Uptown Neighborhood Bar Starter Guide
April 23, 2024
With more than 330,000 students enrolled across 638 schools, the Chicago Public School (CPS) system is the third largest school district in the United States. Among their network of schools are 162 high schools that vary widely in size. In this guide, we will take a closer look at the 6 largest public high schools in Chicago.
Year Opened – 1908
Neighborhood – Roscoe Village
Student to Teacher Ratio – 17:1
Student Population – Approximately 4,500
Graduation Rate – 97.4%
Lane Tech is the largest high school in Chicago, and was founded in 1908 as an all-boys technical school. Today, Lane Tech is a co-educational selective enrollment school, and offers a rigorous academic curriculum that includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses and specialized programs in engineering and technology.
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Year Opened – 1939
Neighborhood – Norwood Park
Student to Teacher Ratio – 17:1
Student Population – Approximately 4,200
Graduation Rate – 92%
William Howard Taft High School, located in Norwood Park on the Northwest Side, is one of Chicago’s oldest public high schools. First opened in 1939, Taft has gone through several periods of growth and decline over the years, but has managed to remain the city’s second largest by implementing changes to increase enrollment.
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Year Opened – 1973
Neighborhood – Archer Heights
Student to Teacher Ratio – 16:1
Student Population – Approximately 2,800
Graduation Rate – 76.9%
Over in Archer Heights is Curie High School, named after the famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie. Opened in 1973, Curie offers a variety of academic programs, including a well-regarded performing arts program.
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Year Opened – 1875 (originally as North Division High School)
Neighborhood – Lincoln Park
Student to Teacher Ratio – 15:1
Student Population – Approximately 2,100
Graduation Rate – 79.4%
Lincoln Park High School, located in the neighborhood that shares its name, is one of the oldest public high schools on Chicago’s North Side. The school first opened as North Division High School in 1875, however the current building has been used since 1900. Academically, Lincoln Park High School is one of the highest performing schools in Chicago, and has been nationally ranked as one of the country’s best public schools in the past.
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Year Opened – 1969
Neighborhood – Hyde Park/Kenwood
Student to Teacher Ratio – 19:1
Student Population – Approximately 2,100
Graduation Rate – 90.6%
Another well-regarded academic powerhouse is Kenwood Academy Hyde Park. Opened in 1969, it was given the academy title due to the high levels of academic achievement by its students. Kenwood Academy’s proximity to the University of Chicago, has allowed for it to build a relationship with the university that benefits its students. One such benefit is allowing Kenwood AP students to access University of Chicago campus resources.
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Year Opened – 1975
Neighborhood – West Loop
Student to Teacher Ratio – 17:1
Student Population – Approximately 2,200
Graduation Rate – 94.8%
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School is one of Chicago’s premier public high schools. When it opened its doors in 1975, it was the first public magnet high school in the city and since then, has consistently ranked among the top high schools in both Illinois and the United States. Whitney Young prides itself on its challenging academic curriculum, and has produced several notable alumni including actors, astronauts, and political leaders.
Please note that stock images were used in certain areas of this Article. Some photos do not necessarily reflect the referenced location.
