Air Force Acad High School: Top High School in Chicago (2026 List)

About Air Force Acad High School

Air Force Academy High School is a premier public military academy in Chicago, Illinois serving students in grades 9-12. One of the premier schools within the Chicago Public Schools system, it maintains an enrollment of approximately 340 students with a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 14:1. The school is noted for its innovative mix of military leadership training with high-level academics, boasting an impressive 84% Advanced Placement (AP) participation rate. The student body is culturally diverse. Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body. Academically, the school has 3% proficiency in Mathematics and 8% in Reading. The school also provides a lot of help for college entrance exams such as the SAT. The school heavily invests in its cadet programs and STEM initiatives, with funding estimated at about $19,000 per pupil. Air Force Academy High School is a top school for building discipline, civic responsibility and academic perseverance that prepares students to succeed in college and in their careers, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 3%

Reading 8%

State average proficiency is 3% in Math and 8% in Reading.

19

Full-time Teachers

6 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

2

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

118

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 2.54%

Asian 0%

Hispanic 37.29%

Black 57.63%

Two+ Races 1.69%

Native Am. 0%

White

2.54%

Asian

0%

Hispanic

37.29%

Black

57.63%

Two+ Races

1.69%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 118

44.92%

53 Female

55.08%

65 Male

Student Population

118 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 6 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

59 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Air Force Acad High School Contact Information

Address

3630 S Wells St, Chicago, IL, 60609

View on Map

Phone

(773) 535-1590

Call Now

Website

http://www.cps.edu

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 7:45 AM to 3:00 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:30 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

The Air Force Academy High School basketball team kicked off its 2025-26 season Nov. 25, 2025, with a 52-33 win against a varsity opponent on its Chicago campus. The Falcons were back in action on December 11, 2025, hosting EPIC Academy in a full schedule of conference and non-conference games that build school spirit. The Air Force Academy also focuses on STEM learning, with its cadets partaking in chemistry research and engineering programs that build technical and critical-thinking skills for their careers ahead.

FAQ

Q1. Does Air Force Acad High School offer individualized learning assistance?

Ans. Yes, Air Force Acad High School gives students advice and help to help them reach their academic goals.

Q2. Are students allowed to join clubs and activities outside of school?

Ans. Yes, clubs, sports, and student groups help people learn how to be social and lead.

Q3. Are there ways to get better at school?

Ans. Yes, advanced classes and projects make students work hard in school and think for themselves.

Q4. Are there any programs that are creative?

Ans. Yes, students can be creative through practical activities music, drama, and visual arts.

Q5. Are college entrance exams conducted here?

Ans. Students can take the SAT and ACT tests on-site or through programs that work together.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say