Understanding Illinois School Districts

Illinois has more school districts than any state except Texas. Here's how to navigate them.

How Illinois Districts Work

Structure

• Elementary districts (K-8)

• High school districts (9-12)

• Unit districts (K-12 unified)

In many suburbs, you'll have separate elementary and high school districts—so research both.

Funding

Illinois school funding is primarily local property taxes, which creates wide disparities. Recent legislation aims to address this.

Researching Schools

Beyond the Ratings

GreatSchools and Niche ratings are starting points, not gospel.

Consider:

• Test scores vs. growth (growth shows teaching quality)

• Class sizes

• Extracurricular offerings

• Special education support

• Community feel

Questions to Ask

• What's the student-teacher ratio?

• How diverse is the student body?

• What enrichment programs exist?

• How does the district handle learning differences?

• What's the homework philosophy?

Top-Rated Public Districts

Chicago Suburbs (frequently cited)

• Naperville 203 & Indian Prairie 204

• Hinsdale Township High School District 86

• Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)

• New Trier Township (Winnetka)

• Glenbrook Districts (Northbrook/Glenview)

Downstate

• Champaign Unit 4 (strong, diverse)

• Normal Community (Unit 5) (consistently rated)

• Springfield District 186 (improving)

Magnet & Selective Enrollment (Chicago)

Chicago Public Schools has selective enrollment high schools:

• Walter Payton

• Northside College Prep

• Whitney Young

• Jones College Prep

Entry: Based on grades, test scores, and geographic tier.

Private School Options

Catholic Schools

Archdiocese of Chicago operates 200+ schools. Generally more affordable than other privates.

Independent Schools

• Lab School (U of C)

• Latin School

• Francis Parker

• Country Day schools in suburbs

Cost Ranges

• Catholic: $5,000-15,000/year

• Independent: $25,000-40,000/year

Homeschooling in Illinois

Illinois has minimal homeschool regulations:

• No registration required

• No standardized testing required

• Must cover core subjects

• Strong homeschool community and co-ops

Making Your Decision

1. Visit schools during operating hours

2. Talk to current parents (our community can connect you)

3. Attend school board meetings to gauge community

4. Check commute and after-school logistics

5. Consider the full picture - not just academics