Best Illinois Public Schools (2026)

Illinois is the #4 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,845,447 students across the 4,392 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 252,125 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.

The percentage of students achieving in Illinois is 27%. The percentage of students achieving is 30%.

The top-ranked public schools in Illinois are Illinois Mathematics And Science, Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, and Northside College Preparatory High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.

There are 260 Blue Ribbon Schools, 23 magnet schools, 135 charter schools, and 227 special education schools.

Minority enrollment is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview

This State (IL)

# Schools

4,392 Schools

# Students

1,845,447 Students

View Data

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Public School
Year	Illinois
2017	591
2016	595
2015	601
2014	599
2013	595
2012	603
2011	601
2010	603
2009	634
2008	608
2007	616
2006	617
2005	622
2004	626
2003	627
2002	619
2001	609
2000	593
1999	593
1998	600
1997	591
1996	593
1995	585
1994	579
1993	584
1992	573
1991	567
1990	555
1989	566
1988	562
1987	567

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Gender %

# Teachers

136,636 Teachers

View Data

Trends in the Average Number of Teachers Per Public School
Year	Illinois
2017	88
2016	89
2015	90
2014	85
2013	100
2012	88
2011	88
2010	92
2009	91
2008	80
2007	85
2006	89
2005	88
2004	85
2003	84
2002	84
2001	80
2000	81
1999	78
1998	78
1997	76
1996	75
1995	75
1994	70
1993	76
1992	73
1991	73
1990	70
1989	74
1988	73
1987	75

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Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (1987-2023)
Year	Illinois
2023	14:1
2022	14:1
2021	15:1
2020	15:1
2019	15:1
2018	16:1
2017	15:1
2016	16:1
2015	16:1
2014	16:1
2013	13:1
2012	16:1
2011	16:1
2010	16:1
2009	16:1
2008	18:1
2007	17:1
2006	16:1
2005	16:1
2004	17:1
2003	16:1
2002	16:1
2001	16:1
2000	16:1
1999	16:1
1998	17:1
1997	17:1
1996	17:1
1995	17:1
1994	18:1
1993	18:1
1992	17:1
1991	17:1
1990	18:1
1989	18:1
1988	18:1
1987	18:1

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Illinois
Pre-K	79,636
Kind	120,706
1	125,870
2	131,861
3	130,286
4	130,302
5	129,874
6	132,144
7	135,651
8	137,576
9	149,468
10	150,499
11	146,819
12	144,755

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="state-rank">State Acdeamy

State Average (IL)

27%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	27%
2021	28%
2019	33%
2018	32%
2017	32%
2016	31%
2015	29%
2014	59%
2013	58%
2012	80%
2011	80%

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34%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	34%
2022	30%
2021	32%
2019	38%
2018	37%
2017	38%
2016	36%
2015	38%
2014	57%
2013	58%
2012	75%

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51%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	51%
2022	50%

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87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	87%
2022	87%
2018	87%
2017	87%
2016	85%
2015	85%
2014	86%
2013	83%
2012	82%
2011	83%

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Eligible for

43%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	43%
2022	43%
2021	44%
2020	47%
2019	47%
2018	46%
2017	46%
2016	47%
2015	52%
2014	47%
2013	45%
2012	21%
2011	39%
2010	37%
2009	33%
2008	32%
2007	32%
2006	32%
2005	32%
2004	31%
2003	30%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	4%
2022	4%
2021	4%
2020	2%
2019	2%
2018	4%
2017	4%
2016	3%
2015	2%
2014	3%
2013	5%
2012	27%
2011	5%
2010	6%
2009	6%
2008	6%
2007	6%
2006	6%
2005	5%
2004	5%
2003	5%

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:

0.69

View Data

Diversity Score Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	0.70
2022	0.68
2021	0.68
2020	0.68
2019	0.68
2018	0.67
2017	0.67
2016	0.67
2015	0.67
2014	0.66
2013	0.66
2012	0.65
2011	0.66
2010	0.64
2009	0.64
2008	0.64
2007	0.63
2006	0.61
2005	0.61
2004	0.60
2003	0.59
2002	0.59
2001	0.58
2000	0.57
1999	0.56
1998	0.56
1997	0.54
1996	0.53
1995	0.53
1994	0.52
1993	0.52
1992	0.52
1991	0.52

