The latest ranking has EPCHS among the top 25% of schools both statewide and across the United States

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – Evergreen Park Community High School has been named a Best High School by the U.S. News & World Report. EPCHS was ranked higher than about three-fourths of schools across both Illinois and the United States when the list for the 2026-2027 school year was released earlier this month.

The methodology used by the U.S. News & World Report in finding their rankings includes metrics such as performance on Advanced Placement exams, proficiency in mathematics, English and science and graduation rate. EPCHS’ rank statewide in Illinois is 170th out of 675 schools. Nationally, EPCHS is ranked 4,295th out of 17,945.   

“Being recognized among the top 25% of high schools is something we are incredibly proud of and a reflection of the dedication of our students and staff,” EPCHS Superintendent Thomas O’Malley said. “This happens because we have created a strong culture at Evergreen Park Community High School! Students work hard to excel, and teachers, coaches, and staff inspire, challenge, and support our students every day!"   

Six indicators of school quality were focused on in the rankings’ methodology: college readiness, breadth of curriculum, scores on state proficiency tests, performance in reading, math and science, underserved student performance and graduation rates. The weighted scores of those six indicators were transformed so that each eligible school received an overall percentile score between zero and 100. 

Data specific to EPCHS includes 41 percent of students taking at least one AP exam, 24 percent passing at least one AP exam, 25 percent showing mathematics proficiency, 30 percent showing reading proficiency and 52 percent showing science proficiency. EPCHS’ 93 percent graduation rate was also included in the data used to determine the rankings. 

Ranking factors included in the methodology included a college readiness index rank, in which EPCHS placed 180th in the state and 4,177th nationally; the college curriculum breadth index rank in which EPCHS placed 166th in the state and 3,896th nationally; the state assessment proficiency rank, in which EPCHS placed 168th in the state and 4,461st nationally; the state assessment performance rank, in which EPCHS placed 395th in the state and 10,484th nationally and the graduation rate rank in which EPCHS placed 197th in the state and 8,608th nationally. These ranks led to EPCHS scoring 76.06 out of a possible 100 points. 

EPCHS’ U.S. News & World Report ranking comes on the heels of the school having been named among the best suburban public high schools by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine. This separate ranking considered a number of factors in their methodology such as ACT proficiency, student academic growth, consistent attendance and graduation rate. EPCHS was ranked #16 in this list, the second highest ranking among schools included in the South Suburban Conference. 

“This ranking is a testament to the progress our school community has made and the growing recognition of our accomplishments beyond our community,” O’Malley said.