Orr Academy High School: Top Public High School in Chicago IL (2026 List)

About Orr Academy High School

Orr Academy High School is a public high school located in Chicago, Illinois. The school serves grades 9–12 . It is a premier school in the Chicago Public Schools system and has an enrollment of approximately 340 students with a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 13:1. The school is considered one of the best in the country for its commitment to offering diverse academic pathways including the option for students to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and examinations with an AP participation rate of 23%. The student body is very diverse, with 99% of the students coming from minority backgrounds. Orr Academy High School is 7% proficient in Reading . Academically, Orr Academy High School prepares students for collegiate success by consistently participating in the SAT. The school devotes substantial resources toward the aid of its economically disadvantaged population with funding estimated at approximately $22,500 per pupil. In the end, the school has been recognized as one of the best schools to promote a community-centered environment with a focus on academic resilience and individualized student growth, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 0%

Reading 7%

State average proficiency is 0% in Math and 7% in Reading.

23

Full-time Teachers

13 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

303

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 1.32%

Asian 0%

Hispanic 38.94%

Black 59.08%

Two+ Races 0.66%

Native Am. 0%

White

1.32%

Asian

0%

Hispanic

38.94%

Black

59.08%

Two+ Races

0.66%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 303

45.54%

138 Female

54.46%

165 Male

Student Population

303 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 13 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

151 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Orr Academy High School Contact Information

Address

730 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL, 60624

View on Map

Phone

(773) 534-6500

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 2:30 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

Orr Academy High School Spartans have a full slate of athletics including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling and volleyball, giving students opportunities to compete and build teamwork. The West Side campus offers Advanced Placement classes and SAT prep and counseling to prepare graduates for college and careers. Orr Academy provides clubs, mentoring and after-school programs that link students to academic support and leadership opportunities. The school continues to serve the Humboldt Park and West Garfield communities, working to keep students engaged and on track for graduation.

FAQ

Q1. Does Orr Academy High School support learning through practical activities?

Ans. Yes, students work on projects and do things that help them learn skills they can use in the real world.

Q2. What does Orr Academy High School do to make the learning environment better?

Ans. Respect, working together, and being responsible make sure that the school culture is safe, welcoming, and open to everyone.

Q3. Does Orr Academy High School help students think of new things?

Ans. Yes, students can find out more about art, music, and new projects that will help them be more creative.

Q4. Are college entrance exams conducted here?

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

Q5. What does Orr Academy High School teach?

Ans. Orr Academy High School has a college-preparatory curriculum and gives students chances to learn through practical activities and improve their skills.

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.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say