For the 2026 school year, there are 61 blue ribbon public preschools serving 24,979 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 preschools in Illinois are Oak Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School and Romona Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Illinois blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Illinois public pre school average of 22%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 25% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschool average of 59% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Illinois (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Oak Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
950 S Oak St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5020 Central Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Romona Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
600 Romona Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Gr: PK-4 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
511 Park Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7340
Gr: PK-4 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Tri-valley Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
409 E Washington St
Downs, IL 61736
(309) 378-2031
Downs, IL 61736
(309) 378-2031
Gr: PK-3 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Skinner Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Gr: PK-8 | 1,139 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Pleasantdale Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8100 School St
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 246-4700
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 246-4700
Gr: PK-4 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
South Park Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1421 Hackberry Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5895
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5895
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1010.
Hickory Grove Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2514 W Hickory Grove Rd
Dunlap, IL 61525
(309) 243-8711
Dunlap, IL 61525
(309) 243-8711
Gr: PK-5 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1111.
Prairie Hill Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
14714 Willowbrook Rd
South Beloit, IL 61080
(815) 389-3301
South Beloit, IL 61080
(815) 389-3301
Gr: PK-4 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1212.
Aviston Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
350 S Hull St
Aviston, IL 62216
(618) 228-7245
Aviston, IL 62216
(618) 228-7245
Gr: PK-8 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #1313.
Greenbrier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2330 N Verde Dr
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4272
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4272
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1414.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3935 Highland Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5835
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5835
Gr: PK-6 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1515.
Cambridge Comm Grade School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
312 S West St
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-2028
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-2028
Gr: PK-5 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Damiansville Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 E Main St
Albers, IL 62215
(618) 248-5188
Albers, IL 62215
(618) 248-5188
Gr: PK-8 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Prairie View Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1201 Castle St
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-8811
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-8811
Gr: PK-3 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1818.
Palos West Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
12700 S 104th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-6888
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-6888
Gr: PK-5 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1919.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
100 S Nebraska Ave
Morton, IL 61550
(309) 266-6989
Morton, IL 61550
(309) 266-6989
Gr: PK-6 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2020.
Giant City Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1062 Boskydell Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2121.
Scott Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4732 Patriots Dr
Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225
(618) 746-4738
Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225
(618) 746-4738
Gr: PK-5 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2222.
Maryville Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6900 W Main St
Maryville, IL 62062
(618) 346-6261
Maryville, IL 62062
(618) 346-6261
Gr: PK-4 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2323.
Mascoutah Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
533 N 6th St
Mascoutah, IL 62258
(618) 566-2152
Mascoutah, IL 62258
(618) 566-2152
Gr: PK-5 | 853 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2424.
Eastview Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
540 Longwood Dr
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 458-5501
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 458-5501
Gr: PK-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2525.
Carlinville Primary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18456 Shipman Rd
Carlinville, IL 62626
(217) 854-9849
Carlinville, IL 62626
(217) 854-9849
Gr: PK-2 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2626.
Pierce Downer Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1436 Grant St
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5860
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5860
Gr: PK-6 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2727.
Ivy Hill Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2211 N Burke Dr
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4275
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4275
Gr: PK-5 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2828.
Mary Morgan Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
420 N Colfax St
Byron, IL 61010
(815) 234-5491
Byron, IL 61010
(815) 234-5491
Gr: PK-5 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Lebanon Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
408 Mary Jane St
Lebanon, IL 62254
(618) 537-4553
Lebanon, IL 62254
(618) 537-4553
Gr: PK-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Solomon Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6206 N Hamlin Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 534-5226
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 534-5226
Gr: PK-8 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Hynes Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9000 Belleforte Ave
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 965-4500
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 965-4500
Gr: PK-4 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Pecatonica Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
721 Reed St
Pecatonica, IL 61063
(815) 239-2550
Pecatonica, IL 61063
(815) 239-2550
Gr: PK-4 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3333.
Audubon Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3500 N Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5470
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5470
Gr: PK-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #3434.
Sesser-valier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4626 State Highway 154
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Gr: PK-5 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #3535.
Tremont Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 S James St
Tremont, IL 61568
(309) 925-4841
Tremont, IL 61568
(309) 925-4841
Gr: PK-4 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Show 26 more public schools in Illinois (out of 61 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Illinois?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Illinois include Oak Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School and Romona Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Illinois?
61 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschools average of 59% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
