Hey there, Chicago families!
If you’re like many parents we work with, finding the right elementary school for your kids is one of the biggest factors in your home search. Over the last decade, we’ve helped over a thousand families find their perfect Chicago home, so we know education is top of mind.
Today, we’re breaking down Chicago’s top 10 elementary schools for 2025, using the latest data from U.S. News & World Report. We’ll look beyond just the simple rankings to help you understand what makes each school unique and how they serve their students.
| Rank | School Name | Reading Proficiency (%) | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center | 87 | 18 |
| 2 | Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center | 77 | 18 |
| 3 | Skinner North Elementary School | 81 | 15 |
| 4 | Bronzeville Classical Elementary School | 77 | 18 |
| 5 | Decatur Classical Elementary School | 85 | 15 |
| 6 | Lincoln Elementary School | 72 | 16 |
| 7 | Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy | 67 | 15 |
| 8 | Skinner Elementary School | 68 | 16 |
| 9 | Edgebrook Elementary School | 59 | 16 |
| 10 | Prescott Elementary School | 62 | 12 |
Ranked #1 - Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center is leading our list, coming in at #1 in all of Illinois with an impressive 87% student proficiency in reading. Located at 4292 N Sawyer Ave., this gifted center maintains a student-teach ratio of 18:1 and serves a diverse student body with 44% minority enrollment. What really sets Edison apart is its consistent performance, which is well above expectations across elementary and middle school levels.
Ranked #2 - Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Coming in as our second highest ranked school (4th in all of Illinois), Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center shows a 77% proficiency rate, with an extremely diverse student population (86% minority enrollment). This demonstrates how excellence in education goes far beyond just demographics. The school maintains a balanced 18:1 student-teacher ratio while serving students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ranked #3 - Skinner North Elementary School
Our third-ranked school is Skinner North Elementary School (ranked #11 in Illinois), with an 81% proficiency score. With a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and a 73% minority enrollment, this school exemplifies Chicago's commitment to educational excellence for all students.
Honorable Mentions
Rounding out the top 5 are Bronzeville Classical Elementary School, which has a 77% proficiency rate and an impressive 95% minority enrollment, and Decatur Classical Elementary School, which boasts an 85% proficiency rate and a 15:1 student-teacher ratio.
Here are the rest of the elementary schools in the top 10.
- Lincoln Elementary School (#24 in Illinois with a 72% proficiency score)
- Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy (#25 in Illinois, 67% proficiency)
- Skinner Elementary School (#39 in Illinois, 68% proficiency)
- Edgebrook Elementary School (#76 in Illinois, 59% proficiency)
- Prescott Elementary School (#86 in Illinois, 62% proficiency)
What Makes These Schools Stand Out?
1. Consistent Performance
Each of these schools performs well above district averages, with proficiency rates significantly higher than the district average of 18% and the state average of 29%.
2. Diversity
These schools serve diverse student populations, proving that excellent education can and should be accessible to all students.
3. Smaller Class Sizes
Student-teacher ratios range from 12:1 to 18:1, ensuring students receive more attention in the classroom.
What This Means For Homebuyers
When house hunting in Chicago, understanding school performance can significantly impact your decision. Fortunately, these top schools are spread throughout different Chicago neighborhoods, giving you multiple options for finding your ideal home. Homes in school districts with high-performing schools tend to maintain strong resale values due to the quality of education. And many of these schools offer kindergarten to grade 8 programs, allowing for long-term educational stability.
Ready To Find Your Home Near A Top School?
Ass your Chicago real estate experts, we understand that choosing the right elementary school is just as important as finding the right home. Our team knows these neighborhoods inside and out, and we'd love to help you find the perfect property that matches your educational priorities.
Give us a shout, and let's start your journey to finding the perfect home in one of Chicago's top school districts. After all, investing in your children's education is just as important as investing in the right property you'll be calling home.
