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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
Gage Park High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12392·
YCCS-Innovations of Arts IntegrChicagoHigh09-12392·
Illinois SchoolPark ForestElementaryKG-08391·
Kolmar Avenue Elem SchoolOak LawnElementaryKG-05391·
LEARN Chtr - South Chicago CampusChicagoElementaryKG-08390·
Seward Elem Communication Arts AcChicagoElementaryPK-08390·
Carnegie Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryKG-08389·
John Jay Elem SchoolMount ProspectElementaryKG-05389·
Kanoon Elem Magnet SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08389·
World Language High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12389·
Ashe Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08387·
Passow Elementary SchoolFranklin ParkElementaryPK-05387·
Westcott Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08387·
Orland Park Elem SchoolOrland ParkElementaryPK-02386·
Whittier Elem SchoolOak ParkElementaryPK-05386·
Jane Addams Elem SchoolMelrose ParkElementaryPK-05385·
Rutledge Hall Elem SchoolLincolnwoodElementary03-05385·
Scott Elementary SchoolMelrose ParkElementaryKG-05385·
Laurel Hill Elem SchoolHanover ParkElementaryKG-06384·
Lincoln Elem SchoolRiver ForestElementaryPK-04381·
Jefferson Primary SchoolBellwoodElementaryPK-02380·
John Laidlaw Elem SchoolWestern SpringsElementaryKG-05380·
Asian Human Srvcs-Passage ChrtrChicagoElementaryKG-08379·
LEARN Charter Excel CampusChicagoElementaryKG-06379·
Oakton Elem SchoolEvanstonElementaryKG-05379·
Orland Center SchoolOrland ParkElementaryPK-02379·
Northlake Middle SchoolNorthlakeMiddle06-08378·
Walt Whitman Elem SchoolWheelingElementaryPK-05378·
Sayre Elem Language AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08377·
Stagg Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08377·
Carleton W Washburne SchoolWinnetkaMiddle07-08376·
Brentwood Elem SchoolDes PlainesElementaryKG-05375·
Countryside Elem SchoolBarringtonElementaryKG-05375·
Burnham Elem Inclusive AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08374·
Alcott College PrepChicagoHigh09-12373·
Fiske Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08373·
Phoenix Military Academy HSChicagoHigh09-12372·
Central Elem SchoolRiversideElementaryPK-05371·
Hanover Countryside Elem SchoolStreamwoodElementaryPK-06371·
Rickover Jr High SchoolSauk VillageMiddle06-08371·
Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes ElemChicagoElementaryKG-08370·
Devonshire SchoolDes PlainesElementaryKG-05370·
Till Elem Math & Science AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08370·
Grimes Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08368·
Mae Jemison SchoolHazel CrestElementaryPK-05368·
Ridge Circle Elem SchoolStreamwoodElementaryKG-06368·
Whittier Primary SchoolNorthlakeElementaryPK-02368·
Barack Obama Sch of LdershipChicago HeightsMiddle04-06367·
Parker Elem Community AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08367·
Randolph Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08367·
Harper Elem SchoolWilmetteElementaryKG-04366·
Lincoln Elem SchoolBrookfieldElementaryPK-05366·
Jane Stenson SchoolSkokieElementaryKG-05365·
Ariel Elem Community AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08364·
Cassell Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryKG-08364·
Emerson Elem SchoolMaywoodElementaryPK-05364·
Longwood Elem SchoolGlenwoodElementaryPK-04364·
Namaste Elem Charter SchoolChicagoElementaryKG-08364·
Walker Elem SchoolEvanstonElementaryKG-05364·
Westchester Primary SchoolWestchesterElementaryPK-02364·
Grant Elem SchoolMelrose ParkElementaryKG-05363·
Timber Trails Elementary SchoolHoffman EstatesElementaryPK-06363·
Lara Elem AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08362·
Reavis Elem SchoolLansingElementaryKG-05362·
The Skokie SchoolWinnetkaMiddle05-06362·
Orr Academy High SchoolChicagoHigh09-12361·
Veterans Memorial Middle SchBlue IslandMiddle06-08361·
Crow Island Elem SchoolWinnetkaElementaryKG-04360·
Jahn Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08360·
Columbus Manor Elem SchoolOak LawnElementaryPK-05359·
Heritage Elem SchoolStreamwoodElementaryKG-06359·
Robert Frost Elem SchoolMount ProspectElementaryKG-05359·
Westmoor Elem SchoolNorthbrookElementaryPK-05358·
William Hatch Elem SchoolOak ParkElementaryPK-05358·
Flossmoor Hills Elem SchoolFlossmoorElementaryPK-05357·
LEARN Chtr-Campbell CampusChicagoElementaryKG-06357·
MacArthur Middle SchoolBerkeleyMiddle06-08357·
Curtis Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08356·
Maddock Elementary SchoolBurbankElementaryKG-05356·
Otis Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08356·
Reavis Elem Math & Sci Spec SchlChicagoElementaryPK-08356·
Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HSChicagoHigh09-12355·
Greeley Elem SchoolWinnetkaElementaryKG-04355·
Willard Elem SchoolEvanstonElementaryKG-05355·
Metcalfe Elem Community AcademyChicagoElementaryPK-08354·
Sabin Elem Magnet SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08354·
Roosevelt Elem SchoolChicago HeightsElementaryPK-05353·
Westchester Intermediate SchoolWestchesterElementary03-05353·
Greenbriar Elem SchoolNorthbrookElementaryKG-05352·
Pleasantdale Middle SchBurr RidgeMiddle05-08352·
Ryder Elem Math & Sci Spec SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08351·
Salazar Elem Bilingual CenterChicagoElementaryPK-08351·
Hubbard Woods Elem SchoolWinnetkaElementaryKG-04350·
Montessori of Englewood Chtr ESChicagoElementaryPK-08349·
Wilson Elementary SchoolCalumet CityElementaryPK-02349·
Franklin Elem Fine Arts CenterChicagoElementaryKG-08348·
Lincoln Prairie SchoolHoffman EstatesElementaryKG-08348·
Richards Career Academy HSChicagoHigh09-12348·
Smyth J Elem SchoolChicagoElementaryPK-08348·
Stuart R Paddock SchoolPalatineElementaryPK-05348·

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