Photo: Soueric · CC BY-SA 4.0Wilmette’s public schools outscore 98% of Illinois districts
On the state reading tests, 68% of Wilmette’s students scored proficient, above the Illinois average (30%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Wilmette, 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.
Wilmette’s schools, in brief
Wilmette runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Wilmette Junior High School (7–8) is Wilmette’s own. From grade 9, students attend the New Trier Township High School District 203 with Glencoe, Kenilworth, New Trier, Northfield and Winnetka: New Trier Township H S Winnetka in Winnetka. The high school’s own results earn an A+, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 68% and math 65% across both districts in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
New Trier Township High School District 203 spends $38,898 per student and Wilmette School District 39 $25,998, 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 Wilmette’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 Wilmette, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Wilmette
Highcrest Middle School
Grades 5–6 · 748 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Wilmette
Highcrest Middle School
Grades 5–6 · 748 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Wilmette
Wilmette Junior High School
Grades 7–8 · 766 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Wilmette
Wilmette Junior High School
Grades 7–8 · 766 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Wilmette
New Trier Township H S Northfield
Grades 9 · 886 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Northfield
10th grade in Wilmette
New Trier Township H S Winnetka
Grades 10–12 · 2,770 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Winnetka
Wilmette runs its own schools through grade 8 (Wilmette School District 39). From grade 9, students attend the New Trier Township High School District 203, shared with Glencoe, Kenilworth, New Trier, Northfield and Winnetka. Its elementary school is in Wilmette. Parts of Wilmette (18% of its land) are served by Avoca School District 37 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Wilmette
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
Wilmette vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Wilmette’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmette | A+ | Wilmette School District 39 PK–8 · New Trier Township High School District 203 9–12 |
| New Trier | A+ | Wilmette School District 39 PK–8 · Glencoe School District 35 PK–8 · Winnetka School District 36 K–8 |
| Glenview | A | Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 PK–8 · Northfield Township High School District 225 9–12 |
| Kenilworth | A+ | Kenilworth School District 38 PK–8 · New Trier Township High School District 203 9–12 |
| Evanston | A− | Evanston Community Consolidated School District 65 PK–8 · Evanston Township High School District 202 9–12 |
| Niles | A− | Niles Township Community High School District 219 |
| Skokie | B+ | Skokie School District 68 K–8 · Niles Township Community High School District 219 9–12 |
| Northfield | A+ | Sunset Ridge School District 29 PK–8 · Avoca School District 37 K–8 · New Trier Township High School District 203 9–12 |
3 of the 7 neighbors share New Trier Township High School District 203 with Wilmette for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Wilmette
6 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 Wilmette’s schools
Are Wilmette’s schools good?
By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Wilmette 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 94%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Wilmette in?
Two districts: Wilmette School District 39 runs grades PK–8, and New Trier Township High School District 203 runs grades 9–12, shared with Glencoe, Kenilworth, New Trier, Northfield and Winnetka.
Where do Wilmette kids go to high school?
New Trier Township H S Winnetka in Winnetka, with 2,770 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Wilmette’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in New Trier Township High School District 203 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Wilmette spend per student?
$38,898 in New Trier Township High School District 203 and $25,998 in Wilmette School District 39 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Wilmette families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wilmette → 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.