Which are the best online high schools in Illinois? Online courses are becoming more and more well-liked among college students in Illinois – one of the 50 US states. According to the Distance Education State Almanack, Illinois saw a nearly 32% increase in students enrolling in online courses between 2012 and 2015.
In Illinois, over 12% of undergraduate and graduate students choose to take all their classes online, and about 45% reside in the state. A task force has been established by recent legislation to assist Illinois institutions in addressing the career interests of high school students.
Illinois has many degree-granting institutions, including state-funded public schools, liberal arts colleges with independent funding, and prestigious private research universities. Additionally, several for-profit trade and vocational schools are available to students, as well as a system of publicly funded community colleges spread out across the state.
These institutions offer on-campus and online formats for associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. This directory of the top online colleges in Illinois offers a helpful overview of the state’s overall higher education landscape, including details on admission requirements and tuition at nonprofit and for-profit institutions, available financial aid, and the best jobs for degree holders.
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Illinois
According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, Illinois has 185 degree-granting institutions; of the 60 public institutions, 12 are two-year colleges, and 48 are four-year universities. Forty for-profit schools and 85 nonprofit colleges are also located in the state. Illinois, behind California, Texas, and New York, has the fourth-largest student population in the country.
The cost of education in Illinois varies depending on the type of institution and the student’s state of residence. For the 2017–2018 academic year, public four-year institutions charged in-state students an average of $13,631 in tuition and fees, while two-year institutions charged $4,061 in tuition and fees. Tuition and fees for out-of-state students attending Illinois schools averaged $23,480.
Illinois manages several need- and non-need grant programs due to the state’s abundance of degree-granting institutions and high enrollment rates. According to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programmes, Illinois gave out over $319 million in need-based grants and $482,985 in grants without a need-based component during the academic year between 2015 and 2016.
Top 10 Best Online High Schools in Illinois
Below are the top 10 best online high schools in Illinois, USA:
- Payton College Preparatory High School
- Northside College Preparatory High School
- Jones College Prep High School
- Young Magnet High School
- Lane Technical High School
- Adlai E Stevenson High School
- Vernon Hills High School
- Proviso Math and Science Academy
- Lake Forest High School
- Hinsdale Central High School
1. Payton College Preparatory High School
Payton College Preparatory High School is located at 1034 N Wells St in Chicago, Illinois, with the zip code 60610, and is one of the best online high schools in illinois, and also one of the top 10 best high schools in USA. Known for its academic excellence and rigorous curriculum, Payton is a prestigious college preparatory institution in the heart of Chicago.
It offers a challenging educational environment that strongly emphasizes preparing students for higher education. The school is renowned for its commitment to intellectual growth, diverse extracurricular activities, and a vibrant community of motivated students.
2. Northside College Preparatory High School
Northside College Preparatory High School is also one of the best online high schools in Illinois, situated at 5501 N Kedzie Ave in Chicago, Illinois, with the zip code 60625. This high school is another esteemed college preparatory institution in Chicago, known for its rigorous academics and commitment to student success.
Northside offers a challenging curriculum, and its students are encouraged to excel in academics and extracurricular activities. It’s in a vibrant neighborhood, offering students cultural and educational opportunities.
3. Jones College Prep High School
Jones College Prep High School is located at 700 S State St in Chicago, Illinois, with the zip code 60605. As the name suggests, Jones College Prep is dedicated to preparing students for higher education.
It’s situated in the heart of downtown Chicago and provides students with a unique urban educational experience. The school is recognized for its strong academic programs and a wide range of extracurricular activities that cater to diverse student interests. Jones College Prep is known for its commitment to academic excellence and college readiness. It is no doubt one of the best online high schools in Illinois.
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4. Young Magnet High School
- Location: 211 S Laflin St, Chicago, Illinois 60607
Young Magnet High School is a renowned educational institution located in Chicago, Illinois. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, Young Magnet High School offers a rigorous and challenging curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
It is recognized for its competitive admissions process, attracting some of the brightest students in the area. With a strong emphasis on preparing students for future careers in STEM fields, Young Magnet High School has a reputation for producing graduates who excel in various academic and professional pursuits.
5. Lane Technical High School
- Location: 2501 W Addison St, Chicago, Illinois 60618
Lane Technical High School is a prominent public high school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It is known for its diverse and comprehensive curriculum, providing students with a well-rounded education that includes both academic and vocational pathways.
Lane Tech, as it is often referred to, offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and is famous for its strong emphasis on science, engineering, and technical education. The school’s commitment to preparing students for success in a variety of fields, from the arts to STEM, has made it a respected institution in the Chicago area, and makes the list of the best online high schools in Illinois.
Also Read: Top 10 Best High Schools in Cape Town, South Africa
6. Adlai E Stevenson High School
- Location: 1 Stevenson Dr, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
Adlai E Stevenson High School is a prestigious high school located in Lincolnshire, Illinois. It is known for its strong academic programs and comprehensive educational offerings.
