The 13 Largest Schools In Illinois Are Massive

Bordering the Mississippi River and Indiana, the charming Midwestern state of Illinois is reputable for its rich historical background and prosperous industries. In addition, it's among the best regions for family life, recently ranking as the third-best state for raising a family.

According to the survey, Illinois stands out regarding health and safety, family fun, socio-economics, and affordability. In addition, the Prairie State boasts an impressive education system and has some great-performing institutions in the country. But all that aside, schools in this state also exhibit some of the highest populations in the country.

But just how big are the schools in Illinois? This guide will cover the 13 largest institutions, highlighting their populations, gender distribution, and education standards.

Edwards Elementary School

4815 S Karlov Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Edwards Elementary School is in Chicago, IL city setting. The Fine and Performing Arts Magnet and Authorized International Baccalaureate School nurtures responsible, compassionate, and respectful citizens. Thus, the school provides rigorous education programs tailored to each student's needs. In addition, it's among the state's largest elementary schools. 

Edwards Elementary School caters to a student population of 1,357 from prekindergarten to eighth grade. This vast population is male-dominated, comprising 49% females and 51% males. In addition, the facility boasts a minority student enrollment of 98%.

Edwards Elementary is reputable for its qualified staff members. The percentage of certified tutors is 100%, and those with over three years in the field form 93.8%. 

Besides its outstanding population, students at Edwards Elementary perform above expectations. The school takes up position 1515 among Illinois elementary schools and 276 in the Chicago Public Schools district. Moreover, 18% and 20%of scholars in this massive school scored at or exceeded proficient levels for math and reading.

Healy Elementary School

3010 S Parnell Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 

Also nestled in Chicago is another of Illinois' largest primary facilities, Healy Elementary School. The facility opened its doors in 1886 and was named after Robert Healy, an Irish immigrant and one of the original Fifth Ward platoons.  

Healy Elementary caters to  1,354 learners between prekindergarten and eighth grade. This vast, gifted, diverse student population comprises 53% male students and 47% females. In addition, the school boasts a 95% minority student enrollment.

Healy Elementary prioritizes the qualifications of its staff and faculty members. All the tutors here are board certified, and 96.2% have over three years of teaching experience. In addition, the school hires one full-time counselor.

Healy Elementary ranks position 192 in Illinois and 28 in Chicago Public Schools District. In addition, 63% of students passed math, and 53% reached or exceeded the same level for reading.

Woodland Elementary

17261 W Gages Lake Rd, Gages Lake, IL 60030

The Gages Lake suburb setting is also fortunate to host one of Illinois' largest elementary schools. Reputable for its collaborative and supportive culture, Woodland Elementary hosts one of the greatest populations in the state. The public school uses advanced instruction methods and technology to inspire tomorrow's thinkers, leaders, and creators. 

Woodland Elementary houses a student population of 1,348 dedicated scholars from grade one to grade three. This populace comprises 52% male students and 48% females, and the school boasts a 60%minority student enrollment. So apart from being one of Illinois' most populous facilities, the school is also among the most ethnically diverse.

Woodlands Elementary also doesn't disappoint in terms of performance. The school ranks in position 713 in the state and has a reading and math proficiency rank of 688 and 461, respectively. In addition, 48% and 43% of students in the facility passed math and reading.

Armstrong G Elementary International Studies

2110 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL 60645  

Concluding our list of the largest elementary schools in Illinois is the reputable Armstrong G Elementary International Studies. The public school in Chicago is home to experienced staff, dedicated students, and supportive parents and community. In addition, the facility has been providing a rigorous program since its inception, and students exhibit impressive college and career readiness.

George B. Armstrong School is home to 1,262 scholars between prekindergarten and eighth grade. This male-dominated populace comprises 48% of schoolgirls and 52% of schoolboys, with 92% of them coming from minority communities. In addition, the institution hosts qualified faculty members and one school counselor.

Armstrong G Elementary is the 579th-best school in the state. The facility also ranks 80th in the Chicago Public Schools District, and its math and reading proficiency ranks are 706 and 1,141, respectively. Moreover, 36% and 38% of scholars passed both subjects.