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# American Indian Students

4,553 Students

% American Indian Students

n/a

# Asian Students

103,627 Students

% Asian Students

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	6%
2022	5%
2021	5%
2020	5%
2019	5%
2018	5%
2017	5%
2016	5%
2015	6%
2014	5%
2013	5%
2012	4%
2011	5%
2010	5%
2009	5%
2008	5%
2007	5%
2006	5%
2005	5%
2004	4%
2003	4%
2002	4%
2001	4%
2000	3%
1999	3%
1998	3%
1997	3%
1996	3%
1995	3%
1994	3%
1993	3%
1992	3%
1991	3%

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# Hispanic Students

517,372 Students

% Hispanic Students

28%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	27%
2022	27%
2021	27%
2020	26%
2019	26%
2018	26%
2017	26%
2016	26%
2015	25%
2014	25%
2013	24%
2012	24%
2011	23%
2010	22%
2009	22%
2008	21%
2007	20%
2006	19%
2005	18%
2004	18%
2003	17%
2002	16%
2001	15%
2000	15%
1999	14%
1998	13%
1997	13%
1996	12%
1995	12%
1994	11%
1993	11%
1992	10%
1991	10%

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# Black Students

303,096 Students

% Black Students

17%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	17%
2022	17%
2021	17%
2020	17%
2019	17%
2018	17%
2017	17%
2016	17%
2015	17%
2014	17%
2013	18%
2012	18%
2011	18%
2010	20%
2009	20%
2008	20%
2007	20%
2006	20%
2005	20%
2004	21%
2003	21%
2002	21%
2001	21%
2000	21%
1999	21%
1998	21%
1997	20%
1996	21%
1995	20%
1994	21%
1993	21%
1992	21%
1991	21%

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# White Students

836,407 Students

% White Students

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	45%
2022	47%
2021	47%
2020	48%
2019	48%
2018	49%
2017	49%
2016	49%
2015	49%
2014	50%
2013	50%
2012	51%
2011	51%
2010	53%
2009	53%
2008	54%
2007	55%
2006	56%
2005	57%
2004	57%
2003	58%
2002	59%
2001	60%
2000	61%
1999	62%
1998	63%
1997	64%
1996	64%
1995	65%
1994	65%
1993	65%
1992	66%
1991	66%

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# Hawaiian Students

1,684 Students

% Hawaiian Students

n/a

# Two or more races Students

78,052 Students

% of Two or more races Students

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	4%
2022	4%
2021	4%
2020	4%
2019	4%
2018	3%
2017	3%
2016	3%
2015	3%
2014	3%
2013	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="state-revenue-and-spending">State Revenue and Spending

This State (IL)

Total Revenue

$41,381 MM

View Data

Median Total Revenues Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	$15 MM
2022	$14 MM
2021	$15 MM
2020	$14 MM
2019	$14 MM
2018	$15 MM
2017	$13 MM
2016	$12 MM
2015	$10 MM
2014	$12 MM
2012	$11 MM
2011	$11 MM
2010	$10 MM
2009	$10 MM
2008	$9 MM
2007	$9 MM
2006	$8 MM
2005	$8 MM
2004	$8 MM
2003	$7 MM
2002	$8 MM
2001	$7 MM
2000	$7 MM
1999	$7 MM
1998	$6 MM
1997	$5 MM
1996	$5 MM
1995	$5 MM

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Spending

$39,976 MM

View Data

Median Total Expenditures Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	$14 MM
2022	$14 MM
2021	$14 MM
2020	$14 MM
2019	$13 MM
2018	$14 MM
2017	$12 MM
2016	$12 MM
2015	$11 MM
2014	$12 MM
2012	$11 MM
2011	$11 MM
2010	$11 MM
2009	$10 MM
2008	$9 MM
2007	$9 MM
2006	$8 MM
2005	$8 MM
2004	$8 MM
2003	$8 MM
2002	$8 MM
2001	$7 MM
2000	$7 MM
1999	$6 MM
1998	$6 MM
1997	$5 MM
1996	$5 MM
1995	$5 MM

