The 10 Most Popular High School in Chicago

Finding a great high school for your child to attend can be a daunting task. Not only are you looking for the best possible education and learning opportunities, but also a safe, supportive environment that is going to propel them through their future.

We’re here today to help you narrow down your search by introducing you ten of Chicago’s best high schools! Here’s what our experts have determined are the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to secondary education in Chicago—stay tuned for our exclusive list!

The Top 10 High Schools in Chicago

Lincoln Park High School

Address: 2001 N Orchard St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (56)
Phone: +1 773-534-8130
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:15 AM – 4:20 PM

Tuesday: 7:15 AM – 4:20 PM

Wednesday: 7:15 AM – 4:20 PM

Thursday: 7:15 AM – 4:20 PM

Friday: 7:15 AM – 4:20 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

This school is a great school if you can put in the hard work. I, myself took the middle road, not the hardest IB classes that they offer since those kill off any social life/free time, I took double honors. Yes you heard it here double honors, its a pseudo-higher-edge set of classes you can only find here, you get the same credits as people taking honors but you get better prepared for college and SAT/ACT tests, for example I got a 1210 on the new 1600 scale while my friend who took honors got a 1050. Honestly I’d skip honors entirely until Junior/Senior year since most of these “honors” classes are regular classes since there is no regulars classes and the honors classes have some of the dumbest kids in the school, with the curriculum dumbed down so even the lowest achiever can pass with a D until Junior year when most people start balancing honors with AP classes where the rung is set higher. We have just about every sport in this school from Water Polo to Football to LaCross. We also have like 30 clubs, chess, coding, ping pong and it takes a solid 20 min and a good relationship with a teacher to start your own club. Most teachers want you to succeed and many treat you as if you were their kid, from strict teachers who push you, to lax teachers who talk to you as a friend, to teachers who ask if you got enough sleep, hand out snacks for people who are not getting enough food. People are very accepting in this school from LGBT clubs like SAGA to the Black Student Union to the Conservative Club. Everyone can find a home at this school. There are a few kids in the hallway who “fight” sometimes from troubled neighborhoods, but they keep to themselves, so if you’re not a part of their group they leave you alone. Not as many opportunities as Lane but it still beats out many other schools with our great Music, IB, JROTC, and AP programs. It has a more “home” sense, I know by name around half of the kids I walk through the hallway with and have a good relationship with all except a few teachers, you even get to know the substitutes well. Would I ever want to be anywhere but here, never, I met people of every background, became worldly, learned world-class education, and had the experiences of a lifetime. (One thing though never trust school officials on any renovations, we’ve been waiting for AC’s for the last 4 years, they’re only in the freshman building, teachers lounge and the computer rooms)

✭✭✭✭✭ By Aron Mlodkowski (4 years ago)

I love Lincoln Park High School! Every day is a new and fun experience! The people can get loud sometimes but we all seem to have fun in the end! The IB program at this school is amazing and so diverse and I’m always so impressed by what the performing arts program is capable!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Ryan Galowich (9 years ago)

I am about to graduate from LPHS. The school has its pros and cons.

(Pros)
-Outstanding IB program. The four years of rigorous coursework you go through does pay off in the end (trust me). You will be highly prepared for college, and will learn many skills along the way (oral presentations, extended essays, community service, etc). Ms. Tookey is a wonderful coordinator and person overall. Teachers really do care about the kids, and will do anything to see them succeed. AP vs IB -> IB WINS! Although I have taken AP classes and they are challenging, IB is set to a much higher standard. IB tests do not have multiple choice, and are almost entirely based off of student-composed responses. Program also incorporates service-learning (CAS Hours), extended essay, TOK, final oral exams. Do NOT blow off EE/TOK – if you fail either, you don’t get the diploma!
-Plethora of clubs/diversity. There are many clubs in LP, and the diversity is a strong suit. There are students from everywhere from around the world, and political affiliation among staff/students varies as well, (the debates are always fun)
-Community. The LP community is very welcoming – yes, there might be some bullying and fighting, but it is overall very inclusive and filled with nice people.