Unity Junior High School

2115 S 54Th Ave, Cicero, IL 60804 

A majority of the largest schools in Illinois have served their respective communities for numerous decades. But occasionally, you'll come across a massive institution that hasn't been around for such extended durations. This is true for Cicero's Unity Junior High, which began operating in 2003 and has become one of the country's most populous middle schools.

Unity Junior High School 

serves 2,448 students between seventh and eighth grades. Interestingly, almost the entire population (99%) comprises learners from minority backgrounds. The gender distribution here is 51% male students and 49% females.

All the teachers at Unity Junior High are board certified and have served middle school students for over three years. In addition, the school hires two student counselors.

Unity Junior High performs above expectations in statewide examinations, college preparedness, and graduation rates. The school ranks 754 in the state and boasts math and reading proficiency ranks of 943 and 929. In addition, 11% and 19% of learners passed math and reading.  

Woodland Middle School

7000 Washington St, Gurnee, IL 60031

Woodland Middle School stands out as the second-largest middle school on our list. The public school is in the Gurnee, IL, suburb setting and boasts a rich history of academic triumph. Woodland's staff and faculty strive towards a student-focused education program, delivering an exceptional learning experience to its massive student body.

Woodland Middle School is home to about 1,882 scholars between sixth and eighth grades. This population is predominantly male, comprising 51% of schoolboys and 49% of females. 

In addition, the school has a minority student enrollment of 62%.

All the faculty members at Woodland Middle School are national board-certified. In addition, 99.3% of these qualified tutors have been teaching for at least three years. Thus, the school guarantees one of the best learning experiences in the state.

Performance-wise, Woodland Middle School isn't badly off. The school ranks 575 in the state, and its reading and math proficiency ranks are 591 and 293. Furthermore, 37% of scholars passed math, and 35% passed reading.

Wredling Middle School

1200 Dunham Rd, Saint Charles, IL 60174

Established in 1995, Wredling Middle School proves that a massive population isn't a limitation towards academic excellence. The public school 

is in Saint Charles, IL, suburb, and is reputable for encouraging partnerships between the community and families to maximize each learner's educational opportunities.

Wredling Middle School is a community of 1,421 students between sixth and eighth grades. The population's gender distribution is almost equal, and the school serves 6-8. In addition, the student population comprises 51% schoolgirls and 49% schoolboys, and learners from minority communities form 29%.

All Wredling Middle School faculty members are board certified, and 96.9% boast over three years of teaching experience. The school also leverages the support and guidance of five full-time counselors.

Wredling Middle School ranks in position 50 in the state. Also, 58% and 70% of students passed math and reading proficiency.

Waukegan High School

2325 Brookside Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085

Waukegan High School serves families in the Waukegan, IL, suburb setting. The institution is a source of pride for its community and strives to educate students to overcome their current academic hurdles and thrive in the future. Staff members, tutors, and administrative assistants create a safe learner-focused environment that acknowledges diversity and inspires constant learners.  

Waukegan High serves 4,515 scholars between eighth grade and twelfth grade. The population has an almost equal gender distribution of 49% female students and 51% males. Also, learners from minority communities form 97%.

As expected, Waukegan High doesn't compromise on staff quality. In this facility, 93% of the full-time faculty members are certified, and 81% have served the state's education sector for over three years. In addition, the school's diverse student population relies on 16 school counselors.

Notably, 10% of students at Waukegan High School passed the math-proficient level, and 12% succeeded in reading.

American School

2200 E 170th St Lansing, IL 60438

A review of the large Illinois high schools isn't complete without the popular American School, considered one of the largest and oldest distance education facilities globally. From day one, the school has served on a non-profit basis for over a century and is reputable for its welcoming culture and impressive quality of education.

American School caters to 3,825 students from different parts of the Lansing, IL, area. Learners from minority communities form 45.9% of the populace, and the school's current average grade size is 546. 

American School hires 65 faculty members, creating a 1:59 student-teacher ratio. These qualified and seasoned educators guide students through the school's innovative and rigorous program in a caring environment. Thus, each learner takes on accredited courses comfortably.

Families looking for a reliable school with quality instruction programs will find this learning environment suitable. 

Lane Technical High School

2501 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60618 

Established in September 1908, Albert Grannis Lane High School also ranks among the state's largest institutions. Initially, the school was a manual boys' training school before its mandate changed to a college preparatory. Today, the school is among the best performing in Illinois and caters to one of the largest populations in the nation.

