Maine South High School in Park Ridge

Category	Rating	Details
College Readiness	10/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from Illinois State Board of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from Illinois State Board of Education.

Posted: November 30, 2025

My three children had a great experience at Maine South High School. We moved into Park Ridge because of the the school system. I wish my kids had the current principal (2025) rather than the previous but it didn't matter in the end.

Posted: November 30, 2025

Posted: August 12, 2025

Do not send your children here especially if they play a sport. If you're not well known, rich, white, etc forget it. Most talented kids I seen be kick to curb due to favoritism and politics. Maine south has to be the top for this problem. It is sad, I know many families who went through it. Discrimination against children.

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: February 10, 2025

My experience at Maine South High School has been significantly varied, spanning both positive and negative extremes. I had a great experience when my daughters attended the school and graduated in 2017 and 2019, during which time I felt the school provided a supportive and enriching environment. However, my more recent experience as a substitute teacher in the 2024-2025 school year was quite the opposite.

During this time, I encountered unprofessional conduct and practices within the administration that were deeply concerning. I observed instances of discrimination against students, as well as a troubling lack of respect and professionalism directed at substitute teachers. Specifically, I experienced challenges while working under the leadership of the Chairperson of Social Science, and the Chairperson of Human Resources. Their actions seemed to prioritize personal agendas, which resulted in a hostile and unwelcoming environment for staff members like myself. I was ultimately retaliated against and lost my position due to an error made by one of these individuals.

This situation speaks volumes about the administrations priorities and raises concerns about the overall direction of the school under current leadership. Its unfortunate that hardworking educators and staff, who are dedicated to supporting the students, are the ones who bear the consequences of such a toxic environment.

I am grateful that my daughters were able to graduate before these recent changes, as I fear the current administration is not providing the same quality experience that I once valued. It is my belief that unless there is meaningful change in the leadership, the school is at risk of significant failure.

Posted: February 10, 2025

Posted: September 16, 2024

Not prepared for after high school. Kids are dealing drugs and no one cares. Sports? Forget it if you don't donate money or part of a certain group they will not play you, even if you are beyond skilled! Ruined many children's future, football? Don't go there they won't play you. Not rich? Don't go there. Glad I am away

Posted: July 5, 2024

As a graduating senior, I feel compelled to share my honest experience at south Unfortunately, this school falls short in adequately preparing its students for higher education, particularly due to the glaring issues within the math department. Gahhh!

The math department here is nothing short of a joke. The curriculum is outdated, and the teaching methods are ineffective. Many of the teachers lack the passion and skill to engage students, often relying on rote memorization rather than fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. This has left many of us struggling with basic principles that should have been mastered long ago.

Despite repeated feedback from students and parents, the administration has done little to address these concerns. This neglect has resulted in a significant gap in our education, making the transition to college-level math daunting and overwhelming. Many of my peers have had to seek external tutoring to compensate for the deficiencies in our classroom instruction.

Additionally, the school fosters a prison-like feeling. They make every student feel guilty for things that they did not nearly do. It makes no sense and it is quite literally impossible to explain in words.

Maine South has repeatedly failed to provide a solid educational foundation, particularly in math, leaving many of us ill-prepared for the demands of higher education. I hope the community takes immediate action to overhaul the administration and provide future students with the quality education they deserve.

Posted: July 5, 2024

Posted: June 19, 2024

Just graduated and let me say. This place doesnt prepare you for college. Math department is beyond terrible and administration is a monstrosity. INTEGRATED MATH+STANDARDS BASED GRADING= MAINE SOUTH DOWNFALL!!!

Posted: June 19, 2024

Posted: April 14, 2024

Bad. Really bad. You wouldnt believe how bad. After $295M in renovations, there is an apparent mice and cockroach infestation. The roaches jump at you, its disgusting. Whenever it rains, water seeps through the ceiling and the school has to put buckets up everywhere to catch the water. Standards based grading here is so terrible you wouldnt even believe me. Its laughable. Math department is specifically AWFUL here. This school is not run well on any level. Administration is disgustingly incompetent, teachers use alarmingly outdated methods, and security is a non-existent joke here.

Posted: April 14, 2024

Posted: August 24, 2023

This school has become a horrible horrible joke! Administrators are terrible and do not show respect to teachers, students, or families. Students are treated like prisoners.

Posted: August 24, 2023

Posted: June 1, 2023

While the past two years, my student has experienced excellent teaching, support and commitment from some of his teachers, this past school year has seen an exodus of dedicated, talented, and committed educators in the Fine and Performing Arts Department. And I am not surprised.

These teachers have NOT been supported by our superintendent and administration. The fine arts teachers put in an unbelievable amount of hours of work and commitment outside of the school day. There appears to be NO grasp or understanding on the part of the superintendent and his administration around how much time it takes to run a vital Fine and Performing Arts Department.

Despite the high number of student participants; the achievements of the students they work so closely with; and the recognition from the state, these teachers are not recognized by the administration. On the contrary, they are dumped on - being asked to take on more and more for less and less. The administration would rather let these teachers walk away - leave the program off balance and in limbo than work to retain these gifted teachers in the department.

I have lost a tremendous amount of respect for the administration and more importantly, an even more amount of faith in the education my student will receive during the rest of their high school career.

