Top 25 Public Middle Schools in Cook County, According to Niche

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.

Using a comprehensive analysis of factors like teacher quality, state test scores, student-teacher ratios, and diversity, Niche has identified the top public middle schools in Cook County. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

This story was updated on Nov. 25, 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 middle schools in Cook County. Questions? Email katina@chicagoparent.com. 

Best public middle schools in Cook County

1. The Joseph Sears School, Kenilworth (A+)
2. Wood Oaks Junior High School, Northbrook (A)
3. Maple School, Northbrook (A)
4. Highcrest Middle School, Wilmette (A)
5. Roosevelt School, River Forest (A)
6. Sunset Ridge Elementary School, Northfield (A)
7. Northbrook Junior High School, Northbrook (A)
8. Pleasantdale Middle School, Burr Ridge (A)
9. Central School, Glencoe (A)
10. Park Junior High School, La Grange Park (A)
11. Field School, Northbrook (A)
12. Fairview South School, Skokie (A)
13. Wilmette Junior High School, Wilmette (A)
14. Highlands Middle School, La Grange Highlands (A)
15. Barrington Middle School – Prairie Campus, Barrington (A)
16. The Skokie School, Winnetka (A)
17. Marie Murphy School, Wilmette (A)
18. Carleton W. Washburne School, Winnetka (A)
19. Barrington Middle School – Station Campus, Barrington (A)
20. East Prairie Elementary School, Skokie (A)
21. McClure Junior High School, Western Springs (A)
22. Palos South Middle School, Palos Park (A)
23. L.J. Hauser Junior High School, Riverside (A)
24. Park View Elementary School, Morton Grove (A)
25. Margaret Mead Junior High School, Elk Grove Village (A)

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