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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
7%
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
19
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
8%
Two or more
13%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
24%
Hispanic
40%
Black
25%
Asian
7%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
42.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.0%
civilian labor
Median age
38
21.1% under 18

Test scores in Cook County

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

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

All schools (1,406)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Liberty Junior High SchoolBurbankMiddle06-081,087·
Haugan Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-081,065·
North-Grand High SchoolChicagoHigh09-121,061·
Northside College Preparatory HsChicagoHigh09-121,061·
Noble St Chtr-Chicago Bulls PrepChicagoHigh09-121,060·
Clinton Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-081,050·
Hancock College Preparatory HSChicagoHigh09-121,050·
H H Conrady Jr High SchoolHickory HillsMiddle06-081,047·
Tinley Park High SchoolTinley ParkHigh09-121,042·
Back of The Yards IB HSChicagoHigh09-121,039·
Marquette Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-081,030·
Thomas Middle SchoolArlington HeightsMiddle06-081,024·
Elmwood Park High SchoolElmwood ParkHigh09-121,015·
Eberhart Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-081,011·
Brooks College Prep Academy HSChicagoHigh07-121,007·
Noble St Chtr-Comer College PrepChicagoHigh06-121,007·
Beaubien Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-081,004·
Gray Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-081,000·
KIPP One AcademyChicagoElementaryKG-08996·
Intrinsic Charter High SchoolChicagoHigh07-12993·
Noble St Chtr-Pritzker Col PrepChicagoHigh09-12993·
Goode STEM Academy HSChicagoHigh09-12991·
Lyon Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08988·
Ridgewood Comm High SchoolNorridgeHigh09-12988·
Barrington Mdle Sch- Prairie CmpsBarringtonMiddle06-08980·
Thornridge High SchoolDoltonHigh09-12969·
Noble St Chtr-UIC College PrepChicagoHigh09-12957·
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle SchoolOak ParkMiddle06-08947·
Evergreen Park High SchoolEvergreen ParkHigh09-12941·
J Sterling Morton Freshman CntrCiceroHigh09-09941·
Portage Park Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08933·
Percy Julian Middle SchoolOak ParkMiddle06-08927·
Dawes Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08926·
Proviso Math and Science AcademyForest ParkHigh09-12925·
Hibbard Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-06924·
Maria Saucedo Magnet AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08922·
KIPP Chicago Chrtrs Bloom CampusChicagoElementaryKG-08921·
Nightingale Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08917·
Peterson Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08913·
Noble St Chtr-Muchin College PrepChicagoHigh09-12909·
Bateman Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08904·
Bell Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryKG-08902·
KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend AcadChicagoElementaryKG-08897·
Emerson Middle SchoolNilesMiddle06-08890·
Brook Park Elem SchoolLa Grange ParkElementaryKG-05889·
Pulaski Intl Sch of ChicagoChicagoElementaryPK-08889·
Barrington Middle Sch StationBarringtonMiddle06-08886·
New Trier Township H S NorthfieldNorthfieldHigh09-09886·
Park View Elem SchoolMorton GroveElementaryPK-08885·
Sawyer Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08885·
CICS - Northtown CampusChicagoHigh09-12878·
Horizon Science Acad-McKinley PkChicagoCombinedKG-12873·
Chicago Heights Middle SchoolChicago HtsMiddle06-08872·
Lincoln Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryKG-08868·
Old Quarry Middle SchLemontMiddle06-08856·
Memorial Jr High SchoolLansingMiddle06-08854·
Hayt Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08851·
Twain Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08850·
South Loop Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08847·
Winston Campus Middle SchoolPalatineMiddle06-08847·
Falconer Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-06846·
Lloyd Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-05844·
Richardson Middle SchoolChicagoMiddle05-08844·
Hyde Park Academy High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12838·
Perspectives Chtr - Leadership AcChicagoHigh06-12838·
Thorp O A Elem Scholastic AcadChicagoElementaryKG-08831·
Chicago HS for Agricult SciencesChicagoHigh09-12827·
Jamieson Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08825·
Parker Junior High SchoolFlossmoorMiddle06-08822·
King College Prep High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12819·
Ogden Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08819·
South Middle SchoolArlington HeightsMiddle06-08812·
Springman Middle SchoolGlenviewMiddle06-08811·
Monarcas AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-05797·
National Teachers Elem AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08795·
McPherson Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08794·
Lincoln Middle SchoolBerwynMiddle06-08793·
Canty Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08791·
Hale Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08791·
Tarkington Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08791·
Kilmer Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08790·
Rogers Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08790·
Michael Collins Elem SchoolSchaumburgElementaryKG-06789·
Horizon Science Acad-BelmontChicagoCombinedKG-10785·
Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad CtChicagoElementaryPK-08784·
Lincoln Middle SchoolMt ProspectMiddle06-08784·
Englewood STEM High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12778·
Peck Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-04777·
Budlong Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08776·
Oak Ridge Elem SchoolPalos HillsElementary02-05774·
Smyser Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08773·
Lincoln Elementary SchoolPalatineElementaryPK-05772·
Mannheim Middle SchoolMelrose ParkMiddle06-08768·
Reinberg Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08768·
Prairie-Hills Junior High SchoolMarkhamMiddle06-08766·
Wilmette Junior High SchoolWilmetteMiddle07-08766·
Cardenas Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08764·
Brentano Elem Math & Science AcadChicagoElementaryPK-08763·
Sullivan High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12762·
Eastview Middle SchoolBartlettMiddle07-08757·

