Are These the Prettiest and Ugliest Colleges in Illinois?

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you wouldn’t want to go to a school that resembles a prison, would you?

Here are Some of the Strangest High School Mascots in Illinois

I mean, the Centralia High School Orphans? Come on!

Illinois is Home to a Top-Five University, says U.S. News and World Report

U.S. News and World Report recently unveiled their 2015 rankings. Which Illinois universities and colleges received top marks?

The 16 Best Public High Schools in Illinois, as Ranked by Newsweek

If you don’t think 16 is good enough, don’t worry, because one Illinois high school ranked No. 3 overall in the country!

How Much are Your Childrens' Teachers Making?

Are they being over- or underpaid for their services?

Did Our High Schoolers Study Enough? How Did the Illinois Class of 2014 Score on the ACT?

Which ACT subjects stump Illinois students?

15 College Hacks You Need to Know for the 2014-15 School Year

Make this your best year ever at college with these 15 helpful college hacks. Ramen not included.

UIC Prof Can Tell You When You'll Die, Sort Of

The "Face My Age" website will take your selfies and reveal how long you might live.

Chicago Teachers Talked to Like Children in 'Teach to the Test' Video

Chicago schools becoming a flashpoint in battle over standardized testing.

CPS Schools to Close Tuesday

All Chicago Public Schools are closing Tuesday due to the cold temperatures expected.

CPS Closing Schools Monday

The decision came late Sunday afternoon after the district was criticized by the union for planning to hold classes.

Today's College Grads Won't Be Able to Retire Until They're 73

Student loan debt likely will force today's college grads to work longer.

Parents: Are Your Kids Safe at School?

Are kids in the cross-hairs when it comes to potential gun violence at schools?

Caribou Coffee's Removal of LGBT Painting Sparks Controversy

The Northbrook coffee shop removed a homecoming image painted by a high school club after receiving complaints. Its corporate office said the store should not have done so.

Private School Options Expanding in Chicago

Six private schools are either slated to open or expand in the city, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

Great Back to School Breakfast Ideas for Kids

Help your little one get a good start to the day with these easy-to-make, healthy morning meals.

What's Your Problem With Chicago Public Schools? Tell Us.

Tell us what we should be looking at and share your opinions about the current state of CPS.

Can Smartphones Make Smart Students? Schools Think So

No more pencils, no more books. iPads, smartphones and other technology find their way into the classroom.

5 Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids Succeed in College

Parenting advice from Mom.me on how parents can help their kids succeed in their first year of college. The hardest lesson? Letting them go.

How to Keep School Lunches Safe

Lunch shouldn’t make your kids sick. Here are some tips to preventing foodborne illness in their lunch bag.

Suave Washes Away the Competition (Sponsored)

Parents enlist the help of Suave for its ability to gently soothe and wash away the remnants of the game. Sponsored by Suave.

How Do You Make the Perfect PB&J?

Well, for starters, you want your peanut butter to jelly ration at 2:1. What are your tips for creating the perfect sandwich?

CTA and Sun-Times Offer Free Rides on the First Day of School

The two are teaming up for the second year in a row to to promote school attendance.

Win Money for Local Schools Through 'Give With Target' Campaign

The Give With Target campaign ends Sept. 21.

5 Laugh-Out-Loud Blogs to Start the School Year

You've bought the supplies (or not), you've got the new clothes (some of them), and like it or not, the first day of school is upon you. Here, some inspiration to get you ready for the year ahead.

Three Fun, First Day of School Traditions

The start of the new school year is always an exciting time for the kids, so make it even more memorable.

Backpack Safety Tips for Back to School

Don't let your child get weighed down with an oversized, overly heavy backpack. We share safety tips for buying a backpack and keeping kids safe.

New Wicker Park Playground Will Feature Parents' Design Picks

A groundbreaking is planned Friday for a new playground in Wicker Park. The school has worked with Ald. Moreno for four years to accomplish the project.

Local High Schools Shunned as Newsweek Names Top in the Country

The magazine's 2013 rankings came out Monday; see where other Chicago high schools ranked.

DePaul Community Takes to the Streets to 'Get Dirty'

More than 1.700 members fo the DePaul University community are joining hands this Saturday in a special effort dedicated to the city's neighborhoods.

Razed Buildings Make Way for DePaul's Urban Garden

A garden now grows where three buildings on DePaul University's campus once stood. Watch the accompanying video to learn more about this remarkable, student-led initiative.

Four CPS Schools Top U.S. News' Illinois High School Rankings

The selective enrollment high schools were named the four best schools in the state.

DePaul Creates New Big East Conference

Officials from DePaul University announced Tuesday plans to establish a new conference that will begin play in the 2013-2014 academic year under the Big East name.

Community Unites to Save Area Schools

Representatives from a North Side elementary school praised the its special education program, while speakers from other schools said the closures would pose a safety risk for students commuting through rough neighborhoods.

Local Schools Named for Closure

Out of 129 schools named to a preliminary school closing list, many are on Chicago's North Side, nearing Wicker Park.

Alderman, 5 Local Groups Say 'No' to DePaul's Kenmore Green

Months after a meeting that sought community input on a DePaul University plan to close a section of Kenmore Avenue, there has been no progress on the matter. Lincoln Park officials have said they cannot support the vision in its current form.

BWP Residents Shop for Schools, Donate Dollars

The Wicker Park-Bucktown Chamber of Commerce has calculated the total amount of sales and donations generated by its Shop For Schools program, which lasted from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9.

CPS Wants Parental Input on New Calendar

Chicago Public Schools has launched an online survey to gather feedback from parents while creating the district's universal calendar for the 2013-2014 academic year. The initiative is part of the deal that ended the summer's teachers' un

Newtown School Shooting: Talk to Your Kids About it

The National Association of School Psychologists offered a range of suggestions for parents to use while helping children and teens cope with the Connecticut school shooting Friday.

North Siders to CPS: 'Don't Close Our Schools'

Hundreds of people gathered at Horner Park on Dec. 14 for a public hearing with the Commission on School Utilization.