Illinois’s #1 District: Finding Your Home in Barrington 220

Barrington Community Unit School District 220 doesn’t just rank well — it ranks first. Niche has named it Illinois’s #1 best unit school district, and the data backs it up: math and reading proficiency rates nearly double the state average, an average ACT composite of 25 (four points above both state and national averages), and five College Board AP Honor Roll selections driven by a 65% AP participation rate that puts Barrington High School in the top 1% of schools nationwide.

The district’s 13 schools serve approximately 8,000 students across 72 square miles spanning Cook, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties — a geographic footprint that reflects the reach and reputation D220 has built over decades. Twelve Blue Ribbon School Awards and a AAA bond rating (maintained since 2008 through 28 consecutive balanced budgets) speak to a district that runs as well as it teaches.

What sets D220 apart from other top-tier districts is the depth of its programming. A Spanish Dual Language track and a Chinese Immersion program serve a student body where nearly 70 languages are spoken at home. Fine arts are treated as a core discipline — not an elective afterthought — with one of the most comprehensive programs in Illinois. Barrington High School’s award-winning BHS-TV production program has partnered with CBS and the NFL and raised over $8 million for charity through student-led broadcasts. Nearly 90% of district educators hold master’s degrees or higher, and 40 have earned National Board Certification.

For families relocating to the northwest suburbs of Chicago, a home inside D220 boundaries is often the starting point of their search — not a detail to confirm afterward. The district’s academic outcomes drive consistent buyer demand, keeping inventory tight and values resilient. Buying in Barrington 220 means investing in your children’s education and one of the most enduring real estate markets in the greater Chicago area.