Posted: June 1, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2022

So amazing and galmorus I am impressed by this work of art school

Posted: September 13, 2022

Posted: June 5, 2022

Absolute chaotic mess. This school used to be such a fabulous learning environment; my kids were happy, getting educated, and performing well. All of that changed post-covid 19. New administrators, including all the bogus principals are absolutely horrid. They aggressively will call you, always trying to tell you that your kid is in some sort of trouble. If you dont answer, they will start bothering your emergency-contact relatives. Such nonsense. Never had an issue like this prior, and I have had kids in this school since 2013. Additionally, curriculums and grading standards are being changed completely, making it near impossible to perform well. You might wonder, why does this school still rate high? The answer is simple. They do not give out F grades. No matter what, they erase the failing scores, and give unfair advantages to everyone that is failing. It makes this school district seem like a humorous joke. To add more fuel to the fire, they now are not putting homework into grade calculation what the heck?!

Students are very nice and respectful of each other, but according to my kids, nearly every student here is on drugs.

Overall, do not send your kids here. They genuinely will be depressed. It is sad to see, but it is the truth. We are moving our current high schoolers to private school.

Posted: June 5, 2022

Posted: May 15, 2019

Depends on teacher and classes, but frequently homework is busy work.\--not necessarily effective for learning

Posted: May 15, 2019

Having 2 children at Maine South for 6 years in all, while there are a few great teachers, many are older--hence the higher rating of experience and stuck with old syllabi's not willing to change and make things interesting. The math department lacks sorely for good teachers and science is 50/50. I was actually shocked how low the school's ranking is doesn't make the top 50 in IL.

Posted: May 15, 2019

I believe the school is good in focusing on character in the students overall and encourages compassion and integrity.

Posted: May 15, 2019

Newer principal is trying, but superintendent is poor and school board lacks knowledge to understand.

Posted: May 15, 2019

I nove no experience in this area--my children are in advanced classes, so much is self discipline and self taught

Posted: May 15, 2019

No experience to be able to address this

Posted: May 15, 2019

Overall, if you are sports geared, it's a great school. Otherwise is a fine school, but for the taxes and expectations for Park Ridge, there are many better suburban schoool, much more academic and higher ranked. Not certain this is one I would brag about or in retrospect would have selected for my children.

Posted: June 13, 2018

Maine South is known to be one of, if not, the best school in the area and state. Everyday walking through those doors I feel ready and happy. Maine South has reignited my love for learning and school has not become a place to dread but a place to love. I am in all of the higher academic courses and I can say that the AP program and Accelerated Programs are exceptional and you learn so much. I attend college next year and I feel so prepared. Maine South has excellent teachers and administrators. They genuinely care about the students and are passionate about what they do. Of course just like every school, you have the occasional dud of a teacher who lacks, but they generally never last long here. Maine South has a massive array of extra-curriculars that students can partake in. Everything ranging from chess club to football to yoga club to key club is available at Maine south. Maine South also has many different educational honor programs like NHS and its variations. If you live in park Ridge MS would be the best choice for your child. If you dont live in park Ridge I would say try to move into district or move to PR. The education is worth it to have your child put on a path to long lasting success.

Posted: June 13, 2018

Maine south effectively assigens homeworks which adequately assesses students knowledge and helps deepen and enrich student understanding.

Posted: June 13, 2018

The teachers could not be any more magnificent! They are absolutely fantastic in so many ways. They are passionate about teaching, involved with the students, and most importantly focus on each and every individuals different learning needs and help them adapt to achieve the optimal learning experience.

Posted: June 13, 2018

My children come out of Maine South a better person each day. More intelligent, more passionate about learning, and more mature. MS has so many opportunities for students that help build great character.

Posted: June 13, 2018

Current principal Ben Collins is good but not great. Doesnt talk much to students.

Posted: June 13, 2018

Great SPED program and have multiple levels of classes that differ in difficulty to help each student learn in an adequate environment.

Posted: June 13, 2018

When I had an incident with bullying, they called my parents the same day and called the bully into the office, and took care of it before the end of the day and it was never a probelm again.

Posted: April 24, 2017

Very good mix of challenging and interesting course work from AP classes to special ed programs. An equally impressive number of sports teams, clubs, arts programs and interests represented, there is something for everyone. So much of the high school experience is what you make it - Maine South gives every kid every opportunity to make it great. The rest is up to them. Excellent opportunities for every student.

Posted: February 19, 2016

Perfect education preparing me for a great university. Proud to be have been a Hawk.

Posted: January 3, 2016

I found the quality of the education very bad and the teachers were inexperienced. they were unfair

Posted: December 29, 2014

Proud to be a teacher at Maine South and looking forward to the day when my children attend this excellent institution. Go Maine South Hawks!

Posted: March 4, 2014

Excellent academics and top ranked athletics is what Maine South is known for and I have to agree. I have 2 sons that attend, freshman and senior. They are thriving and excelling in their coursework. I am confident without a doubt that my senior is prepared for University.

Posted: December 6, 2012

Teachers and coaches are great! Excellent school that offers great traditions and programs that the new principal Inherited. Discipline at this school is failing rapidly due to lack of leadership.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Forrestal Military Community	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Chicago	IL	20.7 mi
2	Forest City Nimitz	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Chicago	IL	21.4 mi
3	Woodlake Apartments	Apartment Complex	Gurnee	IL	25.1 mi
4	Reserve at Eagle Ridge	Apartment Complex	Waukegan	IL	28.8 mi

#	Name	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Libertyville	Libertyville	IL		20.2 mi
2	Waukegan	Waukegan	IL		25.1 mi

Base	Distance
Coast Guard Chicago	17.1 mi.
Great Lakes Naval Station	20.7 mi.

Maine South High School

Park Ridge, IL 60068

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Maine South High School

Park Ridge, IL 60068

School Ratings

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