News Summary
Three high schools in Chicago have been ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for their outstanding performance in college preparation and student achievement. This recognition highlights the city’s commitment to improving education and showcases the success of Payton College Preparatory, Northside College Preparatory, and Lane Technical High School. The rankings reflect a focus on student outcomes, including graduation rates and participation in advanced coursework, as Illinois continues to improve its educational standing nationally.
Chicago High Schools Among Top in National Rankings for 2025-2026
Chicago, Illinois — Three high schools from Chicago have been recognized among the top 100 high schools nationwide in the latest rankings released for the 2025-2026 academic year. The rankings, published by U.S. News & World Report, highlight the city’s strong performance in college preparation and student achievement, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve high school education across the city.
Key Highlights of the Rankings
The 2025-2026 rankings evaluate over 24,000 public high schools across the United States, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of high school performance. The evaluation focuses on six main criteria, including students’ results on state assessments, graduation rates, and measures of college readiness. These college readiness metrics specifically examine participation in and performance on Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
Illinois improved its standing among U.S. states, moving from 24th last year to 22nd this year. The state’s high schools overall continue to perform well, with particular attention to schools in Chicago leading the way nationally.
Top Ranked Chicago High Schools
Out of the top 100 high schools nationally, three are located in Chicago, showcasing the city’s strength in secondary education. The highest-ranked in Chicago is Payton College Preparatory High School, holding the 32nd position nationwide. Following close behind, Northside College Preparatory High School is ranked at 40th, and Lane Technical High School comes in at 72nd.
Other Regional Highlights
The rankings reveal that no suburban schools in the Chicago metropolitan area made the top 100. Outside of Chicago, the highest-ranked school is Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, which earned the 120th spot in the national ranking. This indicates a strong concentration of top schools within Chicago city limits, although some other institutions in the broader region perform well, albeit outside the top tier nationally.
Criteria and Methodology
The rankings are based on six key performance indicators, which include:
- Student achievement on mandated state assessments
- Graduation rates
- College readiness indicated by AP and IB participation and success
The methodology for these rankings was developed in partnership with RTI International, a research institute, and utilizes data from the 2022-2023 school year. This approach ensures that the rankings reflect recent academic performance and college preparation efforts.
Additional Categories and Special Rankings
Beyond the traditional school rankings, the report also features rankings for specialized programs, primarily in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and charter schools. These additional categories highlight schools excelling in specific academic disciplines or educational models, providing a broader perspective on educational excellence across the country.
Summary
Overall, Chicago’s placement among the top-performing high schools nationally underscores the city’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence. The recognition of Payton, Northside, and Lane Technical High Schools demonstrates their leadership in academics and college readiness, setting a benchmark for other schools in Illinois and beyond.
As the rankings continue to evolve annually, they serve as an indicator of progress and areas for improvement within the public high school system. The increased acknowledgment of Illinois’ standing among states also suggests positive developments in education policies and school performance metrics across the region.
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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
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