Choosing the right middle school is a crucial decision that can shape your child’s educational journey. In Cook County, some schools stand out with exceptional performance and high rankings.
To help families make informed choices, this list highlighting the best public middle schools in Cook County, 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 elementary schools in Cook County.
Read more: Best Public Middle Schools in Chicagoland
Public middle schools in Cook County
This section features some of the best public middle schools in Cook County and are based on public data, academic performance, community reviews and survey feedback to help families find the right fit.
The Joseph Sears School, Kenilworth
- Address: 542 Abbotsford Road, Kenilworth
- School District: Kenilworth School District 38
- Why It Stands Out: 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.
Wood Oaks Junior High School, Northbrook
- Address: 1250 Sanders Road, Northbrook
- School District: Northbrook School District 27
- Why It Stands Out: Wood Oaks has been recognized twice with the National Blue Ribbon Award (2011 and 2022) and was named the top junior high in Cook County by “Chicago Magazine” in 2018.
The school offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs.
Maple School, Northbrook
- Address: 2374 Shermer Road, Northbrook
- School District: Northbrook/Glenview School District 30
- Why It Stands Out: Maple School has earned two National Blue Ribbon Awards. It serves as the district’s administrative center and has a summer school program for grades preK to grade 8. Notable alumni include MLB player Jason Kipnis and basketball coach Jon Scheyer.
Founded in 1860, the original Maple School was replaced in 1949.
Highcrest Middle School, Wilmette
- Address: 569 Hunter Road, Wilmette
- School District: Wilmette Public Schools District 39
- Why It Stands Out: Highcrest is part of a district with multiple schools designated as “Exemplary” by the Illinois State Board of Education.
The school offers a variety of special education and differentiation programs, helping students for success in high school and beyond.
Roosevelt School, River Forest
- Address: 7560 Oak Ave., River Forest
- School District: River Forest School District 90
- Why It Stands Out: Roosevelt School is known for its academic performance and community involvement.
It offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Sunset Ridge School, Northfield
- Address: 525 Sunset Ridge Road, Northfield
- School District: Sunset Ridge School District 29
- Why It Stands Out: Sunset Ridge School is recognized as the first LEED Platinum public elementary school in Illinois.
The school emphasizes environmental sustainability and has a range of programs to support development.
Northbrook Junior High School, Northbrook
- Address: 1475 Maple Ave., Northbrook
- School District: Northbrook School District 28
- Why It Stands Out: “Northbrook District 28 has been recognized for the 10th straight year by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Northbrook District 28 is one of 29 school districts recognized in the state of Illinois this year, out of a total of 850 school districts across the country,” according to its website.
Northbrook Junior High School offers a variety of extracurricular programs.
Pleasantdale Middle School, Burr Ridge
- Address: 7450 Wolf Road, Burr Ridge
- School District: Pleasantdale School District 107
- Why It Stands Out: Pleasantdale Middle School shines through its community involvement.
The school focuses on providing students with many different avenues to express themselves, such as art, athletics and music.
Central School, Glencoe
- Address: 620 Greenwood Ave., Glencoe
- School District: Glencoe School District 35
- Why It Stands Out: Central School showcases a variety of facilities, including a Crawford Learning Center, Spartan Tech lab, two gyms, fitness center, two auditoriums, and specialized rooms for music, art, and science.
Central School emphasizes a collaborative teaching approach and encourages parent involvement through the Glencoe PTO.
Park Junior High School, La Grange Park
- Address: 325 N. Park Rd., La Grange Park
- School District: La Grange Elementary School District 102
- Why It Stands Out: Park Junior High School is known for its high academic performance, with 70% of students scoring at or above the proficient level in reading.
A standout offering at Park Junior is the Mighty Patriots, “a Special Olympic Basketball Team where general education students and special education students come together to show you the most unbelievable experience ever,” according to its website.
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