Chicago High Schools Rank Among Nation’s Best

News Summary

The latest U.S. News & World Report ranking highlights three Chicago high schools in the top 100 nationwide for academic excellence. Payton College Preparatory leads at 32nd, followed by Northside College Prep at 40th and Lane Tech at 72nd. These rankings reflect significant improvements in educational standards in Illinois, now ranked 22nd nationally, showcasing the commitment of students and educators to academic success and college readiness.

Chicago – U.S. News & World Report has released its Best High Schools 2025-2026 rankings, highlighting three high schools from Chicago that have made it into the top 100 nationally. This year, over 24,000 public high schools were evaluated based on a range of performance metrics, including state assessment scores and college preparation initiatives, placing Illinois as the 22nd best state overall—an improvement from 24th last year.

Among the top-ranking high schools in Chicago, Payton College Preparatory High School claimed the highest position at 32nd nationally. Following closely behind, Northside College Preparatory High School secured the 40th spot, while Lane Technical High School ranked 72nd. Notably, no suburban schools from the Chicago area made it into the top 100, with the highest-ranking institution outside the city being Aurora’s Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, which ranked 120th.

The rankings are determined through six key performance indicators, which assess critical aspects of each school’s achievements. These metrics include:

• Student achievement on state-required assessments
• Graduation rates
• College readiness measures, focusing on Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) participation and performance

This evaluation methodology was developed in partnership with RTI International and is based on comprehensive data from the 2022-2023 school year. The analysis aims to provide a balanced overview of high school performance across various domains, catering to both traditional school types as well as specialized STEM and charter institutions.

In the broader context of educational performance, Illinois has seen fluctuations in its ranking over the previous years. Rising from 24th to 22nd indicates a positive trend within the state’s educational system, reflecting improvements in various schools’ performance across multiple metrics. Chicago’s prominent standing in the U.S. News list underscores the continued focus on academic excellence and college readiness in urban education.

The success of Payton, Northside, and Lane Technical High School reflects not only the commitment of students and dedicated teaching staff but also community support for educational initiatives that prioritize rigorous academic standards and college preparedness. High achievement on state assessments and strong graduation rates have been particularly pivotal in receiving national recognition.

The U.S. News rankings are highly regarded as they incorporate a wide range of data and consider factors that contribute to a high-quality educational experience. Prospective students and families often analyze these rankings to make informed decisions about where to apply and seek education.

In summary, this year’s ranking of Chicago’s high schools signifies an important milestone for the education sector in Illinois, accentuating the necessity of rigorous academic programs and college preparation in fostering student success. As more schools strive for recognition and improvement, students in the Chicago area benefit from an educational landscape vibrant with opportunities for achievement and growth.

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Additional Resources

• NBC Chicago
• Wikipedia: U.S. News & World Report
• Patch
• Google Search: Best High Schools
• Fox 32 Chicago
• Google Scholar: Illinois High Schools Rankings
• Hometown Register
• Encyclopedia Britannica: High School