As the economic powerhouse of the Midwest, Chicago has several high-caliber schools to help prepare students for a well-paying career. Within a 25-mile radius, there are roughly 148 colleges and institutions to choose from.
In Chicago, a student's probability of receiving into one of the city's finest high schools is determined according to where they live. Hence, you cannot just enter any high schools or colleges. The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) divides the city into four socioeconomic "tiers," with Tier 1 residents receiving less money and having less education, and Tier 4 residents earning more money and having more education. This tool can help you determine the CPS tier you're in.
Education in Chicago is tricky. Most public schools suffer from underfunding, a lack of skilled teachers, and the resources required to reach pupils. But if you research well before you move, you can choose the neighborhood with the right schools for your children’s needs.
The most successful schools have a few things in common: money for resources and skilled professors, a big number of AP courses and examinations, as well as a variety of sports and organizations to keep students well-rounded throughout their academic careers.
Best Communities Around Chicago's Top Schools
Here are the best communities around Chicago’s top schools.
1. Barrington
Barrington is a simply beautiful place to live in. Here you can find many stellar public amenities, especially for students. Its school district also received many top awards while operating with a balanced budget.
With a strong college preparation flow from elementary, the overall graduation percentage is an astounding 95 percent. Aside from their outstanding academics, the kids can participate in a variety of sports, organizations, and activities, resulting in a well-rounded graduate.
Barrington Community Unit School District 220 was formed in 1973 as a consolidated unit, which now educates students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Barrington 220 has one high school, two middle school campuses for grades 6-8, eight elementary schools, and one early childhood center.
Barrington District 220 educates nearly 9,000 students: pre-kindergarten through grade 12
Barrington District 220 serves students from a 72 square mile area including all or part of Barrington, Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, Deer Park, Fox River Grove, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes.
Barrington is simply the best community if you want top-notch education for you and your family. It has earned several different awards for scholastic excellence. Here are the specifics:
- Barrington 220 named one of America’s “2020 Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation
- Barrington 220 named 2019 Top Workplace in Chicagoland by the Chicago Tribune
- Barrington High School named one of America’s Best High School’s in 2020 US News & World Report
- Consistently ranked in top 10 school districts in Illinois by Niche
- Named 2018 best district in Illinois by 24/7 Wall Street
- Barrington schools have received a total of 11 National Blue Ribbon Awards
- All Barrington 220 elementary schools have received the Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award
- Barrington 220 has earned a spot on the College Board AP Honor Roll five times
- BHS named 2018 Democracy School
- BHS named Apple Distinguished School
- “Outperformer” award from Standard & Poor’s for academic achievement among school districts with similar demographics
- AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s for past 11 years (one of only 93 districts nationwide to receive AAA bond rating)
- Barrington has balanced its budget for 22 consecutive years
- Barrington earned the highest financial rating from the State of Illinois
All in all, I highly recommend you move to Barrington if you want your children to live and learn towards a successful future.
2. Naperville
Consistently in the lists of best places to work, live and raise a family, Naperville is a fine community with a lot to offer. Naperville hosts over 50 schools rated good and higher by GreatSchools.org. And you can live comfortably here with a fairly affordable median home priced at $450,000.
Indian Prairie Community Unit School District No. 204 and Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203 are both located in Naperville. These two schools are consistently ranked among the top ten educational institutions in the Chicago suburbs.
Average standardized test results, such as the Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT), the ACT, and the SAT, are consistently among the highest in the state, if not the country. Graduation rates are also above national and state averages.
Another trusted college in Naperville is Northern Central College. North Central College gives students the confidence, education, and guidance they need to outperform their personal bests in and out of the classroom, as well as throughout their careers. Fun fact, North Central College Coffee Lab is one of just a few college-operated facilities in the country dedicated to learning the craft of coffee, and the first to focus on the coffee business.
3. Northfield
If you love green spaces and large lots in your home, Northfield might fit you and your family. This low-crime neighborhood has a median home price of $785,000.
Northfield children attend some of the best public and private schools in the state. From preschool to high school, Northfield residents can be sure their kids are getting an excellent and well-balanced education. Here are the schools you will find if you move to Northfield:
- Avoca, District 37
- Christian Heritage Academy
- Glenbrook, District 225
- Glenview Montessori School
- Glenview, District 34
- Hyde Park Day School
- New Trier, District 203
- Northfield Community Nursery School
- Sunset Ridge, District 29
Since its foundation in 1901, the New Trier Township High School District Number 203 has been known for academic distinction and is ranked 51st in the United States. Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, and Northfield are all served by the district.
The district spends about $15,000 per student per year, nearly double the state average of $8,786. Due to a rich and dynamic curriculum, extracurricular activities, and great athletic participation, Town and Country rated New Trier as "very possibly the top public school in America."
4. Glenview
Are you looking for a community with holistic views on education? Look no further than Glenview.
