Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 4.0Hinsdale’s public schools outscore 98% of Illinois districts
68% of students in Hinsdale’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Illinois average (30%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hinsdale, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Hinsdale’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 68% and math 68% across both districts in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Hinsdale Township High School District 86 spends $33,501 per student and Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 $25,373, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Hinsdale’s grade
A+: better than 98% of Illinois school districts, #1 of 768 Illinois towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Illinois average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hinsdale, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 755 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Clarendon Hills Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 448 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Clarendon Hills
7th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 755 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Clarendon Hills Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 448 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Clarendon Hills
8th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 755 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Clarendon Hills Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 448 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Clarendon Hills
9th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Hinsdale South High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,370 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Darien
10th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Hinsdale South High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,370 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Darien
11th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Hinsdale South High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,370 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Darien
12th grade in Hinsdale · depends on your address
Hinsdale Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Hinsdale South High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,370 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Darien
Hinsdale runs its own schools through grade 8 (Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181). From grade 9, students attend the Hinsdale Township High School District 86, shared with Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Westmont, Willowbrook and York. Its elementary school is in Hinsdale. Parts of Hinsdale (2% of its land) are served by Lyons Township High School District 204 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Hinsdale
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Hinsdale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Hinsdale’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hinsdale | A+ | Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 PK–8 · Hinsdale Township High School District 86 9–12 |
| Burr Ridge | A | Gower School District 62 PK–8 · Pleasantdale School District 107 PK–8 · Hinsdale Township High School District 86 9–12 |
| Oak Brook | A+ | Butler School District 53 PK–8 · Hinsdale Township High School District 86 9–12 |
| Western Springs | A+ | Western Springs School District 101 PK–8 · LaGrange Highlands School District 106 PK–8 · Lyons Township High School District 204 9–12 |
| Indian Head Park | A | LaGrange Highlands School District 106 PK–8 · Pleasantdale School District 107 PK–8 · Lyons Township High School District 204 9–12 |
| Westmont | A | Westmont Community Unit School District 201 PK–12 · Maercker School District 60 PK–8 · Community High School District 99 9–12 |
| Clarendon Hills | A+ | Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 PK–8 · Hinsdale Township High School District 86 9–12 |
| York | B+ | SD 45 DuPage County PK–8 · Lombard School District 44 PK–8 · DuPage High School District 88 9–12 |
| Downers Grove | A | Downers Grove Grade School District 58 PK–8 · Hinsdale Township High School District 86 9–12 · Community High School District 99 9–12 |
6 of the 8 neighbors share Hinsdale Township High School District 86 with Hinsdale for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Hinsdale
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Hinsdale’s schools
Are Hinsdale’s schools good?
By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Hinsdale children attend outscore 98% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #1 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hinsdale in?
Two districts: Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 runs grades PK–8, and Hinsdale Township High School District 86 runs grades 9–12, shared with Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Westmont, Willowbrook and York.
Where do Hinsdale kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School.
What is Hinsdale’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Hinsdale Township High School District 86 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Hinsdale spend per student?
$33,501 in Hinsdale Township High School District 86 and $25,373 in Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Hinsdale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hinsdale → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.