(Cons)
-Drugs. Drug deals are a daily occurrence in school. Usually take place during/after school around the school and in Oz Park. I’ve caught people bringing pot into class many times, smoking in the bathrooms, etc. Security guards find it funny and generally don’t care. Freshmen carry around their “JUUL” and like to vape in the bathroom. The lunch room is a hot-spot for this too. Hallways constantly smell of weed. Go to the hill after school and you’re guaranteed to find baggies and liquor bottles.
-Idiots. Excluding the IB program/Double Honors program, the students in the school are not very bright. Many fail throughout the years, and barely end up passing due to dumbing down of curriculum so that even the biggest idiot ends up graduating. Many are disrespectful, rude, and simply do not care about their educations.

Although I would say the cons outweight the pros, this school is still dear to me. The people and teachers I’ve met in the IB program, the education I received, and the experiences I’ve had were phenomenal.

✭✭✭ By John Michael (4 years ago)

it’s a great public school, they only offer honors, double honors, or IB, no regular classes! THE only thing is the sport’s. There is no real funding for the team’s, most of these kids can’t afford it, or struggle to pay the fees! JUST cause it’s Lincoln Park doesn’t mean rich kids go here! the rich kids are in private school, like Latin or British School, I’m not knocking them school’s, I’m just saying we need more funding for the sports department!

✭✭✭✭ By LESLIE GONZALES (7 years ago)

This school is just terrible. The administration staff is a joke the honors level teachers simply don’t seem to care about anything their students do. The counseling department with the exception of a few will do little to nothing for their students. A simple schedule change is asking for too much because “if [they] do it for you [they] have to do it for everyone”. So I guess they are for the majority to fail. I wasn’t being irrational I wanted a schedule because of all my extra curricular activities and the constant being pulled out of class but that apparently wasn’t enough. While some students received a schedule change because they simply did not like their schedule. So yes I give this school a 1/5 because of such poor staff.

✭ By Mariano Ortega Chavez (7 years ago)

Thomas Kelly High School

Address: 4136 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60632, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (55)
Phone: +1 773-535-4900
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

I graduated in 2016 and the 4 years I attended here were great. I remember when I was attending elementary school in Brighton Park you always heard “Kelly is a bad school” which is NOT TRUE AT ALL. It is definitely improving and it has gone strict but firm on the students. I think Kelly has a ton of resources for their students they just need to learn and realize how to USE IT. It is all provided for them I think it’s just sad how some of the students don’t use it. Unfortunately when I graduated the principal I had decided to retire so the incoming Freshman for September 2016 would have a new principal which is funny because that also happened to me when I was a Freshman.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Jennifer Rodriguez (4 years ago)

I’ve reading at these reviews and saying that Kelly is bad. It’s not, many of teachers do care about you and want you to be successful. I’m in many after school programs, which makes me want to go to school everyday. Yes, Kelly has been bad before, but the past and now it the future. Kelly has been improving better. I was one of those students that didn’t want to come to Kelly,but they have change perspective and my mother always tell me, it doesn’t matter what school you go to, it matter how much effort you put in.

✭✭✭✭✭ By xitlalic cruz (7 years ago)

I graduated from Kelly a while ago. This school was not the best school to most people but it was to me. I just felt the need to give them credit for helping me be where I am today. Honestly, if I did not have amazing teachers and staff members who took their time to help me during my years at Kelly. I would not be where I am today as someone who is happy with life and almost done with my Bachelors.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Peter Xu (5 years ago)

Im a freshman currently attending Kelly highschool. This school isn’t that bad at all, as long as you don’t make yourself to noticeable to the bad students. I enjoy going to my classes because a lot of the teachers here really motivate me to do better. I also like the clubs here but I wish that there were a few more to choose from. As long as you have a few friends that you trust you’ll definitely like this school. I was scared at first but when I started school it actually wasn’t bad at all. 🙂

✭✭✭ By Gloria Arriaga (6 years ago)

My experience with kelly has been great, I never had a problem with any teacher or student, there might be a few bad student maybe 1 or 2 but you will find these people everywhere you go. Over all i would rate this school 5/5 for its hospitality and education. BUT the reason to why i would rate 3/5 is due to the BAND Program. Sure its nice during beginning band where they are all nice and motivate you to go to intermediate band, once in intermediate you start too see some of the band directors true colors. But despite that its not to bad, until they ask you to join Advanced band/Marching band. Thats where you see Mr. Daily’s Totalitarian Regime, where everything goes his way or no way at all. The moral of the story is Kelly’s a great school, and the Band is basically overhyped slavery, so if you come to Kelly i highly do not recommend Band for it is a trap that they lure you in, if you want to go to Kelly for Marching Band, i suggest try looking into another school, for you can do better.