The 97th greatest high school district in the United States is Northfield Township High School District No. 225 (also known as Glenbrook High School District 225). Its excellent rating is due to its emphasis on three areas: academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Students can study a variety of topics and learn more about their hobbies with over 300-course options. There are also essential academic courses that cover the entire spectrum of education. Students can participate in 25 different competitive sports as well as club sports outside of the classroom.
If you are seeking to study in-depth in the field of medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians is here in Glenview! The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is a global pioneer in improving patient outcomes via innovative chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care.
To move to this scholastic neighborhood, prepare yourself for the median home price of $525,000.
5. Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is an upscale suburb of Chicago with a population of 7,572. Residents here earn on average $116,316 per month. And most of them own their homes with the median home valued at $508,700. The public schools in Lincolnshire are highly rated, including Bannockburn School and Adlai E. Stevenson High School.
Loyola University Chicago is right outside of Lincolnshire on Lake Michigan. Another Loyola location is tight in the heart of Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile.
6. Wheaton
Wheaton is another Chicago suburb with a terrific suburban feel and a plethora of amenities for a pleasant and convenient lifestyle. It's also not far from the College of DuPage, so if you decide to study there, you'll have no trouble finding a place to live nearby.
Wheaton College is right downtown. They offer liberal arts education deep-rooted from the view of a Christian. Develop your talents and a valued skillset at the academic home of integrated religion and learning, where the concept of Christian Liberal Arts has been developed for over a century.
The average home price here is only around $385,000!
7. Vernon Hills
Another fine community renowned for its education is Vernon Hills. The housing market here is balanced, with a median price of $384,900.
Community High School District No. 128 in Vernon Hills, Illinois, is ranked fourth.
Because of the availability of Advanced Placement courses and examinations, this school district is consistently placed at the top. The participation rate for Advanced Placement is 55%, with 93 percent of students passing the classes and examinations. The United States Department of Education has named Community High School District No. 128 as the best in the country.
Within 50 miles of Vernon Hills, there are 72 colleges with a combined enrollment of 477,311 students.
Trinity International University in Deerfield is the closest college, located 4.7 miles from Vernon Hills. Driving time from Vernon Hills to these schools should be less than an hour.
The University of Chicago is the best-rated college in the area. The University of Illinois is the largest college in the area, with 31,683 students enrolled.
8. Hinsdale
With a median home price of $949,000, Hinsdale is a community that you need to earn well and save a lot to afford the high economic potential and robust educational system here.
The Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86, which is located in the town of Hinsdale, has a 66 percent Advanced Placement participation rate, with 90 percent of students passing the courses and examinations. According to the United States Department of State, the Hinsdale School District is ranked 356 and has been awarded a gold medal for its achievement on state-mandated assessments and college preparation. Hinsdale High School is also ranked 10th in Illinois and 111th in STEM High Schools. The most recent figures indicate that the graduation rate is 94-percent.
Within 50 miles of Hinsdale, there are 79 colleges with a total enrollment of 515,481 students.
Hinsdale, Illinois, has a population of 16,816. Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, which is 6.9 miles away from Hinsdale, is the closest college.
9. Glen Ellyn
This is a Chicago suburb located about 24 miles west of the city center. Glen Ellyn is known as one of the nicest locations to live in Illinois, but it is also home to the College of DuPage.
It's a well-known community college that offers a wide range of programs in a variety of fields and disciplines. While the College of DuPage does not have any on-campus housing, students can find a variety of apartments and rentals in Glen Ellyn and the neighboring areas.
If you want to move to Glen Ellyn, save up for the median home price of $435,000.
10. Northbrook
Home to 33,170 people, this village 25 miles from Chicago offers a cozy, affluent community for families. Most people own their homes with a median home price of $625,293. They have great schools for children of all ages.
For instance, Northbrook is one of the neighborhoods with schools awarded the National Blue Ribbon in 2021. The award-winning school is Maple School. Maple School is a public school located at 2370 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL. It has 402 students in the 6-8 grades. Here 81% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 83% scored at or above that level for reading.
Northbrook is also adjacent to Northwestern University, one of the greatest Ivy League universities in the country. Northbrook is a terrific place for everyone because of all this and more.
Conclusion
The University of Chicago (UChicago), Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Columbia College Chicago, Chamberlain University, DePaul University, and The University of Illinois at Chicago are all world-renowned universities with high ranks in QS and THE (UIC). Furthermore, not only do the campuses provide library and information services to students, but there are numerous inspiring, well-equipped, and beautiful libraries throughout the city to quench your thirst for knowledge
Chicago is a lovely, diversified city. There's no need to be concerned about locating rentals and apartments because it has a lot to offer. You may have to make some sacrifices in terms of transportation or living circumstances, but it is not difficult to find a suitable place to live in this city.
Are you thinking of moving to Chicago? Which of these communities interest you? Book a FREE consultation with me here.
