For the 2025 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 8,701 students in Des Plaines, IL (there are , serving 1,189 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Des Plaines, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Des Plaines, IL are Cumberland Elementary School, Terrace Elementary School and Iroquois Community School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Plaines, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Des Plaines have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Des Plaines, IL (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cumberland Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
700 E Golf Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1451
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1451
Gr: K-5 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22.
Terrace Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
735 S Westgate Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1501
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1501
Gr: K-5 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #33.
Iroquois Community School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1836 E Touhy Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1308
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1308
Gr: K-8 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #44.
South Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1535 Everett Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1566
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1566
Gr: K-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1526 E Thacker St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1575
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1575
Gr: K-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #66.
Plainfield Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1850 Plainfield Dr
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1301
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1301
Gr: K-5 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #77.
Algonquin Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
767 E Algonquin Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1205
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1205
Gr: 6-8 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #88.
Forest Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1375 S 5th Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1380
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1380
Gr: PK-5 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #99.
Chippewa Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
123 N 8th Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1503
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1503
Gr: 6-8 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Rosemont Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6101 Ruby St
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 825-0144
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 825-0144
Gr: PK-8 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1111.
Friendship Jr High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
550 Elizabeth Ln
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4350
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4350
Gr: 6-8 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1212.
Devonshire School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1401 Pennsylvania Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4398
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 593-4398
Gr: K-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1313.
Brentwood Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
260 Dulles Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 593-4401
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 593-4401
Gr: K-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1414.
Maine West High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1755 S Wolf Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 827-6176
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 827-6176
Gr: 9-12 | 1,886 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1515.
North Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1789 Rand Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1399
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1399
Gr: K-5 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1616.
Apollo Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10100 Dee Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-6231
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-6231
Gr: K-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1717.
Orchard Place Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2727 Maple St
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1255
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-1255
Gr: K-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: n/an/a
10000 Dee Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-4165
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-4165
Gr: PK | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
Ncisc Alop
Alternative School
1001 E Touhy Ave Ste 200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
North Cook Student Advocacy Alop
Alternative School
1001 E Touhy Ave Ste 200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-8300
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 824-8300
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
North Cook Young Adult Academy
Alternative School
1001 E Touhy Ave Ste 200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-3707
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Terrace School-d/hh Ec Program
Special Education School
735 S Westgate Rd, Terrace Sch
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1380
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-1380
Des Plaines, Illinois Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Nipper Career Education Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1101 East Gregory St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 655-3000
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 655-3000
9000 Capitol Dr
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 298-1622
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 298-1622
Gr: K-6 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Thomas Jefferson Charter School (Closed 2004)
Charter School
795 Center St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 297-9740
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 297-9740
Gr: K-8 | 73 students Minority enrollment: 84%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Des Plaines, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Des Plaines, IL include Cumberland Elementary School, Terrace Elementary School and Iroquois Community School.
How many public schools are located in Des Plaines?
22 public schools are located in Des Plaines.
What percentage of students in Des Plaines go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Des Plaines are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Des Plaines?
Des Plaines public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Des Plaines are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Des Plaines include: Orchard Place Elementary School vs. Forest Elementary School, Algonquin Middle School vs. Chippewa Middle School, Plainfield Elementary School vs. Maine West High School
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