Cook County

Illinois · Public K-12

Cook County in Illinois has 1,406 public K-12 schools in service today, collectively responsible for roughly 697,934 students with Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 the largest district. By grade band, the county runs 966 elementary, 151 middle, and 270 high schools.

7-year change in Cook County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25

Total enrollment

696,942

-70,433 (-9%) vs SY 2017-18

School count

1,268

-101 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18

% White

24%

was 25%

% Hispanic

40%

was 39%

% Black

25%

was 27%

% Asian

was 6%

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

Residents

5,182,090

all ages · ACS 5-yr

Schools

1,406

171 districts

Enrollment

697,934

students · NCES CCD

Median income

$83,498

Above Illinois avg

Free/reduced lunch

66.0%

Above Illinois avg

Elementary

966

387,587 students

Middle

151

80,599 students

High

270

224,702 students

Combined / other

5,046 students

LARGEST DISTRICT

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

324,396 students · 171 districts in Cook County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Cook County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents

White

44%

Hispanic

27%

Black

22%

Asian

Two or more

13%

Native American

Pacific Islander

School enrollment

White

24%

Hispanic

40%

Black

25%

Asian

Two or more

Native American

Pacific Islander

Bachelor's+

42.7%

adults 25+

Poverty rate

9.9%

ACS 5-year

Unemployment

7.0%

civilian labor

Median age

21.1% under 18

Test scores in Cook County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 1,009 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)

Young Magnet High School· 97.5%
Skinner North Elem Sch· 97.4%
Edison Elem Regional Gifted Cntr· 96.6%
Keller Elem Gifted Magnet School· 96.4%
Hawthorne Elem Scholastic Academy· 96.0%

Lowest 5 schools (ELA)

Herzl Elem School· 6.8%
Plato Learning Acad Elem School· 7.7%
Kelvyn Park High School· 9.0%
Dett Elem School· 10.3%
Till Elem Math & Science Academy· 11.0%

See all 1,009 schools in Cook County ranked by score →

All schools (1,406)

