Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics and its own parent/student surveys, Niche.com has released its updated ranking of the nation's best-run public high schools in 2016.
More than 9,500 public high schools were ranked based on the overall quality of its administration and policies. Of the 100 Illinois high schools included in Niche's ranking, 10 were among the Top 100 best in the nation.
The vast majority of schools ranked by Niche are located either in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, where property tax wealth typically is the highest. And while a school's education-administration expense ratio and expenses per student are among the factors taken into consideration, Niche's parent/student surveys and "overall experience grade" were given the highest weight (you can read more about the methodology here).
But as with any school ranking, it's important to take these findings with a grain of a salt. For example, several high schools in Lincoln Way CHSD 210 made the cut, despite ongoing spending questions and financial difficulties within the district.
Following are 10 of the top 20 Illinois high schools that are perceived to have the best administrations and policies, according to Niche.
20. Lane Tech College Prep High School | Chicago
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 3.9/5 (246 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $14,246
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 14:1
19. Maine East High School | Park Ridge
- Overall experience grade: A-
- Parent/student surveys: 4/5 (40 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $23,000
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 14:1
18. Walter Payton College Prep | Chicago
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 3.8/5 (37 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $14,246
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 14:1
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 3.9/5 (41 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $14,238
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 20:1
16. North High School | Downers Grove
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 3.8/5 (34 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $20,168
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 20:1
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 3.8/5 (34 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $20,168
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 20:1
14. Grayslake Central High School | Grayslake
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 4.0/5 (41 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $17,161
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 17:1
13. Wheeling High School | Wheeling
- Overall experience grade: A
- Parent/student surveys: 4.0/5 (29 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $21,005
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 17:1
12. John Hersey High School | Arlington Heights
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 3.9/5 (32 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $21,005
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 17:1
- Overall experience grade: A+
- Parent/student surveys: 4.0/5 (110 respondents)
- Expenses per student: $11,676
- Education-admin. expense ratio: 14:1
You can see the state's Top 10 high schools, which are the 10 that ranked nationally, here.