Cities in Cook County

Chicago657 schoolsDes Plaines21 schoolsArlington Heights20 schoolsChicago Heights20 schoolsEvanston19 schoolsMaywood19 schoolsCicero18 schoolsOak Forest17 schoolsBurbank16 schoolsPalatine16 schoolsGlenview15 schoolsOrland Park15 schoolsSchaumburg15 schoolsSkokie15 schoolsSouth Holland15 schoolsCalumet City14 schoolsHoffman Estates14 schoolsLa Grange14 schoolsOak Lawn14 schoolsBerwyn13 schoolsDolton11 schoolsNorthbrook11 schoolsOak Park11 schoolsTinley Park11 schoolsElk Grove Village10 schoolsBlue Island9 schoolsPark Ridge9 schoolsStreamwood9 schoolsHarvey8 schoolsLansing8 schoolsMount Prospect8 schoolsWheeling8 schoolsWilmette8 schoolsAlsip7 schoolsBarrington7 schoolsCrestwood7 schoolsFranklin Park7 schoolsMorton Grove7 schoolsMt Prospect7 schoolsPark Forest7 schoolsRolling Meadows7 schoolsBellwood6 schoolsEvergreen Park6 schoolsHanover Park6 schoolsMatteson6 schoolsMelrose Park6 schoolsMidlothian6 schoolsNiles6 schoolsNorthlake6 schoolsPalos Heights6 schoolsRiverdale6 schoolsWinnetka6 schoolsBartlett5 schoolsCountry Club Hills5 schoolsFlossmoor5 schoolsForest Park5 schoolsLemont5 schoolsMarkham5 schoolsProspect Heights5 schoolsRichton Park5 schoolsRiverside5 schoolsSummit5 schoolsWorth5 schoolsBrookfield4 schoolsBuffalo Grove4 schoolsChicago Hts4 schoolsElgin4 schoolsElmwood Park4 schoolsGlenwood4 schoolsHazel Crest4 schoolsJustice4 schoolsLa Grange Park4 schoolsLincolnwood4 schoolsNorridge4 schoolsNorthfield4 schoolsWestchester4 schoolsWestern Springs4 schoolsBridgeview3 schoolsCalumet Park3 schoolsChicago Ridge3 schoolsDixmoor3 schoolsGlencoe3 schoolsHickory Hills3 schoolsHomewood3 schoolsLyons3 schoolsPalos Hills3 schoolsRiver Forest3 schoolsRiver Grove3 schoolsSauk Village3 schoolsSchiller Park3 schoolsBerkeley2 schoolsBroadview2 schoolsFord Heights2 schoolsHillside2 schoolsLa Grange Highlands2 schoolsOlympia Fields2 schoolsPalos Park2 schoolsPosen2 schoolsRobbins2 schoolsSouth Chicago Heights2 schoolsStickney2 schoolsBedford Park1 schoolBurnham1 schoolBurr Ridge1 schoolCountryside1 schoolE Hazel Crest1 schoolHarwood Heights1 schoolHodgkins1 schoolHoffman Est1 schoolHometown1 schoolKenilworth1 schoolLagrange1 schoolLynwood1 schoolMerrionette Park1 schoolNorth Riverside1 schoolNorthlake1 schoolOrland Hills1 schoolPhoenix1 schoolProspect Hts1 schoolRoselle1 schoolRosemont1 schoolSouth Barrington1 schoolStone Park1 schoolThornton1 schoolWillow 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 schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data