Several area high schools appeared in the rankings of ‘Best’ schools compiled by the U.S. News and World Report, with each earning varying marks in student proficiency and college readiness.
The rankings, according to the publication, are based on performance on state assessments, the school’s advanced placement exam participation rate and how the schools prepare students for college.
The reports include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and are available to view on the U.S. News website.
Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 S. Scoville Ave., Oak Park, ranked 40th among Illinois high schools and 42nd among high schools in the Chicago metro area. Nationally, the school came in at 826th in the United States.
OPRF High School was given a college readiness index of 48.1 out of 100, which is calculated based on student test performance and exams on college-level coursework, including advanced placement and international baccalaureate exams.
OPRF achieved an overall score of 95.37, which included a graduation rate of 91%, a 66% reading proficiency and a 59% math proficiency. Fifty-six percent of OPRF students took at least one AP exam, while 45% of students passed at least one AP exam.
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“We are extremely proud that Oak Park and River Forest High School ranks among the top 5% of high schools in Illinois, and among the top 6% nationally,” OPRF spokeswoman Karin Sullivan said in a statement. “Our faculty and staff work tremendously hard to meet students’ academic and social-emotional needs, and this is a testament to their commitment to fulfilling our mission of equity and excellence for all students.”
Elmwood Park
Elmwood Park High School, 8201 W. Fullerton Ave., Elmwood Park, ranked 162nd among Illinois high schools and 142nd in the Chicago metro area. Nationally, the school came in at number 4,698.
The school earned a college readiness index of 35.4 out of 100, has a graduation rate of 90% and an overall score of 73.69.
Overall, 60% of Elmwood Park High School students took at least one AP exam, while 27% have passed at least one AP exam. Thirty-three percent of students were proficient in math, while 28% were proficient in reading.
Franklin Park, Northlake
East Leyden High School, 3400 Rose St., Franklin Park, ranked 125th in Illinois and 116th in the Chicago metro area. The school came in at 3,365th in the nation.
East Leyden came in with a 45.2 college readiness index, a graduation rate of 85% and an overall score of 81.16.
In all, 63% of East Leyden High School students took at least one AP exam, while 39% of students passed at least one AP exam. Thirty-one percent of students were proficient in math, while 30% were proficient in reading.
West Leyden High School, 1000 N. Wolf Road, Northlake, ranked 219th in Illinois and 180th in the Chicago metro area. Nationally, the school came in at 6,643rd.
West Leyden earned a college readiness index of 40.4 out of 100, a graduation rate of 84% and an overall score of 62.8.
Fifty-one percent of West Leyden students took at least one AP exam, while 37% passed at least one AP exam. Student at West Leyden had an 18% math proficiency percentage, while 24% were proficient at reading.
Suburban public high schools ranked among the top 10 in the state are Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Libertyville High School in Libertyville, and Hinsdale Central High School.
The remaining Illinois schools in the top 10 are selective enrollment college schools in Chicago.
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