Top 10 School Districts in the Chicago Area for 2026
Summer may still be in full swing, but the next school year is already becoming part of the conversation for Chicago-area homebuyers planning a move.
For many buyers, the school district carries as much weight as the home’s square footage, property taxes, commute, and neighborhood amenities. The question is rarely limited to “How are the schools?” Buyers also want to understand which communities feed into a district, whether it serves every grade level, and how attendance boundaries affect the homes available within their budget.
Two years after our previous school district overview, the 2026 rankings provide a timely reason to revisit the strongest-performing districts across suburban Chicago.
One important clarification is that this is a ranking of Chicago-area suburban school districts, not schools within Chicago Public Schools. It also includes a combination of high-school-only districts and full PK-12 or K-12 districts, which matters when comparing communities and individual home addresses.
For a broader suburban overview, explore the Chicago suburbs with the best schools and highest-rated districts.
How the 2026 School District Rankings Were Determined
The rankings below follow the order of Niche’s 2026 Best School Districts in the Chicago Area list. All ten districts received an A+ overall Niche grade.
Under Niche’s 2026 school district ranking methodology, academics account for 50% of the ranking and teacher quality represents another 15%. Culture and diversity, student and parent surveys, facilities, extracurricular activities, and athletics make up the remaining factors.
Niche uses information from sources including the U.S. Department of Education, state assessment results, college data, and feedback submitted by students and parents.
Rankings can be a helpful starting point, but they should not be the only factor used to evaluate a district. Academic programs, student services, extracurricular opportunities, location, property taxes, commute, and the needs of the individual student should also be considered.
| Rank | District | Overall Grade | Illinois Rank | Students (Approx.) | Total Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Glenbrook High School District 225 | A+ | #1 | 5,034 | 4 |
| #2 | New Trier Township High School District 203 | A+ | #2 | 3,656 | 2 |
| #3 | Township High School District 113 | A+ | #3 | 3,098 | 2 |
| #4 | Community High School District 128 | A+ | #4 | 3,196 | 3 |
| #5 | Hinsdale Township High School District 86 | A+ | #5 | 3,815 | 3 |
| #6 | Township High School District 211 | A+ | #6 | 12,458 | 7 |
| #7 | Niles Township Community High School Dist. 219 | A+ | #7 | 4,645 | 4 |
| #8 | Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | A+ | #9 | 26,108 | 34 |
| #9 | Barrington CUSD 220 | A+ | #10 | 7,936 | 12 |
| #10 | Naperville CUSD 203 | A+ | #11 | 16,047 | 22 |
1. Glenbrook High School District 225
Serving portions of Glenview and Northbrook, Glenbrook High School District 225 ranks No. 1 in the Chicago area, No. 1 in Illinois, and No. 1 in the United States in Niche’s 2026 district rankings.
The high-school district enrolls approximately 5,034 students and includes Glenbrook North High School and Glenbrook South High School. Niche reports a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, with 80% of students proficient in math and 84% proficient in reading.
The district is known for rigorous academics, extensive advanced coursework, competitive athletic programs, performing arts opportunities, and well-maintained facilities.
For homebuyers, it is important to remember that District 225 covers high school. Elementary and middle school assignments depend on the property address and may fall within Glenview District 34, Northbrook District 28, or another feeder district.
Buyers considering the area can learn more through our local introductions to Glenview and Northbrook.
2. New Trier Township High School District 203
New Trier Township High School District 203 ranks No. 2 in the Chicago area, No. 2 in Illinois, and among the highest-rated districts nationally for 2026.
New Trier operates a freshman campus in Northfield and an upper campus in Winnetka for grades 10 through 12. Its attendance area extends across several North Shore communities, including portions of Winnetka, Wilmette, Northfield, Glencoe, and Kenilworth, as well as surrounding areas.
The district serves approximately 3,656 students and maintains an 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Niche reports proficiency levels of 86% in math and 88% in reading, along with a 97% graduation rate.
New Trier offers 30 AP courses, seven languages, extensive performing and visual arts programs, more than 150 student clubs, 35 sports, free on-site tutoring, and dedicated post-high-school counselors.
Because New Trier is a high school-only district, buyers should also investigate the elementary and middle school system associated with a particular property. Two homes assigned to New Trier may feed through different K-8 districts depending on the municipality and street.
Our article on moving to the North Shore for top-rated schools explains why verifying both high-school and elementary boundaries is important before purchasing a home.
3. Township High School District 113
Township High School District 113 includes Highland Park High School and Deerfield High School and ranks among the highest-performing public high-school districts in the Chicago area.
The district enrolls more than 3,000 students across its two primary campuses and maintains a student-teacher ratio of approximately 12:1. Academic performance in reading and math remains well above statewide averages, while college preparation, extracurricular activities, athletics, and the arts are central parts of the district experience.
District 113 is relevant to buyers comparing communities in the southern portion of Lake County and the North Shore. Highland Park provides an established downtown and access to Lake Michigan, while Deerfield offers a different suburban setting with convenient access to major employment corridors.
District 113 begins at the high-school level, so the assigned elementary and middle school districts must also be verified for every property.
4. Community High School District 128
Serving Libertyville and Vernon Hills, Community High School District 128 ranks among the leading school districts in the Chicago area and nationally.
The district’s principal high schools are Libertyville High School and Vernon Hills High School. It enrolls approximately 3,200 students and offers advanced academic programs, college-preparatory coursework, fine arts, theater, athletics, and dedicated college-planning resources.
The two communities provide noticeably different housing environments. Libertyville is known for its established downtown and traditional residential neighborhoods, while Vernon Hills offers planned subdivisions, townhomes, shopping, and access to major employment centers.
