Maine West High School, also known as Maine West or MWHS, is a public four-year high school located in Des Plaines, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Maine Township High School District 207, which also includes Maine East High School and Maine South High School.
Serving 1,886 students in grades 9-12, Maine West High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 21% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 25% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,886 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 91% (Top 50% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 21% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 25% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 61% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Maine West High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Maine West High School's student population of 1,886 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 121 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,886 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
121 teachers
Year Founded
1959
Colors
White, Gold, Columbia blue
School Rankings
Maine West High School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Maine West High School is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1687 out of 3426 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)21%
28%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
50%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
10%
6%
Hispanic
46%
28%
Black
3%
16%
White
38%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
91%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
40%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (11-12)
25%
27%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maine West High School's ranking?
Maine West High School is ranked #1687 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Maine West High School often compared to?
Maine West High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Maine East High School, Maine South High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
21% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 25% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Maine West High School?
The graduation rate of Maine West High School is 91%, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Maine West High School?
1,886 students attend Maine West High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
46% of Maine West High School students are Hispanic, 38% of students are White, 10% of students are Asian, 3% of students are Black, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Maine West High School?
Maine West High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Maine West High School offer ?
Maine West High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Maine West High School part of?
Maine West High School is part of Maine Township HSD 207 School District.
School Calendar
View the Maine West High School below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Spring Break - No School
March 23, 2026 (Monday)
Spring Break - No School
March 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
Spring Break - No School
March 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
Spring Break - No School
March 26, 2026 (Thursday)
Spring Break - No School
March 27, 2026 (Friday)
School Reviews
Review Maine West High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
