Schools
Education in Winthrop Harbor
Education in Our Community
A child who starts kindergarten at Westfield School can walk a straight line through North Prairie Junior High, Zion-Benton Township High School, and into college credit earned free of charge at College of Lake County — all before they turn eighteen. Adults who move here find the same doors open to them for career training and degree completion.
Good schools are the quiet infrastructure of a good community. Winthrop Harbor has them.
K–12 Public Schools
Winthrop Harbor School District 1
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Winthrop Harbor School District 1 serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The district is committed to academic excellence and the development of the whole child in a safe and supportive environment.
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126
9th – 12th Grade
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 serves high school students from Winthrop Harbor and surrounding communities. The district offers a comprehensive curriculum including Advanced Placement courses, vocational programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Higher Education
College of Lake County
Higher Education & Workforce Training
College of Lake County is the community college serving Winthrop Harbor — and an exceptional asset for residents at every stage of life. Since opening in 1969, CLC has served more than 400,000 students and today enrolls over 23,000 across credit programs, adult education, ESL, dual credit, and workforce training.
40
Associate Degrees
Plus 115 short-term certificates across nine areas of study including healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and business
16:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Students get individual attention, not a lecture hall
$33,000
Average Tuition Savings
By completing two years at CLC before transferring to an Illinois public university
Free
Dual Credit for High Schoolers
CLC partners with 25 Lake County high schools and covers the full cost of tuition — saving Lake County families nearly $4 million last year alone
Recognition & Designation
- Named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2025 — top 10% of a national network of more than 400 institutions
- Federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution
Campus Locations
- Lakeshore Campus — Waukegan
- Grayslake Campus — Grayslake
- Southlake Campus — Vernon Hills
- Advanced Technology Center — Gurnee
All four campuses are an easy drive from Winthrop Harbor — no need to relocate or commute into Chicago.
Helpful Resources for Families
Illinois State Board of Education
Access state education standards, school report cards, and resources for Illinois families.
Visit ISBEIllinois Report Card
View detailed performance data and demographics for schools and districts across Illinois.
View Report CardsLake County Regional Office of Education
The Regional Office of Education provides support services to schools and families throughout Lake County.
Visit Lake County ROEQuestions About Schools?
Enrollment questions, attendance boundaries, and registration requirements are handled directly by each institution. Please contact the district or college for the most current information.