Lane Technical High School serves 4,369 scholars between the seventh and twelfth grades. The school's male population is 54%, while females comprise 46%. In addition, the school enrolls 61% of learners from minority communities.

Lane Technical High School also has qualified and seasoned tutors, with 98% boasting national accreditations. In addition, 87.7% of the teachers have served a minimum of three years.

Lane Technical High School is the third best in the state in terms of examination performance and level of student preparedness for college. In addition, 90% and 87%of students attained the math and reading proficiency levels.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL, USA

The University of Illinois entered the scene in 1867. The facility considers itself a community committed to positively impacting the world. It’s among the largest higher learning institutions in the state, and is reputable for its strong foundation in land-grant heritage, providing a transformative learning experience.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign serves  56,607 students under full-time and part-time options and a distance learning program.

This institution has a four-year graduation rate of 71%. In addition, the institution boasts a 1:20 faculty-student ratio, and 37% of classes have less than 20 scholars. Therefore, each learner will get the attention they need to achieve their academic goals.

So how does the school compare to its peers? Well, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks high. For instance, it ranks position 41 nationally and ranks 13 in the top public schools category.  

Northwestern University

633 Clark Street Evanston, IL 60208

Northwestern University is the brainchild of nine men who gathered in 1850 to plan a higher learning institution for the Northwest Territory. The institution sits on a 379-acre parcel and serves the state's second-largest population of all colleges and universities. 

Northwestern University is home to 23,409 students, comprising 14,562 graduate students and 8,847 undergraduate students. In addition, the school has 4,574 part-timers and 18,835 full-timers students, with a gender distribution of 12,445 females and 10,964 male students. 

Northwestern University boasts a four-year graduation rate of 86%, and 77% of classes here have less than 20 students. In addition, the facility has a faculty-student ratio of 1:6, way better than the state's average.

But how does the school fare against its rivals? Well, the institution ranks tenth best in the National Universities rankings and ranks in positions 13 and 16 for the Best Value Schools and Engineering Programs (doctorate) categories.

Notable Northwestern University Alumni

Zooey Deschanel – American actress and musician. She made her film debut in Mumford (1999) and had a supporting role in Cameron Crowe's film Almost Famous (2000)

Hugh Hefner – American magazine publisher. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine

David Schwimmer – American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He gained worldwide recognition for portraying Ross Geller in the sitcom Friends

George R. R. Martin – American Author, screenwriter, television producer, and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire

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DePaul University

1 E. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL, 60604

DePaul University considers itself the largest private college that prioritizes teaching over profits. The institution emphasizes unmatched educational experiences that weave together place, mind, heart, and people, preparing each scholar to triumph and transform the world for the better.

The university enrolls 21,670 students, making it the third-largest tertiary institution in the state. In addition, the institution has a diverse student body of 44.97% male and 55.03% female students. The school also offers full-time, part-time, and an online degree program, which has attracted 5,366 students.

DePaul University has a four-year graduation rate of 58%. Comparing the student population and the number of faculty members leads to a faculty-scholar ratio of 1:17, which is quite flexible. In addition, 435 of the classes in the famous university have less than 20 scholars.

DePaul University ranks 65 in the best value schools category and is the 137th best among the country's national universities.

Notable DePaul University Alumni

Gillian Anderson – American actress. Her credits include the roles of FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the series The X-Files

Judy Greer – American Actress primarily known as a character actress, who has appeared in a wide variety of films

Joe Keery – American actor and musician. He is best known for playing Steve Harrington in the science fiction series Stranger Things

Richard M. Daley – American politician who served as the 54th mayor of Chicago, Illinois, from 1989 to 2011

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It’s Time To Find The School Of Your Dreams

You now have an idea of the 13 largest institutions in Illinois. Whether you need a school to enroll your young learner or searching for an employment opportunity, the above insights will guide you aptly and inform your decision.

Generally, consider factors like your career goals, plans, and needs when looking for a great workplace with numerous students. On the other hand, consider the commute distance, school culture, and examination rankings when searching for a life-changing education experience for your child.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Wavebreakmedia.