Halina Kraszewski

 Illinois has one of the most progressive educational systems in the nation. Students from Chicagoland schools are among the best and brightest. The major colleges and universities in the area are some of the most respected in the world, and there are dozens of small to medium-sized colleges throughout the six-county area that offer flexible and affordable education for all. There are a number of theological seminaries and schools of music, art and law.

Chicagoland schools are highly regarded nationwide, and have been inspiring some of the country’s best minds for over 150 years. Students in all grades reach educational goals beyond normal expectations using the progressive curriculum taught throughout the region. Educators challenge all students to explore interests beyond the core curriculum by attending special classes in advanced technology, Illinois history, geography, writing, music, art, drama and foreign language. The results speak for themselves; Chicagoland students annually rank in the upper echelon of Illinois’ academic tests.

Students’ achievements, from Lakeview to Lockport, Aurora to Alsip, and everywhere in between, reflect the proud work ethic one expects from those educated by only the most talented teachers. Reaching personal goals beyond the classroom, Chicagoland students have attained national recognition in academics, athletics, music and more. National Merit Scholarship and Illinois State Scholars programs have honored countless thousands over the years and college-bound students continually outpace their counterparts nationwide in American College Test scores. Likewise, students consistently have scored higher than their peers on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Private and parochial education programs also excel at stimulating young minds hungry for knowledge and preparing them for educational challenges in the future.

Some of the most prestigious Universities and Colleges in the nation are found throughout the Chicagoland area. The most notable in Cook County include: Chicago State University, Governors State University, The Illinois Institute of Art, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia College, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, John Marshall Law School, Loyola University, Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and The University of Chicago.

Excellent schools exist in the collar counties as well. In DuPage County are the College of DuPage, Benedictine University, Elmhurst College, North Central College and Wheaton College, among others.

In Kane County are Elgin Community College, Waubonsee Community College and Judson College, while in Lake County are the College of Lake County and Lake Forest College. Students in McHenry County attend McHenry County College while those in Will County have Joliet Junior College and Lewis University as excellent options.Libraries

Supplementing the excellent education that students receive throughout Chicagoland schools is an extensive, modern and thoroughly connected library system. Virtually every community has access to the latest educational resources for study outside the classroom. In Chicago itself, the country’s largest public library, the Harold Washington Library Center, is located at 400 S. State St. and houses an enormous collection of books, archives, periodicals, music and more. Its excellent children’s library promotes reading and learning at an early age. Most Chicagoland libraries have high-speed access to the Internet, opening unprecedented access to valuable information at the mere click of a mouse. The interlibrary loan system makes all publications available to everyone. By offering children’s reading programs, interactive study and lifelong learning initiatives, libraries throughout Chicagoland are focused on bringing the world of information to all.

Public Schools

Chicago Board of Education
1819 W. Pershing Rd., Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 535-8000

Suburban Schools

Illinois Board of Education
100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 814-2220

Private Schools

A variety of agencies govern private elementary and secondary schools in metropolitan Chicago. For further information, contact:

Archdiocese of Chicago

School Office (312) 751-8200
Catholic School Board (312) 751-5200Jewish Federation of Chicago (312) 346-6700
Lutheran High School Assn. of Greater Chicago (630) 628-6289
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod of Northern Illinois (708) 449-3020

Colleges & Universities

Chicago State University, Chicago: (773) 995-2000
Columbia College, Chicago: (312) 663-1600
DePaul University, Chicago: (312) 362-8000
DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago: (773) 929-6550
Elmhurst College, Elmhurst: (630) 279-4100
Governors State University, Chicago: (708) 534-5000
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago: (312) 567-3000
Kendall College, Evanston: (847) 866-1300
Lewis University, Romeoville: (815) 838-0500
Loyola University of Chicago: (773) 274-3000
National Louis University, Evanston: (847) 475-1100
North Park College & Seminary, Chicago: (773) 244-6200
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago: (773) 583-4050
Northwestern University, Evanston: (847) 491-7271
Roosevelt University, Chicago: (312) 341-3500
St. Xavier University, Chicago: (773) 779-3300
University of Chicago: (773) 702-8650
University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School, North Chicago: (847) 578-3000
University of Illinois at Chicago: (312) 996-7000

Community & Junior Colleges

City Colleges of Chicago: (312) 553-3303
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn: (630) 858-2800
College of Lake County, Grayslake: (847) 223-6601
Morraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills: (708) 974-2110
Oakton Community College, Des Plaines: (847) 635-1600
Prairie State College, Chicago Heights: (708) 709-3500
South Suburban College, South Holland: (708) 596-2000
Triton College, River Grove: (708) 456-0300
William Rainey Harper College, Palatine: (847) 925-6000

Libraries

The Chicago Public Library System
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State St., Chicago, IL 60605 (773) 542-7279

Public College Enrollment

University of Illinois at Chicago: 24,610
Harry S. Truman College: 14,147
Wilbur Wright College: 11,560
Northeastern Illinois University: 10,937
Governors State University: 8,800
Harold Washington College: 8,270
Richard J. Daley College: 8,200
Malcolm X College: 8,561
Olive-Harvey College: 7,778
Chicago State University: 7,580
Kennedy-King College: 6,681

Private College Enrollment

DePaul University: 19,549
Northwestern University: 17,041
Loyola University of Chicago: 13,359
University of Chicago: 12,016
Columbia College: 8,848
Roosevelt University: 6,960
National-Lewis University: 6,532
Illinois Institute of Technology: 6,062
Robert Morris College: 4,941
Lewis University: 4,108
St. Xavier College: 4,051
DeVry Institute of Technology: 4,001
North Park University: 2,198
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: 2,370

Source: State of Illinois Board of Higher Education Databook, Fall 2001

Top U.S. Executive MBA Programs Ranked Schools

1. Northwestern University-Chicago (Kellogg)
2. University of Pennsylvania-Philadelphia (Wharton)
3. University of Chicago-Chicago
4. Duke University-Durham, NC (Fuqua)
5. Columbia University-New York City
6. New York University-New York City (Stern)
7. University of California-Los Angeles (Anderson)
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Cambridge, MA (Sloan)
9. University of North Carolina-Chappel Hill, NC (Kenan-Flagler)
10. University of Southern California-Los Angeles (Marshall)

Source: U.S. News & World Report, School Rankings, 2000