Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Illinois Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 72 blue ribbon public middle schools serving 43,665 students in Illinois.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Illinois are Young Magnet High School, Lane Technical High School and Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Illinois blue ribbon public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools in Illinois (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Young Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
211 S Laflin St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7500
Gr: 7-12 | 2,223 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #22.
Lane Technical High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2501 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5400
Gr: 7-12 | 4,604 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #33.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4929 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 534-0540
Gr: K-8 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 534-2201
Gr: K-8 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #55.
Skinner North Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
640 W Scott St
Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 534-8500
Gr: K-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #66.
Thurgood Marshall School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4664 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 490-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Hickory Creek Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
22150 S Owens Rd
Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 469-4474
Gr: 6-8 | 943 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #88.
Daniel Wright Jr High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1370 N Riverwoods Rd
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 295-1560
Gr: 6-8 | 720 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #99.
Kennedy Junior High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2929 Green Trails Dr
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 420-3220
Gr: 6-8 | 937 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1010.
Northbrook Junior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1475 Maple Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-7920
Gr: 6-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1111.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
(Math: 80% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3319 N Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 534-5550
Gr: K-8 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Wood Oaks Jr High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1250 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1313.
Teutopolis Junior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
904 W Water St
Teutopolis, IL 62467
(217) 857-6678
Gr: 7-8 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1414.
Central School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
620 Greenwood Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Bannockburn School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2165 Telegraph Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5900
Gr: K-8 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1717.
Butler Junior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2801 York Rd
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 573-2760
Gr: 6-8 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1818.
Clarendon Hills Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 Chicago Ave
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
(630) 861-4800
Gr: 6-8 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1919.
Twin Groves Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2600 N Buffalo Grove Rd
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 821-8946
Gr: 6-8 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2020.
Mcclure Jr High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4225 Wolf Rd
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7590
Gr: 6-8 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2121.
Hinsdale Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
100 S Garfield St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4700
Gr: 6-8 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2222.
Skinner Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Gr: PK-8 | 1,139 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2323.
Maple School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2370 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 400-8905
Gr: 6-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2424.
Central Intermediate School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1301 Eagle Ave
Washington, IL 61571
(309) 444-3943
Gr: 5-8 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2525.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1700 Oplaine Rd
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 367-4120
Gr: K-8 | 911 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2626.
Dunlap Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5200 W Cedar Hills Dr
Dunlap, IL 61525
(309) 243-7778
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2727.
Rondout Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
28593 N Bradley Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 362-2021
Gr: K-8 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2828.
Alan B Shepard Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
440 Grove Ave
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 948-0620
Gr: 6-8 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2929.
Charles J Caruso Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1801 Montgomery Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-8430
Gr: 6-8 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #3030.
Wilmette Junior High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
620 Locust Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6600
Gr: 7-8 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3131.
Aviston Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
350 S Hull St
Aviston, IL 62216
(618) 228-7245
Gr: PK-8 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #3232.
H H Conrady Jr High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7950 W 97th St
Hickory Hills, IL 60457
(708) 233-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,047 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3333.
Field School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2055 Landwehr Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-6884
Gr: 6-8 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #3434.
Prescott Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1632 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 534-5505
Gr: K-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3535.
Highland Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
310 W Rockland Rd
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 362-9020
Gr: 6-8 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Show 37 more public schools in Illinois (out of 72 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Illinois include Young Magnet High School, Lane Technical High School and Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center.
How many blue ribbon public middle schools are located in Illinois?
72 blue ribbon public middle schools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon public middle schools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

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