New Study Names The Best Elementary Schools In Illinois

When it comes to ranking schools, Illinois residents, like parents everywhere, are always interested in seeing how their local schools stack up against the competition.

Now, there's a new report from U.S. News & World Report ranking the best public elementary schools in Illinois, and the results include a little hometown pride for the Rockford area.

According to the publication's 2027 rankings, Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center in Chicago takes the top spot in Illinois, followed by Skinner North Elementary School, also in Chicago.

But here's the big news for the Rockford area: Thurgood Marshall Elementary School ranks third in the entire state!

That's a pretty impressive showing for a local school in a ranking that includes thousands of Illinois schools.

girl wearing black headphones

Let's Take A Look At Some Numbers

Chicago Public Schools dominates the top 10, with five schools making the cut. Naperville also has a strong showing, with Meadow Glens Elementary School at #5 and Ellsworth Elementary School at #7.

Here's the complete list of Illinois' top 25 public elementary schools, according to U.S. News & World Report:

1. Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center: Chicago
2. Skinner North Elementary School: Chicago
3. Thurgood Marshall Elementary: Rockford
4. Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School: Chicago
5. Meadow Glens Elementary School: Naperville
6. Elm Elementary School: Burr Ridge
7. Ellsworth Elementary School: Naperville
8. Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy: Chicago
9. Decatur Classical Elementary School: Chicago
10. Hollywood Elementary School: Brookfield
11. Westmoor Elementary School: Northbrook
12. Wescott Elementary School: Northbrook
13. Prospect Elementary School: Clarendon Hills
14. Monroe Elementary School: Hinsdale
15. Lincoln Elementary School: River Forest
16. McDade Elementary Classical School: Chicago
17. Adler Park School: Libertyville
18. Madison Elementary School: Hinsdale
19. Meadowbrook Elementary School: Northbrook
20. Jefferson Elementary School: Elmhurst
21. The Lane Elementary School: Hinsdale
22. New Simpson Hill District 32: Tunnel Hill
23. Romona Elementary School: Wilmette
24. Highlands Elementary School: Naperville
25. Lincoln Elementary School: Chicago

A globe sitting on top of a desk

Here's How The Rankings Were Determined

For its 2027 rankings, U.S. News evaluated reading and math performance using state education agency data alongside information from the U.S. Department of Education. The updated approach also accounts for student backgrounds, giving researchers a broader picture of academic performance.

One important detail to keep in mind is that U.S. News ranks elementary schools by state rather than naming one overall national champion. So while Illinois has its own #1, there isn't a single nationwide winner in this year's state-based rankings.