The school places a significant emphasis on college preparation, and its curriculum is designed to challenge and engage students in a wide range of subjects.
Adlai E Stevenson High School has a reputation for fostering a culture of academic excellence, with a focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The institution is highly regarded for its commitment to preparing students for success in college and beyond.
7. Vernon Hills High School
- Location: 145 Lakeview Pkwy, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
Vernon Hills High School is a public high school located in Vernon Hills, Illinois. It is known for its rigorous academic programs, strong extracurricular activities, and a commitment to preparing students for college and beyond.
The school offers a wide range of courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes, and is proud of its diverse student body.
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8 Proviso Math and Science Academy
- Location: 8601 Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park, Illinois 60130
As one of the top 10 best online high schools in Illinois, Proviso Math and Science Academy, situated in Forest Park, Illinois, is a specialized high school with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
It provides a challenging and innovative curriculum to prepare students for careers in these fields. The school is known for its academic excellence and commitment to fostering a passion for science and math.
9. Lake Forest High School
- Location: 1285 N Mckinley Rd, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Lake Forest High School, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, is a prestigious public high school renowned for its academic achievements and strong community support. The school offers a wide range of courses, including honors and Advanced Placement (AP) options. Students here benefit from a rich academic environment and numerous extracurricular activities.
10. Hinsdale Central High School
- Location: 5500 S Grant St, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
Hinsdale Central High School, located in Hinsdale, Illinois, is a highly-regarded public high school. It is known for its academic excellence, comprehensive programs, and a strong commitment to extracurricular activities. The school provides students with a well-rounded education, including a variety of advanced coursework and opportunities for personal growth.
Each of these high schools has its own unique characteristics and strengths, catering to the diverse needs and interests of their student populations.
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The State of Online Higher Education in Illinois
Talking about the best online high schools in Illinois, 25 percent of the 193,935 students in the state were enrolled in a distance-learning course in 2015, according to the Distance Education State Almanack.
The 100,225 Illinois residents taking all their classes online make up 12.5% of the state’s total student population, less than the 14.3% national average. 44.5% of students who only take online classes reside in Illinois.
Since 2012, fewer Illinois students have been enrolled in any on-campus courses, including those taking a combination of on-campus and online courses. This 4.8% decline in campus enrollments is greater than the 1.7% decline experienced nationally.
Online education is a priority for the Illinois State Board of Higher Education. Illinois residents face barriers to earning college degrees, whether on-campus or online, and the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success lays out an ambitious plan to remove these barriers.
Another illustration of the support for distance learning is the consortium of 31 community colleges known as the Illinois Community College Online. It helps students access course offerings from a single location, makes it easier to retrieve transcripts, and controls registration and financial aid processes.
Its college members pool resources to enhance and broaden their online programs and gain access to opportunities for professional growth for teachers and tech staff.
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Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Through participation in the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), a multi-state tuition reciprocity program, Illinois has increased its residents’ access to affordable distance learning education.
Illinois allows students to pay significantly less tuition to enroll in online courses and programs at participating colleges and universities outside of Illinois. This tuition discount approaches in-state pricing for Illinois students enrolling in distance education courses outside the state.
This collaborative project, run by the MHEC’s Midwest Student Exchange Programme (MSEP), broadens the availability of reasonably priced distance learning opportunities in the area.
Private institution members offer a 10% tuition discount, and public institutions participating in this tuition reciprocity program commit to charging students at most 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate.
Schools choose whether or not to participate in MSEP voluntarily, and some schools reserve the right to place restrictions on MSEP out-of-state applicants. Students in this program typically save $500 to $5,000 annually on their tuition.
What Is the Job Outlook for College Graduates in Illinois?
Employers across the U.S. continue to rely on recent college graduates to fill openings in a wide range of industries, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a significant source of data on trends in college employment.
Although the Illinois economy is still unstable, there are more job opportunities now for college graduates. By August 2018, Illinois’ overall unemployment rate had decreased to 4.1%, higher than the 3.7% national rate.
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Best Online High Schools In Illinois (Conclusion)
In conclusion, the availability of the best online high schools in Illinois has opened up a world of opportunities for students seeking a flexible and personalized education experience.
The top 10 best online high schools in Illinois, USA, provide a range of high-quality programs, each catering to students’ diverse needs and preferences. These institutions offer innovative curriculum choices, dedicated teachers, and a supportive learning environment that empowers students to thrive academically.
The flexibility of online high schools allows students to balance their education with other commitments, whether they are pursuing a passion, dealing with health challenges, or seeking a unique educational path.
These schools have adapted to the ever-evolving world of online education, incorporating cutting-edge technology and pedagogy to ensure that students receive a rigorous and enriching education.
In Illinois, students can access various online high schools, each offering distinct advantages. The state’s top 10 online high schools have proven their commitment to academic excellence and student success. Whether through innovative virtual classrooms, individualized attention, or a rich array of extracurricular activities, these schools are helping students achieve their educational goals.
