Best Public Schools in Normal, IL

The city of Normal, Illinois is home to 16 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 1 public charter high school. These schools are primarily part of the McLean County Unified School District 5, with the exception of University High School and Thomas Metcalf School, which are part of the ISU Laboratory Schools district.

The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the schools in Normal. University High School stands out as an exceptional performer, ranking #11 out of 697 Illinois high schools and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. In contrast, YBMC Charter School struggles, with the lowest test scores, highest dropout rate, and highest chronic absenteeism of all the schools. The data also shows a correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools serving higher-income communities generally outperforming those with more low-income students.

Within the McLean County Unified School District 5, there is significant variation in school quality, with some standout performers like Chiddix Junior High School and Grove Elementary School contrasting with lower-performing schools. This highlights the importance of examining school-level data to uncover meaningful insights about educational equity and quality within a district.