Best Chicago High Schools Aren't Who You Might Expect
- 01. Best Chicago High Schools: Top Public Selective-Enrollment and Private Catholic Options with Equity Context
- 02. Top 10 Chicago Public High Schools by Performance
- 03. How Selective-Enrollment Admissions Work
- 04. Top Chicago Catholic & Private High Schools
- 05. Equity Debates: Selective Schools vs. Neighborhood Enrollment
- 06. Marist Education Authority: Values-Driven Holistic Model
- 07. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago High Schools
Best Chicago High Schools: Top Public Selective-Enrollment and Private Catholic Options with Equity Context
The best Chicago high schools are Northside College Preparatory (ranked #1 public), Walter Payton College Preparatory, Whitney M. Young Magnet, Jones College Preparatory, and Lane Technical High School among selective-enrollment public schools; among private Catholic schools, Marist High School, Loyola Academy, Benet Academy, and St. Rita of Cascia lead. Selective-enrollment schools achieve 94-97% graduation rates with SAT attainment of 88-93% in reading, yet Mayor Brandon Johnson's December 2023 proposal to eliminate these 11 selective schools within five years highlights equity gaps in Chicago education.
Top 10 Chicago Public High Schools by Performance
Chicago Magazine's September 2024 ranking-its first in five years-evaluated 110 schools across the six-county metro area using SAT attainment, 5Essentials learning environment scores, attendance, and graduation rates from the 2022-23 school year.
| Rank | School Name | Neighborhood | Enrollment | SAT Reading % | Graduation Rate % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northside College Preparatory (S) | North Park | 1,040 | 93 | 97 |
| 2 | Whitney M. Young Magnet (S) | Near West Side | 2,146 | 90 | 95 |
| 3 | Lane Technical (S) | Lake View | 4,482 | 90 | 96 |
| 4 | Jones College Preparatory (S) | Printers Row | 1,930 | 92 | 94 |
| 5 | Walter Payton College Prep (S) | Near North Side | 1,231 | 88 | 96 |
| 6 | Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep (S) | Roseland | 971 | 64 | 94 |
| 7 | John Hancock College Prep (S) | Clearing | 1,003 | 52 | 98 |
| 8 | Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park (C) | McKinley Park | 866 | 38 | 90 |
| 9 | George Westinghouse College Prep (S) | Humboldt Park | 1,195 | 38 | 94 |
| 10 | Back of the Yards College Prep | Back of the Yards | 1,003 | 19 | 94 |
The SAT attainment rate measures students meeting or exceeding state standards, with income-adjusted figures factored into rankings to evaluate performance relative to predicted levels.
How Selective-Enrollment Admissions Work
- Eighth-graders apply to any Chicago Public School high school, ranking up to 6 selective-enrollment schools and 20 other choices
- The first 30% of seats go to the city's top-scoring students regardless of socioeconomic tier
- The remaining 70% divide among four socioeconomic tiers, with offers going to top-scoring students within each tier
- 76% of CPS students attend a high school outside their neighborhood, with many competing for selective-enrollment spots
Top Chicago Catholic & Private High Schools
Private Catholic schools offer holistic Marist pedagogy blending academic rigor with faith formation. Marist High School-operated by the Marist Brothers since 1963-educates 1,515 students with an A-grade overall Niche rating, 14:1 student-teacher ratio, 99% graduation rate, average SAT of 1260, and 88% college enrollment.
| School | Type | Niche Rank (IL Catholic) | Student Count | Graduation Rate | Average ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marist High School | Private Catholic | #24 of 65 | 1,515 | 99% | 26 |
| St. Laurence High School | Private Catholic | #8 of 65 | ~1,200 | 98% | 27 |
| Loyola Academy | Private Jesuit | #1 of 65 | 1,150 | 99% | 28 |
| Benet Academy | Private Benedictine | #2 of 65 | 1,080 | 99% | 27 |
| St. Rita of Cascia | Private Catholic | #3 of 65 | 1,320 | 98% | 26 |
St. Rita topped 2025 Niche rankings as #1 All-Boys School in Chicago and #2 in Illinois, while Marist ranks #4 of 797 for Best High Schools for Athletes in Illinois.
Equity Debates: Selective Schools vs. Neighborhood Enrollment
Mayor Johnson's December 14, 2023 decision to eliminate the 11 selective public high schools within five years represents new equity reimagined that prioritizes universal neighborhood enrollment over merit-based selection. City Journal argues this approach threatens underprivileged youth by eliminating pathways like Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep in Roseland, where 79.3% Black students achieve 60.7% ELA proficiency versus 16.5% district-wide.
Counterarguments note that at Walter Payton College Prep, 51.7% of Black students achieve ELA proficiency and 76% achieve science proficiency-far exceeding district averages of 16.5% and 24.4% respectively. The selective enrollment system actually serves marginalized students effectively when they gain access.
Marist Education Authority: Values-Driven Holistic Model
Marist pedagogy emphasizes five core principles: Presence (immersion in young people's lives), Educating through close relationships, Love of children equally, Love of work with enthusiasm, and Mastery of teaching craft. This apostolic spirituality views prayer as serving neighbors well, blending Marian and apostolic dimensions into harmonious community life.
- Presence: Teachers affect students by who they are, going into their world and space
- Golden Rule: "To educate children first you must love them, and love them equally" (St. Marcellin Champagnat)
- High Expectations: Mastery of craft combined with enthusiasm for school work
- Social Outreach: Faith formation integrated with service to diverse Latin American communities
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago High Schools
Key concerns and solutions for Best Chicago High Schools Arent Who You Might Expect
What are the best Chicago high schools for college preparation?
Northside College Preparatory, Walter Payton College Preparatory, Jones College Preparatory, Whitney Young Magnet, and Loyola Academy lead for college readiness. Northside achieves 93% SAT reading attainment and 97% graduation rate, while Marist High School sends 88% of graduates to 4-year colleges with average SAT of 1260.
How do I apply to Chicago selective-enrollment high schools?
Eighth-graders take the CPS HSAT (worth 50% of admission score) and submit 7th-grade core class grades (50%). Students rank up to 6 selective schools on the application. The 900-point system allocates 30% of seats to top scorers citywide and 70% across four socioeconomic tiers.
What is the difference between磁铁 and selective-enrollment schools?
Magnet schools focus on specialized themes (STEM, arts, IB) with broader admission criteria, while selective-enrollment schools use standardized test scores and grades for competitive admission. All 11 selective-enrollment schools are in CPS, with Payton having the highest cutoff at 879/900.
Are Catholic high schools in Chicago worth the tuition?
Yes-Catholic schools like Marist ($14,800 tuition) offer 14:1 student-teacher ratios, 99% graduation rates, and strong college placement. 62% of Marist students receive financial aid averaging $2,000, with 91% reporting feeling safe and 84% saying they like their school.
What equity gaps exist in Chicago high school education?
Only 30.5% of CPS grades 3-8 students meet reading standards and 18.3% meet math standards, with most students not meeting state benchmarks. Selective schools serve 79.3% Black students at Brooks (versus 16.5% district ELA proficiency) but admit only a fraction of eligible applicants, creating access disparities.
How does Marist education differ from other Catholic schools?
Marist pedagogy emphasizes presence, close relationships, and equal love for all children through the Marist Brothers' apostolic spirituality. Founded in 1963, Marist High School became co-ed in 2002 and now educates 1,700+ students with integrated religious education, Campus Ministry, and Kairos retreats.
