How Area High Schools Fare on a National Stage

Sixteen area high schools are ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s evaluation of nearly 22,000 American public high schools, including and .

The rankings were released as part of the Best High School rankings, now in its fourth edition.

The methodology to produce the rankings included test scores, state assessments and college-level coursework, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, both of which include college-level courses. U.S. News & World explained its methodology here. 

Schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on state proficiency standards, how well they prepare students for college, and other factors.

The only gold medalists in the list below are Hinsdale Central High School and Oak Park-River Forest High School. All the other schools are silver medalists. For the complete list, click here. Then filter by state to see all of Illinois’ ranked schools.

St. Charles North is ranked 591 in the survey and ranks 24 in Illinois. North students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams, with a parrticipation rate of 51 percent. The survey gave it a college readiness index of 42.3.

St. Charles East is ranked 805 nationally and ranks 35 in Illinois. East students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams, with a parrticipation rate of 45 percent. East has a college readiness index of 36.1, according to the survey.

Here are other area rankings. The first number tells where the school placed nationally; the second number tells where the school is on the state list. Each link will take you to the information in the report about that school.

Hinsdale Central High School: No. 235 in the country; No. 6 in the state

Oak Park-River Forest High School: No. 516; No. 22

St. Charles North High School: No. 591; No. 24

Glenbard West High School: No. 594, No. 25

Neuqua Valley High School: No. 646, No. 27

Wheaton Warrenville South High School: No. 670, No. 28

York Community High School: No. 726, No. 31

Wheaton North High School: No. 732, No. 32

Naperville North High School: No. 786, No. 34

St. Charles East High School: No. 805, No. 35

Downers Grove North High School: No. 867, No. 37

Lyons Township High School : No. 874, No. 38

Glenbard South High School: No. 1,114, No. 44

Naperville Central High School: No. 1,138, No. 47

Geneva Community High School: No. 1,475, No. 55

Downers Grove South High School: No. 1,530, No. 57