Several Illinois Schools Rank Among the Best High Schools in the Country for 2024
U.S. News and World Report’s “2024 Best High School Rankings” Highlights Illinois’ Top Performers
Illinois boasts several high schools that have earned top spots in the recently released “2024 Best High School Rankings” by U.S. News and World Report. The comprehensive list evaluated more than 24,000 public high schools across all 50 states, employing various criteria such as college readiness, state assessments, graduation rate, college curriculum breadth, and underserved student performance.
U.S. News and World Report editors categorized the schools based on their review findings, producing a comprehensive ranking of the top 17,660 public high schools. To rank among the top 20 on this prestigious list, schools had to maintain selective enrollment criteria or possess specific requirements, like a minimum GPA.
According to the report, charter schools accounted for 11.5% of the ranked high schools, while magnet schools made up 4.4%. Dominating the rankings were Florida and Arizona, both claiming 12 high schools in the top 100. California followed closely behind, securing 11 schools in the top 100.
Illinois’ Top Performers Shine on the National Level
Leading the list of the nation’s best high schools is BASIS Charter Schools in Peoria, Arizona, securing the prestigious No. 1 ranking. Coming in a close second is Signature School in Evansville, Indiana.
Illinois saw five of its Chicago-based schools make the top 100 schools nationwide. Walter Payton College Preparatory High School achieved an impressive No. 5 spot on the national ranking, while Northside College Preparatory High School secured the No. 35 position. The rankings also recognized Young Magnet High School at No. 52, Jones College Prep High School at No. 53, and Lane Technical High School at No. 60.
Illinois Suburban Schools Excel at the State Level
Although not ranking as high on the national list, many suburban Illinois high schools made a remarkable showing on the “best high schools for 2024” list within the state. Noteworthy institutions include Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills, New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, and Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale.
Top 10 High Schools Nationally
- BASIS Charter Schools — Peoria, Arizona
- Signature School — Evansville, Indiana
- Tesla STEM High School — Redmond, Washington
- Julia R. Masterman Secondary School — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Walter Payton College Preparatory High School — Chicago, Illinois
- The School for the Talented and Gifted — Dallas, Texas
- Academic Magnet High School — North Charleston, South Carolina
- International Academy — Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology — Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Riverside STEM Academy — Riverside, California
Top 10 High Schools in Illinois
- Walter Payton College Preparatory High School
- Northside College Preparatory High School
- Young Magnet High School
- Jones College Prep High School
- Lane Technical High School
- Adlai E. Stevenson High School
- Brooks College Prep Academy High School
- Vernon Hills High School
- Hancock College Preparatory High School
- New Trier Township High School Winnetka
For the full rankings and report, please visit the official website.