Largest A-Z Top rated

Name	City	Level	Grades	Enrollment	Rating
Lane Technical High School	Chicago	High	07-12	4,604	·
Taft High School	Chicago	High	07-12	4,487	·
Lyons Twp High Sch	La Grange	High	09-12	3,706	·
Evanston Twp High School	Evanston	High	09-12	3,560	·
J Sterling Morton East High Sch	Cicero	High	10-12	3,394	·
J Sterling Morton West High Sch	Berwyn	High	09-12	3,374	·
Oak Park & River Forest High Sch	Oak Park	High	09-12	3,307	·
Curie Metropolitan High School	Chicago	High	09-12	3,099	·
Glenbrook South High School	Glenview	High	09-12	2,923	·
Carl Sandburg High School	Orland Park	High	09-12	2,840	·
New Trier Township H S Winnetka	Winnetka	High	10-12	2,770	·
Homewood-Flossmoor High School	Flossmoor	High	09-12	2,707	·
Wm Fremd High School	Palatine	High	09-12	2,689	·
Niles West High School	Skokie	High	09-12	2,646	·
J B Conant High School	Hoffman Estates	High	09-12	2,633	·
Elgin High School	Elgin	High	09-12	2,576	·
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School	Palos Hills	High	09-12	2,560	·
Palatine High School	Palatine	High	09-12	2,535	·
Maine South High School	Park Ridge	High	09-12	2,494	·
Rich Township High School	Olympia Fields	High	09-12	2,433	·
Schaumburg High School	Schaumburg	High	09-12	2,416	·
Kenwood Academy High School	Chicago	High	07-12	2,268	·
Prospect High School	Mt Prospect	High	09-12	2,245	·
Young Magnet High School	Chicago	High	07-12	2,223	·
Lincoln Park High School	Chicago	High	09-12	2,214	·
Victor J Andrew High School	Orland Hills	High	09-12	2,213	·
Hoffman Estates High School	Hoffman Estates	High	09-12	2,185	·
Glenbrook North High School	Northbrook	High	09-12	2,111	·
John Hersey High School	Arlington Heights	High	09-12	2,040	·
Buffalo Grove High School	Buffalo Grove	High	09-12	2,021	·
Niles North High School	Skokie	High	09-12	1,999	·
Rolling Meadows High School	Rolling Meadows	High	09-12	1,956	·
Jones College Prep High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,954	·
Reavis High School	Burbank	High	09-12	1,930	·
Maine East High School	Park Ridge	High	09-12	1,921	·
Unity Jr High School	Cicero	Middle	07-08	1,919	·
A B Shepard High Sch (Campus)	Palos Heights	High	09-12	1,916	·
Elk Grove High School	Elk Grove Village	High	09-12	1,906	·
Streamwood High School	Streamwood	High	09-12	1,890	·
Proviso West High School	Hillside	High	09-12	1,870	·
Oak Lawn Comm High School	Oak Lawn	High	09-12	1,867	·
Maine West High School	Des Plaines	High	09-12	1,857	·
Thornwood High School	South Holland	High	09-12	1,843	·
East Leyden High School	Franklin Park	High	09-12	1,840	·
Bloom High School	Chicago Heights	High	09-12	1,823	·
DD Eisenhower High Sch (Campus)	Blue Island	High	09-12	1,818	·
Argo Community High School	Summit	High	09-12	1,817	·
Thornton Fractnl So High School	Lansing	High	09-12	1,803	·
Mather High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,777	·
Thomas Kelly College Preparatory	Chicago	High	09-12	1,762	·
Wheeling High School	Wheeling	High	09-12	1,743	·
Hubbard High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,710	·
H L Richards High Sch(Campus)	Oak Lawn	High	09-12	1,702	·
Von Steuben Metro Science HS	Chicago	High	09-12	1,698	·
Thornton Township High School	Harvey	High	09-12	1,697	·
West Leyden High School	Northlake	High	09-12	1,687	·
Proviso East High School	Maywood	High	09-12	1,663	·
Riverside Brookfield Twp HS	Riverside	High	09-12	1,663	·
Kennedy High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,647	·
Juarez Community Academy HS	Chicago	High	09-12	1,585	·
Senn High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,571	·
Washington G High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,520	·
Amundsen High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,507	·
Lake View High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,431	·
Thornton Fractnl No High School	Calumet City	High	09-12	1,425	·
Bremen High School	Midlothian	High	09-12	1,414	·
Disney Elem Magnet School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,384	·
Morgan Park High School	Chicago	High	07-12	1,349	·
Oak Forest High School	Oak Forest	High	09-12	1,329	·
Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS	Chicago	High	07-12	1,316	·
Armstrong G Elem IntL Studies	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,304	·
Solorio Academy High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,287	·
Lemont Twp High School	Lemont	High	09-12	1,284	·
Dirksen Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,263	·
Payton College Preparatory HS	Chicago	High	09-12	1,260	·
Schurz High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,244	·
Steinmetz College Prep HS	Chicago	High	09-12	1,230	·
Westinghouse High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,230	·
Bloom Trail High School	Chicago Heights	High	09-12	1,218	·
Edwards Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,209	·
Stevenson Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,206	·
Healy Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	KG-08	1,194	·
Prosser Career Academy HS	Chicago	High	09-12	1,185	·
Mount Greenwood Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,182	·
Roosevelt High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,144	·
Skinner Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,139	·
CICS - Longwood Campus	Chicago	Combined	03-12	1,137	·
Noble St Chtr-ITW Speer Acad	Chicago	High	09-12	1,135	·
Plum Grove Middle School	Rolling Meadows	Middle	06-08	1,128	·
Hanson Park Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,125	·
Beasley Elem Magnet Academic Ctr	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,119	·
Peirce Elem Intl Studies School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,116	·
Gemini Middle School	Niles	Middle	06-08	1,111	·
Catalyst Charter - Maria ES	Chicago	Combined	KG-12	1,107	·
Noble St Chtr - Mansueto	Chicago	High	09-12	1,106	·
Bridge Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,100	·
Hillcrest High School	Country Club Hills	High	09-12	1,100	·
Simeon Career Academy High School	Chicago	High	09-12	1,095	·
Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle Sch	Oak Lawn	Middle	06-08	1,090	·
Locke J Elem School	Chicago	Elementary	PK-08	1,089	·

