The Chicago Sun-Times bases its exclusive rankings of schools on average scores on the Prairie State Achievement Exams.
  1. Northside Prep* (Chicago) - 92.49
  2. Young Magnet* (Chicago) - 87.51
  3. Payton Prep* (Chicago) - 87.41
  4. New Trier (Winnetka) - 85.50
  5. Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale) - 84.00
  6. Deerfield (Deerfield) - 82.26
  7. Stevenson (Lincolnshire) - 82.23
  8. Glenbrook (North Northbrook) - 82.12
  9. Jones Prep* (Chicago) - 79.43
  10. Lake Forest (Lake Forest) - 78.68
  11. Vernon Hills (Vernon Hills) - 78.24
  12. Naperville Central (Naperville) - 76.49
  13. Neuqua Valley (Naperville) - 76.42
  14. Libertyville (Libertyville) - 76.37
  15. Highland Park (Highland Park) - 75.70
  16. Barrington (Barrington) - 74.91
  17. Prospect (Mt Prospect) - 74.71
  18. Naperville North (Naperville) - 74.68
  19. Lane Technical* (Chicago) - 73.97
  20. Downers Grove North (Downers Grove) - 73.32
  21. Fremd (Palatine) - 73.19
  22. Hersey (Arlington Heights) - 72.71
  23. Maine South (Park Ridge) - 72.15
  24. Glenbrook South (Glenview) - 72.11
  25. Oak Park/River Forest (Oak Park) - 71.08
Click here to see the rest of the Top 50 Chicago area high schools.