence and a lot of extracurricular activities that cater to diverse student interests.
The school’s district was formed in 1972.
Wilbur Wright Middle School, MunsterÂ
- Address: 8650 Columbia Ave., Munster
- School District: School Town of Munster
- Why It Stands Out: Wilbur Wright Middle School is part of a district where all schools have been recognized as Indiana Blue Ribbon schools, highlighting the district’s commitment to educational excellence.
The school has a rich educational history dating back to 1875, with the current middle school serving as a modern continuation of that legacy.
Union Elementary School, JolietÂ
- Address: 1000 Union St., Joliet
- School District: Union School District 81
- Why It Stands Out: Union Elementary School serves as a vital part of the Joliet educational landscape.
Established in the 20th century, Union Elementary School has a long-standing tradition of adapting to meet the educational needs of its students.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