Cities in Cook County

Chicago657 schools Des Plaines21 schools Arlington Heights20 schools Chicago Heights20 schools Evanston19 schools Maywood19 schools Cicero18 schools Oak Forest17 schools Burbank16 schools Palatine16 schools Glenview15 schools Orland Park15 schools Schaumburg15 schools Skokie15 schools South Holland15 schools Calumet City14 schools Hoffman Estates14 schools La Grange14 schools Oak Lawn14 schools Berwyn13 schools Dolton11 schools Northbrook11 schools Oak Park11 schools Tinley Park11 schools Elk Grove Village10 schools Blue Island9 schools Park Ridge9 schools Streamwood9 schools Harvey8 schools Lansing8 schools Mount Prospect8 schools Wheeling8 schools Wilmette8 schools Alsip7 schools Barrington7 schools Crestwood7 schools Franklin Park7 schools Morton Grove7 schools Mt Prospect7 schools Park Forest7 schools Rolling Meadows7 schools Bellwood6 schools Evergreen Park6 schools Hanover Park6 schools Matteson6 schools Melrose Park6 schools Midlothian6 schools Niles6 schools Northlake6 schools Palos Heights6 schools Riverdale6 schools Winnetka6 schools Bartlett5 schools Country Club Hills5 schools Flossmoor5 schools Forest Park5 schools Lemont5 schools Markham5 schools Prospect Heights5 schools Richton Park5 schools Riverside5 schools Summit5 schools Worth5 schools Brookfield4 schools Buffalo Grove4 schools Chicago Hts4 schools Elgin4 schools Elmwood Park4 schools Glenwood4 schools Hazel Crest4 schools Justice4 schools La Grange Park4 schools Lincolnwood4 schools Norridge4 schools Northfield4 schools Westchester4 schools Western Springs4 schools Bridgeview3 schools Calumet Park3 schools Chicago Ridge3 schools Dixmoor3 schools Glencoe3 schools Hickory Hills3 schools Homewood3 schools Lyons3 schools Palos Hills3 schools River Forest3 schools River Grove3 schools Sauk Village3 schools Schiller Park3 schools Berkeley2 schools Broadview2 schools Ford Heights2 schools Hillside2 schools La Grange Highlands2 schools Olympia Fields2 schools Palos Park2 schools Posen2 schools Robbins2 schools South Chicago Heights2 schools Stickney2 schools Bedford Park1 school Burnham1 school Burr Ridge1 school Countryside1 school E Hazel Crest1 school Harwood Heights1 school Hodgkins1 school Hoffman Est1 school Hometown1 school Kenilworth1 school Lagrange1 school Lynwood1 school Merrionette Park1 school North Riverside1 school Northlake1 school Orland Hills1 school Phoenix1 school Prospect Hts1 school Roselle1 school Rosemont1 school South Barrington1 school Stone Park1 school Thornton1 school Willow Springs1 school

About Cook County

Cook County is a sizable county of about 5,182,090 residents in Illinois. Its public-school system educates approximately 697,934 students across 1406 schools.

Zooming out, census numbers show the median household earns about $83,498 a year, 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%. That income level is 19% higher than the Illinois median.

Looking at the level breakdown, Cook County covers 966 elementary schools (387,587 students), 151 middle schools (80,599), 270 high schools (224,702), and 19 combined or other schools.

The largest single district in Cook County is Chicago Public Schools Dist 299, which alone enrolls about 324,396 students.

Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment shrank 9%: 767,375 students in SY 2017-18 versus 696,942 in SY 2024-25. The school count fell from 1369 to 1268 across the same 7-year window.

On this page, the community for Cook County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Cook County?

There are 1,406 public K-12 schools in Cook County, Illinois, with a combined enrollment of about 697,934.

How many high schools are in Cook County?

Cook County, Illinois has 270 public high schools, serving approximately 224,702 students.

How many middle schools are in Cook County?

Cook County, Illinois has 151 public middle schools, serving approximately 80,599 students.

How many elementary schools are in Cook County?

Cook County, Illinois has 966 public elementary schools, serving approximately 387,587 students.

What is the largest school district in Cook County?

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 is the largest school district in Cook County, serving approximately 324,396 students. The county contains 171 school districts overall.

How many people live in Cook County?

Cook County has roughly 5,182,090 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.

What is the median household income in Cook County?

Median household income in Cook County is $83,498, above the Illinois average of $70,291. About 9.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.

How educated are residents of Cook County?

Approximately 42.7% of adults 25 and older in Cook County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.

What share of students in Cook County qualify for free or reduced lunch?

Roughly 66.0% of students in Cook County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Illinois county average of 51.1%.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Cook County schools?

Across Cook County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 14.9 to 1.

Cook County school rankings

Largest schools All rankings →

DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data