Niles North High School and Niles West High School are consistently ranked among the top high schools in Illinois and in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The 2025-26 rankings include nearly 18,000 schools that were evaluated on how effectively they serve all students, including underserved populations, with college readiness specifically measured through student participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams.

At the state level, both Niles North (ranked #61) and Niles West (ranked #71) are in the top 10 percent of high schools. This school year, D219 reported significant growth in Advanced Placement (AP) participation and achievement. In addition to the increase in participation in AP courses at Niles North and Niles West, the number of AP exams taken in the past five years has more than doubled in the district.

“We are well positioned, with some new structures in place, and through strategic planning with our entire education community, to deliver a truly bright future for District 219,” remarked D219 Superintendent Tom Moore.

The annual “Best High Schools” rankings are based on six key performance indicators, including student achievement on state-required assessments, strong graduation rates, and college readiness measures. The complete list of rankings and methodology are available in the U.S. News and World Report website.