Back of The Yards IB HS: Top Public High School in Chicago IL (2026 List)

About Back of The Yards IB HS

Back of The Yards College Preparatory High School is a highly rated, public school located in Chicago, IL. It has 1,017 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. It is one of the premier schools in the Chicago Public Schools system, with a solid enrollment of about 1,060 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of about 16:1. The school has a strong AP participation rate of 60 % and is known for its rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) focus and Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. The student body is culturally vibrant with a total minority enrollment of 99%. Back of The Yards College Preparatory High School is one of the highest performing schools in the region academically with a 24% proficiency in Mathematics and 19% proficiency in Reading. Students are actively prepared for success in college with assessments such as the SAT. The school has tremendous resources for an economically disadvantaged population with per-pupil funding estimated at about $15,800. It is known for having one of the best programs for developing global-mindedness and academic excellence in a caring community, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 24%

Reading 19%

State average proficiency is 24% in Math and 19% in Reading.

78

Full-time Teachers

13 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

3

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

1025

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 0.98%

Asian 1.27%

Hispanic 96%

Black 1.46%

Two+ Races 0%

Native Am. 0.29%

White

0.98%

Asian

1.27%

Hispanic

96%

Black

1.46%

Two+ Races

0%

Native Am.

0.29%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 1025

54.05%

554 Female

45.95%

471 Male

Student Population

1025 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 13 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

256 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Back of The Yards IB HS Contact Information

Address

2111 W 47th St, Chicago, IL, 60609

View on Map

Phone

(773) 535-7320

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: 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:45 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

In April 2025, Back of The Yards IB HS students Ángel Tierrablanca and Wendy DePaz became the first Chicago debaters to win a national championship in Spanish at the Urban Debate National Championship. The school’s Debate en Español program, which began in October, is a reflection of its commitment to dual-language education as the South Side’s only dual-language high school. Students also engage in community environmental work including tree-plantings and multilingual neighborhood canvassing through partnerships with Openlands and local clubs.

FAQ

Q1. Are there chances to be a leader at Back of The Yards IB HS?

Ans. Yes, student council and team-based activities help students learn how to be leaders.

Q2. How does Back of The Yards IB HS help students get ready for their careers?

Ans. Back of The Yards IB HS helps students explore and plan their careers by giving them advice, internships, and programs that connect them with career exploration and planning.

Q3. Are college entrance exams conducted here?

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

Q4. Are students allowed to go to cultural and arts events?

Ans. Yes, Back of The Yards IB HS encourages students to be creative by offering programs in music, theater, and the visual arts.

Q5. What can students do to get help with their homework?

Ans. Tutoring, advice, and counseling help students figure things out and do well in school.

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