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Lake County

Illinois · Public K-12

Lake County reports 214 public K-12 schools and roughly 118,032 students enrolled, per NCES, with a mix of 132 elementary, 45 middle, and 35 high.

7-year change in Lake County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
117,662
-9,410 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
185
-16 (-8%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
42%
was 47%
% Hispanic
36%
was 33%
% Black
7%
was 7%
% Asian
10%
was 9%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
214
51 districts
Enrollment
118,032
NCES CCD
Median income
$110,416
Above Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
54.3%
Above Illinois avg
Elementary
132
51,559 students
Middle
45
25,424 students
High
35
41,049 students
Combined / other
2
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Waukegan CUSD 60
13,640 students · 51 districts in Lake County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Lake 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
61%
Hispanic
25%
Black
7%
Asian
9%
Two or more
13%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
42%
Hispanic
36%
Black
7%
Asian
10%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
47.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.2%
civilian labor
Median age
39
23.3% under 18

Test scores in Lake County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 144 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.

See all 144 schools in Lake County ranked by score →

All schools (214)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Woodview SchoolGrayslakeElementaryKG-04450·
Wayne Thomas Elem SchoolHighland ParkElementaryKG-05449·
Roslyn Road Elem SchoolBarringtonElementaryKG-05447·
Walden Elem SchoolDeerfieldElementaryKG-05445·
Charles J Caruso Middle SchoolDeerfieldMiddle06-08440·
Country Meadows Elem SchoolLong GroveElementary01-05439·
Whittier Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05438·
Prairie Crossing Charter SchoolGrayslakeElementaryKG-08433·
Village Elementary SchoolRound LakeElementary03-05433·
North Barrington Elem SchoolNorth BarringtonElementaryKG-05432·
Earl Pritchett SchoolBuffalo GroveElementaryKG-03430·
Lyon Magnet Elementary SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05430·
Sarah Adams Elementary SchoolLake ZurichElementaryKG-05429·
Kildeer Countryside Elem SchoolLong GroveElementary01-05428·
South Park Elem SchoolDeerfieldElementaryPK-05424·
Little Fort Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05421·
Wauconda Grade SchoolWaucondaElementaryPK-05421·
Zion-Benton East High SchoolZionHigh09-12419·
W J Murphy Elem SchoolRound Lake ParkElementaryKG-02414·
Hawthorn Sch of Dual LanguageVernon HillsElementaryKG-05413·
Clearview Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryPK-05404·
Prairieview SchoolHainesvilleElementaryKG-04400·
H R McCall Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05396·
Andrew Cooke Magnet Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05395·
Kenneth Murphy SchoolBeach ParkElementaryKG-05394·
Millburn Middle SchoolLindenhurstMiddle06-08388·
A J Katzenmaier AcademyNorth ChicagoElementary04-05387·
Big Hollow Primary SchoolInglesideElementaryPK-01387·
Forrestal Elem SchoolGreat LakesElementaryKG-03386·
Washington Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05384·
Copeland Manor Elem SchoolLibertyvilleElementaryKG-05378·
Deer Path Middle Sch EastLake ForestMiddle05-06375·
Pleviak Elem SchoolLake VillaElementaryKG-KG370·
Avon Center Elem SchoolRound Lake BeachElementaryKG-04361·
Deer Path Middle Sch WestLake ForestMiddle07-08361·
Willow Grove Early Learning CtrBuffalo GroveElementaryPK-KG360·
Shiloh Park Middle SchoolZionMiddle06-08358·
Evelyn Alexander SchoolNorth ChicagoElementaryKG-03354·
Meadowview SchoolGrayslakeElementaryKG-04351·
Hawthorn Elem School NorthVernon HillsElementary01-05347·
Westfield SchoolWinthrop HarborElementaryPK-04346·
Lotus SchoolSpring GroveElementaryPK-04345·
Cherokee Elem SchoolLake ForestElementaryKG-04343·
Sherwood Elem SchoolHighland ParkElementaryKG-05342·
West Elementary SchoolZionElementary03-05339·
Elmwood Elem SchoolZionElementary03-05336·
Zion Central Middle SchoolZionMiddle06-08330·
Gavin South Middle SchoolInglesideMiddle05-08325·
Park West SchoolRound LakeMiddle05-08321·
Greenwood Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryPK-05318·
Howe Elementary SchoolBeach ParkElementaryKG-05318·
Hawthorn Aspen Elem SchoolVernon HillsElementary01-05313·
Park East SchoolRound LakeElementaryKG-04312·
Everett Elem SchoolLake ForestElementaryKG-04308·
Oak Crest SchoolBeach ParkElementaryPK-05308·
Hawthorn Townline Elem SchVernon HillsElementary01-05306·
Lake Bluff Middle SchoolLake BluffMiddle06-08305·
Rockland Elem SchoolLibertyvilleElementaryKG-05305·
LEARN 10 Charter SchoolNorth ChicagoElementaryKG-08297·
Hyde Park Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05295·
Beulah Park Elem SchoolZionElementaryPK-02289·
Emmons Grade SchoolAntiochElementaryKG-08288·
Ravinia Elem SchoolHighland ParkElementaryKG-05285·
West Oak Middle SchoolMundeleinMiddle06-08280·
East Elementary SchoolZionElementaryPK-02275·
West Oak Intermediate SchoolMundeleinElementary03-05268·
Sheridan Elem SchoolLake ForestElementaryPK-04265·
Diamond Lake SchoolMundeleinElementaryPK-02262·
John S Clark Elem SchoolWaukeganElementaryKG-05262·
Newport Elem SchoolWadsworthElementaryKG-05261·
Braeside Elem SchoolHighland ParkElementaryKG-05260·
Stanton SchoolFox LakeMiddle05-08255·
Lakeview SchoolZionElementaryPK-02249·
Hawthorn Sch for Young LearnersVernon HillsElementaryKG-KG248·
North Prairie Jr HighWinthrop HarborMiddle05-08240·
Adler Park SchoolLibertyvilleElementaryKG-05238·
Red Oak Elem SchoolHighland ParkElementaryKG-05225·
Early Learning CenterWaukeganElementaryPK-PK221·
Green Bay Early Childhood CenterNorth ChicagoElementaryPK-PK211·
Grass Lake Elem SchoolAntiochElementaryPK-08186·
Bannockburn SchoolBannockburnElementaryKG-08165·
Rondout Elem SchoolLake ForestElementaryKG-08151·
Grayslake Early ChildhoodHainesvilleElementaryPK-PK147·
Lincoln SchoolMundeleinElementaryPK-PK128·
Mary Kay McNeill ELCAntiochElementaryPK-PK108·
Lincoln Elem SchoolMundeleinElementaryPK-PK88·
Allendale SchoolLake VillaHigh09-120·
Bridges Program ALOPGurneeHigh09-120·
District 128 Transition Pthwys CtLibertyvilleHigh12-120·
Early Childhood FacilityRound LakeElementaryPK-PK0·
Exceptional Learners CollaborativVernon HillsHigh06-120·
Lake Co Collaborative AlopGrayslakeHigh07-120·
Lake Co High Schools Tech CampusGrayslakeHigh09-120·
Lake Co Hulse Detention Center 6-Vernon HillsMiddle06-080·
Lake Co Hulse Detention Center 9-Vernon HillsHigh09-120·
Lake County Cooperative ALOPGages LakeHigh06-120·
Lake Zurich CUSD 95 Young Adult CLake ZurichHigh12-120·
Laremont SchoolGages LakeCombinedPK-120·
North Shore AcademyHighland ParkHigh06-120·
North Shore Academy ElemHighland ParkElementaryKG-060·

