Education system and best schools in Illinois: Illinois follows Common Core State Standards. Kindergarten starts at age five. Chicago Public Schools: largest district. Illinois State Board of Education: governing body. Magnet and charter schools are available. Illinois offers bilingual education programs. Naperville has top-rated school districts. Illinois gifted education programs are strong. SAT is predominant high school assessment. University of Illinois: reputable higher education institution.
Illinois follows Common Core State Standards.
Illinois aligns its education standards with the Common Core State Standards, particularly for Kindergarten, as evident in the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. These standards are revised to align with the Common Core State Standards for Kindergarten in both Language Arts and Mathematics.
Kindergarten starts at age five.
In Illinois, Senate Bill 2075 sought to lower the compulsory school age from 6 to 5, mandating that all parents enroll their 5-year-olds in kindergarten starting with the 2020-2021 school year. The initiative reflects a significant shift in the state's approach to early childhood education, although the bill's status and implementation remain subject to further legislative action. For more details on this legislative development, you can visit the Illinois Policy website. This move underscores the importance placed on early educational engagement across the state.
Chicago Public Schools: largest district.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) stands as the fourth-largest school district in the United States, serving over 323,000 students across 634 diverse institutions, including traditional, charter, magnet, and selective enrollment schools. Noteworthy advancements have been made within the district, such as a significant improvement in graduation rates, which reached an impressive 84.1% in 2024. While [CPS](https://www.cps.edu) provides a wide array of academic programs, it continues to confront challenges like declining enrollment and funding concerns, impacting its capacity to maintain these successes.
Illinois State Board of Education: governing body.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is the governing body responsible for providing leadership and resources to achieve excellence across all Illinois districts. It focuses on creating safe, healthy, and welcoming learning environments, addressing historic inequities, and supporting educators through multiple pathways. To learn more about their initiatives and resources, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website. The ISBE ensures each student receives an education that meets their needs.
Magnet and charter schools are available.
In Illinois, magnet schools and charter schools offer unique educational options. Magnet schools, often part of a school district, specialize in areas like STEM, arts, or career-based learning and may have competitive admissions processes. Charter schools, operating independently, have more freedom to innovate in curriculum and teaching methods, typically using a lottery system for admission when demand exceeds capacity.
Illinois offers bilingual education programs.
Illinois offers bilingual education programs, including Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) and Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI), as well as dual language programs, all of which require teachers to be certified by the state and possess the appropriate Bilingual and/or ESL endorsements. These programs aim to provide instruction in both the students' home language and English, ensuring bilingualism and biliteracy. For more detailed statistics and information on these initiatives, you can explore the Illinois State Board of Education 2022 English Learner Statistical Report.
Naperville has top-rated school districts.
Naperville's School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204 are highly acclaimed, ranking among the top 15 in Illinois and top 50 in the U.S., with excellent ratings for academics, teachers, and extracurricular activities. Several of their schools, including Neuqua Valley and Naperville North High Schools, are recognized among the top in the state and country, showcasing the districts' commitment to excellence. These achievements are detailed on the Naperville Area School Districts website.
Illinois gifted education programs are strong.
Illinois Gifted Education programs are robust, with resources and strategies for identifying and supporting gifted students, including endorsements for educators, programs to identify twice-exceptional students, and initiatives to ensure diversity and inclusivity in gifted classes. To learn more about these comprehensive offerings, visit the Illinois Gifted Education website.
SAT is predominant high school assessment.
The SAT is no longer the predominant high school assessment in Illinois, as the state is transitioning to the ACT starting from the 2024-25 school year due to the ACT's inclusion of a science component, which aligns better with Illinois's educational goals and commitment to STEM education. For more information on this shift, you can visit the in-depth article on ClearChoicePrep. This change underscores the increasing emphasis on science education in high schools and reflects the state's strategy to better prepare students for future careers in science and technology fields.
University of Illinois: reputable higher education institution.
The University of Illinois System, particularly the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a highly reputable higher education institution, known for its extensive research, diverse academic programs, and significant contributions to innovation and public engagement. This reputation makes it one of the largest and most esteemed public universities in the United States. For more information, you can visit the official University of Illinois System website.