Where can you find the 10 best elementary schools in Illinois? See US News’ picks
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- U.S. News ranks Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center Illinois’ top elementary school.
- U.S. News evaluated more than 3,400 Illinois pre-K, elementary and middle schools.
- U.S. News compared schools on math and reading proficiency.
A Chicago institution with an 87% proficiency rate for math and reading is the best elementary school in Illinois, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
The Best Illinois Elementary Schools analysis for 2026 put Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center in the No. 1 spot in the state, among more than 3,400 pre-K, elementary and middle schools evaluated.
The latest U.S. News & World Report elementary school rankings were released Oct. 28 and compared schools’ performance in reading and math proficiency and more.
While no metro-east elementary schools were named among the top 50 in Illinois, two area public schools were recently named in the top 10% of highest-performing schools in the state from the Illinois Report Card, a product of the state board of education.
For a statewide view on how the top 10 best elementary schools in Illinois compare, here’s what U.S. News & World Report found.
Top 10 best elementary schools in Illinois
1. Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Enrollment: 265 from Kindergarten through eighth grade
Location: Chicago
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center has an 87% proficiency rate for math and reading, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. The school had the No. 1 best reading proficiency score among Illinois elementary schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The News-Democrat has contacted staff with Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center for comment on the No. 1 ranking.
2. Skinner North Elementary School
Enrollment: 512 from Kindergarten through eighth grade
Location: Chicago
Skinner North Elementary School has an 81% reading proficiency rate and a 92% math proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. The institution tied for the No. 1 elementary school math proficiency rate, in U.S. News & World Report’s analysis.
3. Thurgood Marshall Elementary
Enrollment: 378 from first through fourth grade
Location: Rockford
Thurgood Marshall Elementary has a 92% math proficiency rate and an 82% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18-to-1. The school tied Skinner North Elementary School for the No. 1 math proficiency rate.
4. The Lane Elementary School
Enrollment: 342 from Kindergarten to fifth grade
Location: Hinsdale
The Lane Elementary School has an 87% math proficiency rate and an 82% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. The school tied for fourth place for its reading proficiency rate and landed in fifth for math proficiency.
5. Decatur Classical Elementary School
Enrollment: 329 from Kindergarten to eighth grade
Location: Chicago
Decatur Classical Elementary School has an 88% math proficiency rate and an 85% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. The school performed “well above expectations” for elementary school reading and math performance, according to U.S. News.
6. Meadow Glens Elementary School
Enrollment: 483 from Kindergarten to fifth grade
Location: Naperville
Meadow Glens Elementary School has an 80% math proficiency rate and an 85% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The school’s student-to-teacher ratio is better than its district’s rate, according to U.S. News & World Report, and the institution ranked No. 2 for its reading proficiency rate.
7. Elm Elementary School
Enrollment: 296 from Kindergarten to fifth grade
Location: Burr Ridge
Elm Elementary School has an 82% proficiency rate in math and reading, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10-to-1. The school received a National Blue Ribbon Award earlier this year.
8. Westmoor Elementary School
Enrollment: 352 from pre-K to fifth grade
Location: Northbrook
Westmoor Elementary School has an 82% math proficiency rate and a 77% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10-to-1. The school tied for ninth in reading proficiency and sixth in math proficiency.
9. Prospect Elementary School
Enrollment: 313 from Kindergarten to fifth grade
Location: Clarendon Hills
Prospect Elementary School has an 82% math proficiency rate and a 77% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Prospect Elementary tied with Westmoor Elementary for reading and math proficiency rates.
10. Highlands Elementary School
Enrollment: 525 from Kindergarten to fifth grade
Location: Naperville
Highlands Elementary School has an 80% math proficiency rate and a 77% reading proficiency rate, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Highlands Elementary performed “well above expectations” for school reading and math performance, according to U.S. News.
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This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