Cities in Lake County

Waukegan23 schoolsVernon Hills15 schoolsHighland Park14 schoolsMundelein14 schoolsGrayslake9 schoolsZion9 schoolsBuffalo Grove8 schoolsLibertyville8 schoolsRound Lake8 schoolsAntioch7 schoolsDeerfield7 schoolsGages Lake7 schoolsGurnee7 schoolsLake Forest7 schoolsLake Villa7 schoolsLake Zurich6 schoolsNorth Chicago6 schoolsIngleside5 schoolsWauconda5 schoolsBeach Park4 schoolsLincolnshire4 schoolsHawthorn Woods3 schoolsLong Grove3 schoolsRound Lake Beach3 schoolsBarrington2 schoolsFox Lake2 schoolsGreat Lakes2 schoolsHainesville2 schoolsLake Bluff2 schoolsLindenhurst2 schoolsRound Lake Heights2 schoolsWadsworth2 schoolsWinthrop Harbor2 schoolsBannockburn1 schoolHighwood1 schoolIsland Lake1 schoolNorth Barrington1 schoolOld Mill Creek1 schoolRound Lake Park1 schoolSpring Grove1 school

About Lake County

In Illinois, Lake County is a population-heavy county of about 714,223 residents. 214 public schools across the county serves about 118,032 students between them.

Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $110,416, about 48% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 6%. That income level is 57% noticeably above the Illinois median.

In terms of grade levels, Lake County spans 132 elementary schools (51,559 students), 45 middle schools (25,424), 35 high schools (41,049), and 2 combined or other schools.

Waukegan CUSD 60 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 13,640 students on its own.

Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment decreased 7%: 127,072 students in SY 2017-18 versus 117,662 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Lake County lost 16 schools, going from 201 to 185. Demographically, the White share of enrollment fell from 47% to 42%.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Lake County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Lake County?
There are 214 public K-12 schools in Lake County, Illinois, with a combined enrollment of about 118,032.
How many high schools are in Lake County?
Lake County, Illinois has 35 public high schools, serving approximately 41,049 students.
How many middle schools are in Lake County?
Lake County, Illinois has 45 public middle schools, serving approximately 25,424 students.
How many elementary schools are in Lake County?
Lake County, Illinois has 132 public elementary schools, serving approximately 51,559 students.
What is the largest school district in Lake County?
Waukegan CUSD 60 is the largest school district in Lake County, serving approximately 13,640 students. The county contains 51 school districts overall.
How many people live in Lake County?
Lake County has roughly 714,223 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Lake County?
Median household income in Lake County is $110,416, above the Illinois average of $70,291. About 5.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Lake County?
Approximately 47.7% of adults 25 and older in Lake County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Lake County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 54.3% of students in Lake 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 Lake County schools?
Across Lake County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.2 to 1.

Lake County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data