Crystal Lake, Cary High Schools Ranked Among Best In State: Report

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — U.S. News & World Report recently unveiled its 2024 roundup of the Best High Schools in Illinois, with local high schools making the list.

Of the 724 high schools in Illinois that were evaluated, Prairie Ridge High School came in at No. 64 on the list and Cary-Grove was ranked as the 69th best high school in the state. Meanwhile, Crystal Lake South High School received a ranking of 86 and Crystal Lake Central was 121st on the list.

Check out the top 12 high schools in Illinois, per U.S. News & World Report's evaluation:

1. Payton Preparatory High School, Chicago
2. Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago
3. Young Magnet High School, Chicago
4. Jones College Prep High School, Chicago
5. Lane Technical High School, Chicago
6. Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire
7. Brooks College Prep Academy High School, Chicago
8. Vernon Hills High School, Vernon Hills
9. Hancock College Preparatory High School, Chicago
10. New Trier Township High School, Winnetka
11. Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale
12. Libertyville High School, Libertyville

The study reviewed more than 17,000 high schools on the following six metrics:

• College readiness
• College curriculum breadth
• State assessment proficiency
• State assessment performance
• Underserved student performance
• Graduation rate

“The U.S. News & World Report article confirms what we already know: District 99 schools are two of the best schools in Illinois and the nation,” District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele said in a news release.

Thiele added, “More reflective of our performance are measures tracked by the State of Illinois, which provide a more comprehensive picture of our quality educational programs."