658 schools in Chicago

Illinois · Public K-12

Chicago's public schools total 658 across the city, with enrollment of about 328,250 and an average school size near 499.

7-year change in Chicago

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25

Total enrollment

327,652

-46,059 (-12%) vs SY 2017-18

School count

630

-33 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18

% White

11%

was 10%

% Hispanic

47%

was 47%

% Black

34%

was 37%

% Asian

was 4%

Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages

Largest by enrollment

Lane Technical High School4,604 students Taft High School4,487 students Curie Metropolitan High School3,099 students

Excludes virtual / online schools.

Schools

A-Z Largest Top rated

Name	Level	Grades	Enrollment
Urban Prep Chrtr Sch for Yng Men	Combined	M-M	·
Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS	High	09-12	148
Urban Prep Chtr Acad Englewood HS	High	09-12	87
Vanderpoel Elem Magnet School	Elementary	KG-08	241
Vaughn Occupational High School	High	09-12	0
Vick Early Childhood & Family Ctr	Elementary	PK-PK	417
Volta Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	739
Von Steuben Metro Science HS	High	09-12	1,698
Wacker Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	217
Wadsworth Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	487
Walsh Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	245
Walter Henri Dyett HS for Arts	High	09-12	538
Ward J Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	500
Ward L Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	279
Warren Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	317
Washington G Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	571
Washington H Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	273
Washington G High School	High	09-12	1,520
Waters Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	702
Webster Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	183
Wells Community Academy HS	High	09-12	398
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy	Elementary	PK-08	308
Wentworth Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	433
West Park Elem Academy	Elementary	PK-08	442
West Ridge Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	683
Westcott Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	387
Westinghouse High School	High	09-12	1,230
Whistler Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	242
White Elem Career Academy	Elementary	PK-08	116
Whitney Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	559
Whittier Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	221
Wildwood Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	512
William Brown Magnet Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	232
Williams Medical Prep High Sch	High	09-12	74
Woodlawn Elem Community School	Elementary	PK-06	167
Woodson South Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	298
World Language High School	High	09-12	389
Yates Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	268
YCCS Chtr - Chatham	High	09-12	104
YCCS West	High	09-12	80
YCCS-Albizu Campos Puerto Rican	High	09-12	184
YCCS-ASPIRA Pantoja Alt HS	High	09-12	200
YCCS-Association House	High	09-12	105
YCCS-CCA Academy HS	High	09-12	124
YCCS-Community Youth Dev Inst HS	High	09-12	94
YCCS-Innovations of Arts Integr	High	09-12	392
YCCS-Latino Youth Alternative HS	High	09-12	174
YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership	High	09-12	103
YCCS-Olive Harvey Mid College HS	High	09-12	128
YCCS-Progressive Leadership Acad	High	09-12	122
YCCS-Scholastic Achievement HS	High	09-12	117
YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS	High	09-12	281
YCCS-Truman Middle College HS	High	09-12	192
YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS	High	09-12	115
YCCS-Youth Connection Leadership	High	09-12	100
Young Elem School	Elementary	PK-08	417
Young Magnet High School	High	07-12	2,223
Zapata Elem Academy	Elementary	PK-08	524

About Chicago

Chicago is a sprawling Illinois city in terms of public-school footprint, with 658 schools and 328,250 students total.

For a sense of the school types, the city spans 465 elementary, 11 middle, 173 high, and 9 other.

Looking at the last 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment contracted 12%: 373,711 students in SY 2017-18 versus 327,652 in SY 2024-25. Chicago now counts 630 public schools, down from 663 in SY 2017-18.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Chicago discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Chicago?

Chicago, Illinois has 658 public K-12 schools serving approximately 328,250 students.

How many elementary, middle, and high schools are in Chicago?

Chicago has 465 elementary, 11 middle, 173 high, 9 combined-grade public schools.

What is the largest public school in Chicago?

Lane Technical High School is the largest public school in Chicago by enrollment, with approximately 4,604 students.

What school districts serve Chicago?

Chicago is served by 12 public school districts, including Chicago Public Schools Dist 299, Horizon Science Acad-Belmont, Horizon Science Acad-McKinley Pk, Dept of Human Services, Urban Prep Chrtr Sch for Yng Men and 7 others.

What grade levels do public schools in Chicago cover?

Public schools in Chicago serve students from pre-K through grade 12.

Are there charter schools in Chicago?

119 of the 658 public schools in Chicago are charter schools.

Chicago school rankings

Largest schools All rankings →