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Revenue / Student

$22,423

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	$17,333
2022	$19,707
2021	$17,764
2020	$19,707
2019	$17,662
2018	$19,255
2017	$17,801
2016	$14,596
2015	$11,118
2014	$13,203
2012	$11,701
2011	$11,859
2010	$11,118
2009	$10,546
2008	$11,298
2007	$10,143
2006	$9,054
2005	$9,158
2004	$8,999
2003	$8,614
2002	$8,976
2001	$8,649
2000	$8,451
1999	$7,697
1998	$5,971
1997	$5,662
1995	$5,677
1992	$4,514

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Spending / Student

$21,662

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Illinois
2023	$16,251
2022	$19,097
2021	$16,655
2020	$19,097
2019	$17,005
2018	$18,215
2017	$17,235
2016	$14,516
2015	$11,218
2014	$12,904
2012	$11,755
2011	$11,220
2010	$11,218
2009	$10,416
2008	$10,971
2007	$9,827
2006	$8,997
2005	$9,234
2004	$9,089
2003	$9,395
2002	$9,305
2001	$8,562
2000	$8,142
1999	$7,325
1998	$5,848
1997	$5,503
1995	$5,507
1992	$4,672

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<�鶹��ý class="list-title center">Best Illinois Public Schools by County (2026)

County

# Schools

# Students

% Minority

Adams County

8,779

20%

Alexander County

609

54%

Bond County

1,999

12%

Boone County

8,981

51%

Brown County

690

Bureau County

4,582

24%

Calhoun County

589

Carroll County

1,971

13%

Cass County

2,156

54%

Champaign County

25,404

54%

4,937

2,465

2,120

4,726

10%

Coles County

5,974

20%

Cook County

1,386

684,115

76%

Crawford County

2,715

Cumberland County

1,484

De Witt County

2,304

13%

Dekalb County

16,209

41%

Douglas County

3,023

20%

Dupage County

279

141,513

51%

2,659

820

5,070

2,888

2,491

16%

5,570

5,237

687

1,728

12,208

28%

1,115

2,789

534

760

7,866

18%

Iroquois County

3,865

20%

Jackson County

6,875

44%

Jasper County

1,189

Jefferson County

5,325

25%

Jersey County

2,608

Jo Daviess County

3,050

14%

Johnson County

1,895

Kane County

158

88,631

62%

Kankakee County

16,246

48%

Kendall County

24,236

49%

Knox County

6,392

31%

Lake County

221

126,347

57%

Lasalle County

15,041

29%

Lawrence County

1,949

Lee County

3,838

17%

Livingston County

4,902

17%

Logan County

3,467

13%

Macon County

14,698

45%

Macoupin County

7,138

Madison County

37,485

31%

Marion County

6,311

18%

Marshall County

1,934

Mason County

2,251

Massac County

2,083

20%

Mcdonough County

3,204

22%

Mchenry County

51,992

35%

Mclean County

23,852

38%

Menard County

1,732

Mercer County

3,048

10%

Monroe County

5,036

Montgomery County

3,869

Morgan County

4,430

21%

Moultrie County

1,377

Ogle County

8,357

26%

Peoria County

25,690

54%

Perry County

2,614

11%

2,696

2,438

478

771

45%

Putnam County

766

16%

Randolph County

3,930

15%

Richland County

2,182

Rock Island County

21,218

54%

Saline County

3,679

15%

Sangamon County

27,457

38%

Schuyler County

945

12%

Scott County

737

Shelby County

2,476

St. Clair County

39,299

56%

Stark County

863

Stephenson County

5,940

39%

Tazewell County

19,033

12%

Union County

2,365

14%

Vermilion County

11,158

38%

Wabash County

1,559

Warren County

2,295

35%

1,758

2,421

2,196

8,411

28%

Will County

203

116,475

55%

Williamson County

9,716

19%

Winnebago County

43,614

57%

Woodford County

5,847

10%

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Illinois?

The top-ranked public schools in Illinois include Illinois Mathematics And Science, Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School, and Northside College Preparatory High School.

How many public schools are located in Illinois?

4,392 public schools are located in Illinois.

What percentage of students in Illinois go to public school?

88% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).

What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?

Minority enrollment in Illinois is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic.

Which public schools in Illinois are often viewed compared to one another?

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