Buyers should compare more than the high-school name. Housing type, property taxes, commute, feeder district, and exact attendance boundaries can differ substantially between addresses within District 128.
5. Hinsdale Township High School District 86
Hinsdale Township High School District 86 includes Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School and remains one of the most recognized public high-school districts in Chicago’s western suburbs.
The district serves more than 3,800 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of approximately 13:1. Its academic program includes extensive advanced coursework, college-preparatory options, competitive athletics, performing arts, and extracurricular activities.
District 86 covers more than one housing market. Properties feeding into Hinsdale Central can be found across portions of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, and nearby communities, while Hinsdale South serves a separate attendance area that includes portions of Darien and surrounding suburbs.
A home’s municipality alone does not guarantee its school assignment. This is especially important around municipal and district borders, where nearby properties may feed into different high schools or elementary systems.
6. Township High School District 211
Based in the northwest suburbs, Township High School District 211 is one of the largest high-school districts in Illinois and ranks among the strongest districts in the Chicago metropolitan area.
District 211 enrolls more than 12,000 students across seven schools. Its principal high schools include William Fremd, James B. Conant, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, and Palatine.
The district’s scale is one of its defining characteristics. Students have access to extensive honors and AP coursework, career and technical pathways, athletics, performing arts, clubs, and college and career resources.
For buyers, District 211 expands the housing search across several northwest suburban communities rather than one municipality. The assigned high school can vary between Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and nearby areas, making address-level verification essential.
7. Niles Township Community High School District 219
Niles Township Community High School District 219 serves Skokie and surrounding communities through Niles North High School, Niles West High School, Niles Central, and the Bridges Transition Center.
The district enrolls more than 4,600 students and is recognized for its combination of academics, college preparation, extensive extracurricular programming, arts opportunities, and a culturally and linguistically diverse student body.
Buyers may find homes assigned to District 219 across portions of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, and Niles, depending on the exact address.
For a closer look at local housing options, explore the best neighborhoods in Skokie and our broader guide to living in Skokie.
8. Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204
Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 serves portions of Aurora, Naperville, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield and is one of the largest public school districts in the Chicago region.
Unlike many of the high-school-only districts near the top of the list, District 204 is a full PK-12 system. It serves more than 26,000 students across 34 schools, including Neuqua Valley High School, Metea Valley High School, and Waubonsie Valley High School.
Its size supports a broad selection of academic programs, music, visual and performing arts, athletics, clubs, and specialized student resources.
Homebuyers often compare District 204 with Naperville District 203, but the distinction cannot be determined simply by seeing “Naperville” in a property’s mailing address. South and southwest Naperville properties frequently feed into District 204, while other areas of the city belong to District 203.
9. Barrington Community Unit School District 220
Barrington Community Unit School District 220 is a full PK-12 district serving Barrington and portions of several surrounding communities.
The district enrolls nearly 8,000 students across 12 schools. Academic performance, college preparation, teacher quality, athletics, extracurricular opportunities, and student resources all contribute to its continued position among the Chicago area’s highly rated school systems.
The housing market within District 220 is particularly varied. Buyers can find traditional village homes near downtown Barrington, newer subdivisions, larger properties on wooded lots, and luxury estates in outlying areas with a more rural atmosphere.
That variety makes address-level research especially important. Buyers should confirm the district, assigned elementary school, transportation arrangements, property taxes, and commute before narrowing their home search.
10. Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 ranks No. 10 in the Chicago area and No. 11 in Illinois in Niche’s 2026 rankings.
The district is a complete PK-12 system serving approximately 16,000 students across 22 schools, including Naperville Central High School and Naperville North High School. It received an A+ overall Niche grade, with strong marks for academics, teachers, college preparation, extracurricular activities, and athletics.
District 203 is closely connected to several of Naperville’s most established neighborhoods, downtown Naperville, and the Riverwalk area. However, not every Naperville property belongs to District 203, which is why buyers frequently compare it with Indian Prairie District 204.
Naperville’s combination of public schools, housing variety, transportation access, employment opportunities, downtown amenities, and outdoor spaces contributed to the city being named the No. 1 best place to live in America in Niche’s 2026 places rankings.
What These Rankings Mean for Chicago-Area Homebuyers
The strongest takeaway is not that every buyer should pursue the district ranked first.
The highest-ranked entries are primarily high-school-only districts, while Indian Prairie 204, Barrington 220, and Naperville 203 serve students from elementary school through high school. Comparing them as though they provide identical services can therefore be misleading.
A complete home search should examine the assigned elementary, middle, and high schools rather than relying only on the district name included in a property listing. Buyers should also consider commute, housing inventory, property taxes, extracurricular needs, student services, class offerings, and how the overall community fits their long-term plans.
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Before purchasing, verify the property directly with the appropriate school districts rather than relying solely on listing descriptions, third-party websites, or the municipality shown in the mailing address.
Rankings are useful research tools, but they cannot capture the needs or experiences of every student. Campus visits, district resources, Illinois Report Card data, and direct conversations with school administrators can provide a more complete picture.
Thinking About Buying in a Highly Ranked School District?
Finding a home within a preferred district involves more than entering the district’s name into a property search. Attendance boundaries can divide neighborhoods and even nearby streets, while home prices, inventory, taxes, and commute times may vary significantly between different feeder areas.
Browse available homes across the North Shore, Northwest suburbs, and Western suburbs, or connect with The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier for help verifying school boundaries and comparing housing options, commute, budget, and lifestyle before making a decision.
Stay Connected
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Connect with The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier for trusted local market insight, personalized guidance, and a proven strategy for your next Chicago real estate move.
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