Choosing the right elementary school is one of the most significant decisions parents face when ensuring their child’s future success. For home buyers relocating to or living in Chicago, there’s good news: the city boasts a wide range of high-quality elementary schools, each offering unique strengths. Whether you are looking for top-tier public schools or private institutions with specialized curriculums, there is an excellent option to fit your needs.
This guide highlights some of the best elementary schools in Chicago, IL. We’ll explore a wide-range of options, key factors that make these schools stand out, and provide useful information to help you make an informed choice.
Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Address: 4929 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Let’s kick things off with a standout choice: Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center, the pinnacle of excellence among Illinois elementary and middle schools. Located at 4929 N Sawyer Avenue, this K-8 institution has earned its reputation for good reason. Significant investments have transformed the facility into a hub for advanced learning, with a curriculum that prioritizes critical thinking and problem-solving through rigorous STEM coursework.
Younger students delve into physical geography, foundational economics, and civics, focusing on Chicago, Illinois, and the broader United States through grade four. As they progress, older students expand their studies to cover ancient civilizations and prehistory. The well-rounded education doesn’t stop there—music, art, and world languages are integral parts of the program, ensuring a holistic learning experience for every student.
Skinner North Elementary School
Address: 640 W Scott St # 1, Chicago, IL 60610
Is your child among the top six percent destined for a gifted program? If so, consider Skinner North Elementary School—one of the finest selective enrollment schools in the city. Nestled in the heart of Old Town at 640 W. Scott Street, Skinner North has been a beacon of academic excellence and innovation since its opening in 2009. With a student body of just under 500, spanning kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers an impressive 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention in every classroom. Each grade consists of only two classes, fostering a close-knit community where students build lasting friendships while preparing for a bright future.
Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center
Address: 8101 S La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60620
Small but mighty, young minds at Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center are nurtured to achieve great things. This premier institute for early childhood education empowers students with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Starting as early as age three, children can enroll in the full-day preschool program, which emphasizes foundational knowledge and social skills.
From kindergarten through third grade, students are guided by a single teacher covering core subjects like English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. From fourth grade onward, they benefit from specialized instruction provided by dedicated subject-area educators. The Lenart journey continues through eighth grade, preparing students to transition seamlessly to Chicago’s top high schools and universities.
Ranked fourth in the state of Illinois, Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center proudly shapes the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, all from its campus at 8101 S La Salle Street.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
Address: 615 W Kemper Pl, Chicago, IL 60614
Lincoln Elementary School stands as a beacon of excellence in the heart of Lincoln Park at 615 West Kemper Place. Serving over 900 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, it is consistently ranked among Chicago’s top-performing schools. With a robust curriculum featuring advanced placement courses, STEM programs, and creative arts education, Lincoln Elementary provides students with a well-rounded academic foundation.
The school fosters a strong sense of community through its Lincoln ‘Out of School Time’ (OST) programs, active parent involvement initiatives, and collaborations with local organizations. Families of students can also demonstrate their school pride by visiting the popular spirit shop for branded merchandise.
Lincoln Elementary’s dedication to academic achievement and community engagement is reflected in its prestigious rankings, earning the #24 spot among Illinois Elementary Schools and an impressive #13 ranking among Illinois Middle Schools.
Decatur Classical Elementary School
Address: 7030 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60645
Decatur Classical Elementary School is a distinguished institution recognized both locally and nationally for its excellence. Named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education and ranked fourth among Illinois middle schools, it stands as a beacon of quality education. Serving just under 400 students from Kindergarten through sixth grade, the school offers the acclaimed Project Lead the Way curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving through advanced math and science programs.
Students benefit from an accelerated learning path that includes Latin studies, literature analysis, and hands-on engineering projects, fostering a strong foundation for academic success. Located at 7030 North Sacramento Avenue, Decatur Classical maintains small class sizes to provide personalized attention and an optimal learning environment. The school also champions the development of well-rounded individuals with robust arts and music programs, a feature highly valued by parents.
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
Address: 3319 N Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy, a renowned magnet school nestled at 3319 N Clifton Avenue in Chicago’s vibrant Lakeview neighborhood, stands as a beacon of academic excellence. As a literacy-focused magnet school, it attracts talented students from across the city, all eager to unlock their full potential. And they do just that—over half of Hawthorne’s students consistently perform above grade level expectations. The school itself ranks in the top 10% statewide, a testament to its commitment to academic achievement. At Hawthorne, students thrive in specialized literacy programs designed to ignite a passion for reading and writing, laying a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Bronzeville Classical Elementary School
Address: 8 W Root St, Chicago, IL 60609
Despite what its name implies, Bronzeville Classical Elementary School takes home the gold when it comes to Chicago-area gifted schools. The moniker actually comes from its neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago, which is itself quite revered.
More than three quarters of students here perform at or above local averages. That’s to be expected from an expansive and nurturing environment like this one. Classrooms come well equipped with modern technology to teach advanced material on core subjects all the way until grade six. When they aren’t at desks, students participate in a range of programs, including The People’s Music School and the ultra-prestigious discipline of Fencing. There’s also a Spanish language studies club for kids who want to excel in more than one language.