For the 2026 school year, there are 59 blue ribbon public preschools serving 23,997 students in Illinois.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Illinois are Oak Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School and Romona Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Illinois blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Illinois public pre school average of 23%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 25% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschool average of 58% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Illinois (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Oak Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
950 S Oak St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 861-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5020 Central Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7678
Gr: PK-5 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Romona Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
600 Romona Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 512-6400
Gr: PK-4 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #44.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8101 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 535-0040
Gr: PK-8 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #55.
Tri-valley Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
409 E Washington St
Downs, IL 61736
(309) 378-2031
Downs, IL 61736
(309) 378-2031
Gr: PK-3 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Skinner Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
111 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 534-7790
Gr: PK-8 | 1,049 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Pleasantdale Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8100 School St
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 246-4700
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 246-4700
Gr: PK-4 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
South Park Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1421 Hackberry Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5895
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-5895
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Hickory Grove Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2514 W Hickory Grove Rd
Dunlap, IL 61525
(309) 243-8711
Dunlap, IL 61525
(309) 243-8711
Gr: PK-5 | 856 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1010.
Prairie Hill Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
14714 Willowbrook Rd
South Beloit, IL 61080
(815) 389-3301
South Beloit, IL 61080
(815) 389-3301
Gr: PK-4 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Aviston Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
350 S Hull St
Aviston, IL 62216
(618) 228-7245
Aviston, IL 62216
(618) 228-7245
Gr: PK-8 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #1212.
Greenbrier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2330 N Verde Dr
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4272
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4272
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3935 Highland Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5835
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5835
Gr: PK-6 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
Cambridge Comm Grade School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
312 S West St
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-2028
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-2028
Gr: PK-5 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Damiansville Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 E Main St
Albers, IL 62215
(618) 248-5188
Albers, IL 62215
(618) 248-5188
Gr: PK-8 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Prairie View Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1201 Castle St
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-8811
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-8811
Gr: PK-3 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1717.
Palos West Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
12700 S 104th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-6888
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-6888
Gr: PK-5 | 708 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1818.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
100 S Nebraska Ave
Morton, IL 61550
(309) 266-6989
Morton, IL 61550
(309) 266-6989
Gr: PK-6 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1919.
Giant City Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1062 Boskydell Rd
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Carbondale, IL 62902
(618) 457-5391
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2020.
Scott Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4732 Patriots Dr
Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225
(618) 746-4738
Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225
(618) 746-4738
Gr: PK-5 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2121.
Eastview Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
540 Longwood Dr
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 458-5501
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 458-5501
Gr: PK-5 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2222.
Carlinville Primary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18456 Shipman Rd
Carlinville, IL 62626
(217) 854-9849
Carlinville, IL 62626
(217) 854-9849
Gr: PK-2 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2323.
Pierce Downer Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1436 Grant St
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5860
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 719-5860
Gr: PK-6 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2424.
Ivy Hill Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2211 N Burke Dr
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4275
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 398-4275
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2525.
Mary Morgan Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
420 N Colfax St
Byron, IL 61010
(815) 234-5491
Byron, IL 61010
(815) 234-5491
Gr: PK-5 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Lebanon Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
408 Mary Jane St
Lebanon, IL 62254
(618) 537-4553
Lebanon, IL 62254
(618) 537-4553
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Solomon Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6206 N Hamlin Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 534-5226
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 534-5226
Gr: PK-8 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Hynes Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9000 Belleforte Ave
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 965-4500
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 965-4500
Gr: PK-4 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Pecatonica Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
721 Reed St
Pecatonica, IL 61063
(815) 239-2550
Pecatonica, IL 61063
(815) 239-2550
Gr: PK-4 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3030.
Audubon Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3500 N Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5470
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 534-5470
Gr: PK-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3131.
Sesser-valier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4626 State Highway 154
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Sesser, IL 62884
(618) 625-5105
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #3232.
Tremont Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 S James St
Tremont, IL 61568
(309) 925-4841
Tremont, IL 61568
(309) 925-4841
Gr: PK-4 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3333.
Okawville Grade School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 S Hanover St
Okawville, IL 62271
(618) 243-6157
Okawville, IL 62271
(618) 243-6157
Gr: PK-6 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #3434.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1041 Evergreen Dr
Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 876-7810
Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 876-7810
Gr: PK-4 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3535.
United Elementary Sch - North
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
411 W Hunt Ave
Alexis, IL 61412
(309) 482-3332
Alexis, IL 61412
(309) 482-3332
Gr: PK-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Show 24 more public schools in Illinois (out of 59 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Illinois?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Illinois include Oak Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School and Romona Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Illinois?
59 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Illinois.
What is the racial composition of students in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschools average of 58% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences: Key Questions
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences: Questions Every Parent Should Ask to support academic growth, social development, and 2026 classroom goals.
Prepare for Spring Tests Without Anxiety
Learn how to prepare for spring standardized tests without increasing anxiety using proven strategies for families and schools.
Why Public Schools Are Launching Marketing Campaigns in 2026
Discover why public schools are launching marketing campaigns in 2026 and how enrollment shifts, school choice, and funding pressures are driving change.
