When it comes to choosing the right school for your child, location can be just as important as the actual education. In some cases, it can even be more important. In a city like Chicago, there are plenty of great schools for every kind of learner.
Some cater to students who love the sciences, while others are perfect for those who love the arts. The right k-12 school for your child will depend on numerous factors, including their interests, their home life, and their neighborhood school.
Here are Chicago’s top-rated K-12 schools for your child:
1. Universal Joy Elementary School
Located in the Washington Park neighborhood on the city’s South Side, Universal Joy Elementary School is an excellent option for those who love art. The school’s namesake, Joy Stoner, was the former principal of the Chicago Public Schools’ first all-black school, and her love of art and students is reflected in the school’s curriculum.
The school offers a full continuum of visual and performing arts, including art, drama and music classes for students in pre-K through fifth grade. A special education program for students in grades K-5 is also available.
2. Northside Community Academy
Northside Community Academy is located in the Lathrop Homes neighborhood on the city’s West Side. The school is a part of the Chicago Public Schools’ magnet program, and it has a variety of special programs for students, including an occupational and physical therapy program, as well as a pilot program for the International Baccalaureate program.
The school also partners with the nearby University of Chicago Lab School to offer a dual-enrollment program, which allows students to earn college credit while in high school.
3. Whitney M. Young Magnet School
Housed in the Near North Side’s Old Town neighborhood, Whitney M. Young Magnet School is an award-winning school that offers a creative, inquiry-based curriculum for students in grades K-8.
The school is particularly known for its foreign language offerings, with classes in Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin and Spanish available to students.
Young Magnet also has a pilot program for the International Baccalaureate program for students in grades 9-12. The school also has an active music program, with choirs, bands and orchestras for students in all grade levels.
4. Northside College Preparatory School
Northside College Preparatory School, located in the Avondale neighborhood, is a selective college-preparatory school that offers a full range of both academic and arts-based programs for students in grades 9-12.
The school’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy is especially notable, with courses in Acting for Film and Theater, Dance Expression and Creative Writing. Students can also choose from a variety of Advanced Placement courses in subjects like Computer Science, English and Studio Art.
5. Malcolm X College Preparatory High School
Located in the West Englewood neighborhood, Malcolm X College Preparatory High School is a public, four-year high school that has earned a spot on Chicago’s list of top-performing high schools.
The school’s extensive college counseling program, which is overseen by the Malcolm X College and Neighborhood Academy, is designed to help students identify the best college options for their academic and personal goals.
In addition to strong academics, the school’s athletics are especially competitive, with state championships in boys’ basketball and baseball.
6. North Park Academy
North Park is a co-ed, independent K-12 school located in the Near West Side neighborhood. The school was founded in 1857 and has a long history of serving the local community, with students representing the city’s many diverse neighborhoods. The school offers a full range of both academic and extracurricular programs for students in grades 9-12. North Park’s rigorous academic program emphasizes critical thinking, math and writing skills, with a particular focus on science and social justice.
7. Chinatown International School
Chinatown International School is an independent K-12 school located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The school’s small, personalized curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning while providing a strong academic background.
One of the most notable aspects of the school is its emphasis on the arts, with classes available in music, art, dance and theater. The school also has a language learning program, with classes available in Chinese, Japanese, French and Spanish.
Private Schools
In addition to the public schools listed above, Chicago has an extensive network of private schools, many of which are excellent options for families looking for a more individualized educational experience for their children.
The city has a vibrant charter school movement, with more than 100 charter schools spread across the area. Private schools, on the other hand, tend to be more selective in their admissions process.
Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing the right school for your child, location can be just as important as the actual education. In some cases, it can even be more important. In a city like Chicago, there are plenty of great schools for every kind of learner.
Some cater to students who love the sciences, while others are perfect for those who love the arts. The right k-12 school for your child will depend on numerous factors, including their interests, their home life and their neighborhood school.