Chicago Public Schools celebrates more than 125 students with perfect ACT scores, 23 at Whitney Young

[get these nets]

More than 125 CPS students nailed a perfect ACT score — here’s where they go to school​

06/04/25

CHICAGO - At least 125 high school students across Chicago Public Schools earned a perfect score on the ACT this year — something fewer than 1% of students pull off nationwide, according to preliminary data shared by CPS.

What we know:
The standout among CPS schools was Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, where 40 students scored a 36. Lane Tech College Prep followed with 24, and Whitney M. Young Magnet High School reported 23 perfect scores.

Northside College Prep saw 20 students reach the milestone, while Jones College Prep had 13. Several other high schools — including Amundsen, Lincoln Park, Disney II, Solorio, and Von Steuben — reported one or two perfect scores each.

The data includes both spring school-day ACT exams and national weekend test dates between September 2024 and June 2025.

Officials also noted that while most top scorers are current juniors in the Class of 2026, a few were seniors and at least one was a sophomore.

What we don't know:

The numbers are still preliminary. CPS says final validated results won’t be available until fall, after a full review by the district and the Illinois State Board of Education.


Some student scores may be reassigned to different schools or disqualified during that process.


By the numbers:


This estimated tally incorporates perfect scores from both 1) school day ACT testing in the spring and 2) any weekend national test dates from September 2024 through now. Preliminary school day test perfect scores are as follows:

1. Walter Payton College Prep (40)
2. Lane Tech College Prep (24)
3. Whitney Young Magnet (23)
4. Northside College Prep (20)
5. Jones College Prep (13)
6. Amundsen High School (2)
7. Lincoln Park High School (2)
8. Von Steuben Metropolitan High School (2)
9. Disney II Magnet (1)
10. Solorio Academy High School (1)

* 128 perfect scores


What they're saying:


In a statement, CPS leaders said the results showcase the academic strength emerging from public schools in Chicago, especially selective enrollment schools.


"This remarkable accomplishment reflects the powerful impact of investing in Chicago’s youth," the statement said. "CPS students continue to rise to the highest academic standards, proving that they rank among the brightest and most capable young minds in the nation. The District remains deeply committed to preparing the next generation for long-term success by advancing educational opportunities, strengthening not only the future of individual students but also the city of Chicago and our country as a whole."

 

[Conan]

Amazing

 

[beenz]

More than 125 CPS students nailed a perfect ACT score — here’s where they go to school​

06/04/25

CHICAGO - At least 125 high school students across Chicago Public Schools earned a perfect score on the ACT this year — something fewer than 1% of students pull off nationwide, according to preliminary data shared by CPS.

What we know:
The standout among CPS schools was Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, where 40 students scored a 36. Lane Tech College Prep followed with 24, and Whitney M. Young Magnet High School reported 23 perfect scores.

Northside College Prep saw 20 students reach the milestone, while Jones College Prep had 13. Several other high schools — including Amundsen, Lincoln Park, Disney II, Solorio, and Von Steuben — reported one or two perfect scores each.

The data includes both spring school-day ACT exams and national weekend test dates between September 2024 and June 2025.

Officials also noted that while most top scorers are current juniors in the Class of 2026, a few were seniors and at least one was a sophomore.

What we don't know:

The numbers are still preliminary. CPS says final validated results won’t be available until fall, after a full review by the district and the Illinois State Board of Education.


Some student scores may be reassigned to different schools or disqualified during that process.


By the numbers:


This estimated tally incorporates perfect scores from both 1) school day ACT testing in the spring and 2) any weekend national test dates from September 2024 through now. Preliminary school day test perfect scores are as follows:

1. Walter Payton College Prep (40)
2. Lane Tech College Prep (24)
3. Whitney Young Magnet (23)
4. Northside College Prep (20)
5. Jones College Prep (13)
6. Amundsen High School (2)
7. Lincoln Park High School (2)
8. Von Steuben Metropolitan High School (2)
9. Disney II Magnet (1)
10. Solorio Academy High School (1)

* 128 perfect scores


What they're saying:


In a statement, CPS leaders said the results showcase the academic strength emerging from public schools in Chicago, especially selective enrollment schools.


"This remarkable accomplishment reflects the powerful impact of investing in Chicago’s youth," the statement said. "CPS students continue to rise to the highest academic standards, proving that they rank among the brightest and most capable young minds in the nation. The District remains deeply committed to preparing the next generation for long-term success by advancing educational opportunities, strengthening not only the future of individual students but also the city of Chicago and our country as a whole."

the only thing that sucks are none of these schools are in predominantly black neighborhoods or have sizeable black populations.

even whitney young, a school that I personally know a ton of black folks who graduated from, only has a 17% black population and is not in a black neighborhood.

 

[Windows 91]

And they were really talking about getting rid of the selective enrollment schools. They're the crown jewels of CPS.

Payton having 40 is insane since they're a smaller school. You'd think Lane Tech would have more, they got like 6000 kids at that damn school.

 

[Turtle]

the only thing that sucks are none of these schools are in predominantly black neighborhoods or have sizeable black populations.

even whitney young, a school that I personally know a ton of black folks who graduated from, only has a 17% black population and is not in a black neighborhood.

Damn, can’t let people enjoy shyt huh?

 

[beenz]

And they were really talking about getting rid of the selective enrollment schools. They're the crown jewels of CPS.

Payton having 40 is insane since they're a smaller school. You'd think Lane Tech would have more, they got like 6000 kids at that damn school.

I was expecting to see lindblom or brooks on that list. surprising they had a NONE between them.

 

[get these nets]

the only thing that sucks are none of these schools are in predominantly black neighborhoods or have sizeable black populations.

even whitney young, a school that I personally know a ton of black folks who graduated from, only has a 17% black population and is not in a black neighborhood.

Yeah, I'm sure the principal at Whitney is working with k-8 educators to help more Black students test into that high school.
Hope his pipelines arent wiped out by Trump’s campaign against Black people

 

[Diondon]

God bless the youth