Consolidated High School District 230 is proud to announce that Carl Sandburg High School has been recognized among the top high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026–2027 rankings.

Carl Sandburg High School placed 75th across Illinois and #1,735 nationally out of nearly 18,000 public high schools evaluated nationwide, achieving an overall score of 90.33 out of 100.

The annual rankings evaluate public high schools on key performance metrics, including college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency and performance, and graduation rate.

Key Achievements Recognized:

• College Readiness & Coursework: Over 53% of Sandburg students participate in Advanced Placement® (AP) coursework, demonstrating a strong commitment to rigorous academic preparation.
   
• Academic Excellence: The school scored exceptional proficiency marks across key subjects, including a 74% proficiency rate in Science - well above the state average.
   
• Graduation Success: Sandburg maintained an outstanding 95% graduation rate, reinforcing District 230’s mission to prepare every student for post-secondary success.

"This national recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Sandburg community," said District 230 Superintendent Dr. Robert Nolting. "We remain deeply committed to fostering an environment where academic excellence, opportunity, and student growth thrive every day." 

For more details on the rankings and performance metrics, view the full report on U.S. News & World Report.