News Summary

Three Chicago high schools have ranked among the top 100 in the U.S. in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools list. Payton College Prep leads Illinois at 32, followed by Northside at 40 and Lane Tech at 72. This highlights a strong urban educational performance despite no suburban schools making the top 100. The rankings emphasize academic performance, college readiness, and the importance of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, showcasing Illinois’s educational improvement.

Chicago – Three high schools in Chicago have distinguished themselves by ranking among the top 100 high schools in the United States, according to the recently released 2025-2026 Best High Schools list by U.S. News & World Report. The report assessed over 24,000 public high schools across the nation, highlighting academic performance and college readiness as key metrics.

Payton College Preparatory High School stood out as the top-ranking school in Illinois, being placed at 32nd nationally. Northside College Preparatory High School followed closely behind at 40th, while Lane Technical High School earned the 72nd spot. This year, none of the suburban high schools from the Chicago area made it to the top 100 list, emphasizing the strength of these urban institutions.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, located in Aurora, was the highest-ranked school outside of Chicago, claiming the 120th position nationally. This indicates that Chicago’s high schools are performing exceptionally well compared to their suburban counterparts.

The rankings are founded on a comprehensive evaluation utilizing six key performance indicators. These include student achievement on state-required assessments, graduation rates, and the measures of college readiness, specifically focusing on participation and performance in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. The methodology used in these rankings was developed in partnership with RTI International and is based on data collected from the 2022-2023 school year.

Notably, Illinois has shown improvement in its overall educational performance, moving from 24th to 22nd among U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This progress indicates a positive trend in the state’s commitment to enhancing educational standards and outcomes.

Understanding the Rankings

The U.S. News & World Report rankings provide a comprehensive overview of how public high schools across the country measure up, and they serve as a useful resource for parents, educators, and policymakers. The ranking system evaluates schools not just on standardized test scores, but also on how well they prepare students for post-secondary education. This multi-faceted approach allows for a nuanced understanding of school performance.

The focus on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs highlights the importance of rigorous academic curricula in preparing students for the demands of college. Schools with higher participation rates in these programs generally demonstrate stronger college readiness outcomes, an aspect that is increasingly critical in today’s competitive educational landscape.

Implications for Chicago’s Education Landscape

The inclusion of multiple Chicago high schools in the top ranks reflects positively on the city’s educational landscape. However, the absence of suburban high schools from the top 100 raises questions regarding the factors contributing to this discrepancy. It may warrant further investigation into the resources, faculty qualifications, and community support available to schools in both urban and suburban settings.

As parents and students prepare for the upcoming academic year, the U.S. News rankings will likely influence their school choices and expectations. The recognition of these top-performing schools can also serve as a motivation for other institutions to enhance their programs and aim for higher academic standards.

Conclusion

The 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report shine a light on the outstanding achievements of Chicago’s high schools. With Payton, Northside, and Lane Tech recognized for their excellence, the rankings not only celebrate these institutions but also highlight Illinois’s growing reputation in public education. As schools continue to strive for improvement, the emphasis on academic rigor and college readiness remains paramount to student success.

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Chicago High Schools Shine in National Rankings