Northside College Prep was ranked number one in Illinois by U.S. News and World Report.

A U.S. News and World Report on May 12 ranked six Chicago Public High Schools (CPS) among the top 10 in the state this year.

Schools include Northside College Prep (1), Walter Payton College Prep (2), Jones College Prep (3), Whitney M. Young Magnet (4), Lane Technical (6) and Lincoln Park High School (10). Three additional Chicago schools were recognized in the top twenty in the state, including Uno Academy (12), Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep (16) and Lindblom Math & Science (17). Nationally, Northside College Prep was ranked 15th and Walter Payton College Prep was ranked 66th.

“Chicago is the proud home to more of the top performing high schools than any city in the state,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I applaud the hard work of our students, and also the teachers, parents and school leaders who have supported them in attaining success in the classroom—without whom this would not be possible. Today’s report is further evidence of the progress being made by Chicago Public Schools and the bright future ahead for our students in college, career and in life.”

U.S. News and World Report assessed schools based on overall student performance on state-required tests; how schools educated least-advantaged students; and how well they prepared students for college based on participation in and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams.

This report is one of many accolades highlighting the progress that Chicago’s students are making progress at a rapid pace when compared with their peers across the country. The District upholds its rank as home to the most Gates winners this year, a status that has been claimed six times over the past seven years.

Last year, CPS had a graduation rate of 69.4 percent, the highest graduation rate in CPS history, and is on pace to graduate 84 percent of freshman in four years. All of this growth is attributed to the District’s progress in graduating more students every year.

Since 2011, CPS student participation in AP college-level coursework has increased by 40 percent, and Chicago ranks second in the nation of school districts with the most African-American students enrolled in AP courses, according to the College Board. CPS is a nationwide leader amongst large school districts for growth in AP participation by African-American and Latino students.

Chicago Public Schools serves 396,000 students in 665 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.