Several suburban high schools received high marks in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual assessment rankings.
The national news organization analyzed data from 673 schools in Illinois (over 17,600 nationwide) and assessed them based on college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance and graduation rate.
Five City of Chicago selective-enrollment high schools led the Illinois rankings, and Lincolnshire’s Adlai Stevenson High School rated sixth, the highest outside of Chicago.
A file photo of the New Trier Township High School campus in Winnetka. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
“We are proud and humbled to learn that Stevenson High School has been once again named to U.S. News and World Report’s list of top public high schools,” Superintendent Eric Twadell said in a statement. “This honor is shared by many, including our exceptional teachers who are the beating heart of our school community. We also extend our gratitude and appreciation to our students and families, whose ongoing support fuels our drive for continuous improvement.”
Vernon Hills High School finished eighth on the Illinois rankings with New Trier High School taking 10th.
The next group of 10 included Hinsdale Central (11th), Libertyville (12th), Fremd High School (13th), Lake Forest High School (14th) Neuqua Valley (15th), Deerfield High School (16th), Hersey High School (17th), Glenbrook North (19th) and Barrington (20th).
Glenbrook South and Prospect finished 21st and 22nd, respectively. Maine South High School, in District 207, came in at 23rd.
District 207 spokesman Brett Clark wrote in an e-mail the school district does not believe the rankings are a true measure of corresponding impact on students.
Clark also referred to a previous statement from Superintendent Ken Wallace providing additional reasons why the district views the rankings with some skepticism.
“Consistently our schools are ranked by U.S. News and World Report and other similar ranking services as the best high schools in the state and nationally,” Wallace said. “However, it is important to realize that these measures do not take into consideration key factors that are impactful in the lives of students. … These rankings do not reflect the support we provide students in the career exploration space that is a huge benefit for our students and their families.”
Other suburban high schools placing in the top 40 include Glenbard West (24th), Naperville North High School (25th), Naperville Central (27th), Proviso Math and Science Academy (30th), Highland Park High School (32nd), Lake Zurich High School (34th), Riverside Brookfield (35th), Evanston Township (39th) and Conant (40th).