✭✭✭ By HA DES (6 years ago)

Carl Schurz High School

Address: 3601 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.6 (54)
Phone: +1 773-534-3420
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM

Thursday: 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM

Friday: 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

Schurz was fun, however I never received any direction regarding further education, counseling nor was I remotely challenged in any subject. I didn’t even learn to swim after 4 years of swim class. My high school years were full of friends, committees and working six days a week. Academically, I didn’t learn much at all.

✭✭ By Joyce Hitt (4 years ago)

It’s a decent high school, has a bad reputation but honestly it’s not that bad at all.. after you graduate you truly do miss the good times you had in this school.. You only live young once.

✭✭✭✭ By Andrew Moran (6 years ago)

Had some great teachers here & had a lot of good times. 😊

✭✭✭✭ By Laura Moore (6 years ago)

Meh, hate this school. It sucks. Seriously don’t go to this school :/

✭✭ By Dark _X (7 years ago)

The Best School ever Teacher and Staff are excellent

✭✭✭✭✭ By Angel Mitchell (4 years ago)

Marie Sklodowska Curie Metropolitan High School

Address: 4959 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (53)
Phone: +1 773-535-2100
Website: Link
Reviews:

Terrible school rude staff and not very tight on security lots of teachers who should be fired who are very rude and obnoxious and some racist teachers are still working there. And not to mention the school lunch is just very disgusting students are forced to either eat or starve because they are not allowed to go out and get actual food.

✭✭ By Cristian Daniel (6 years ago)

The school is okay for the most part some teachers are cool just dont take French class I swear it was more political than it was learning most of the time in their

✭✭✭ By Friendly Eevee (5 years ago)

I like Curie very much it a great school with great teacher but not so great students. Curie is one of I believe 3 high school that have CTE classes, they don’t have A/c of course so when it hot outside it cold inside yay. Class of 2014

✭✭✭✭✭ By Chris Alvarez (9 years ago)

Though I am an alum, their most recent policy of denying student’s their education due to lack of clear book bags is just unlawful and unethical. Not matter the circumstances.

✭✭ By Brian He (9 years ago)

Great high school a lot of fights n detections lol went in 2009 n left 2011 good times, good friends and good teachers 🙂

✭✭✭✭✭ By paolo mesias (7 years ago)

Hyde Park Academy High School

Address: 6220 S Stony Is Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (44)
Phone: +1 773-535-0880
Website: Link
Reviews:

Hyde Park is a good High School. Thè teachers are helpful and courteous. They actually give valuable information and they teach the students. The Special Olympics at this school is à priority and all the wonderful Paraprofessionals that assist with this event are awesome.
Hyde Park is cool..

✭✭✭✭✭ By Lana P. (9 months ago)

I pick up a student from their and had no problem until today one of the students called me a white cracker

✭✭✭✭ By Pauline Cardena (3 months ago)

I got shot picking my grandkids up from school on Monday

✭ By Sherrie Verser (4 months ago)

Thank you Mr. Ross for your amazing and outstanding skills. I really appreciate having you as my principal. Schools need more people like you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
~Graduate student

✭✭✭✭✭ By Mouhamed Sylla (a year ago)

school is so bad, got roaches, rats, kids with no edges, ceilings fall down, bathrooms flooding and nasty, no doors on washrooms, teachers cant teach, teachers are so mean, had a riot princpal got maced and spit on my students, kids grades are aweful, food is disgusting, foreign teachers who cant help students, and dont ever send you kids here i dont recommend at all.
coming from a graduate from hyde park high school class of 2014

✭ By Mersadise Williams (7 years ago)

Theodore Roosevelt High School

Address: 3436 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.4 (41)

Wendell Phillips Academy High School

Address: 244 E Pershing Rd, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.8 (38)

Northside College Prep

Address: 5501 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (37)

William H. Wells Community Academy High School

Address: 936 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.1 (34)

Sullivan High School

Address: 6631 N Bosworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.1 (33)

Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best high schools in Chicago. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!