Lake Forest, IL·D115
Homes in the
Lake Forest HS district.
A classic North Shore address along Lake Michigan, where tree-lined estate streets feed one of Illinois' most respected public high schools.
- Homes for sale
- 62
- Typical list
- $2,497,450
- Most expensive
- $17,000,000
- Most affordable
- $479,000
595 Circle Lane →
1350 Western Avenue →
Scouts · Royal Blue & Gold · 1,359 students · North Suburban Conference
Active listings
62 homes on the market
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Market snapshot
The Lake Forest HS area, by the numbers
Live MRED data, refreshed daily. What this market is actually doing right now, sales included, not a portal estimate.
Homes for sale now
107
Typical list price
$1,499,000
Avg time on market
17 days
Sold in the last year
395
Typical sale price · last 90 days
$1,235,000
What it's like to live here
Around Lake Forest
Real local creators on TikTok. Tap a tile to play it right here.
A bird’s eye view of last weekend’s BBQ in the Walled Garden at Hidden Huntley. Laid-back vibe and delicious food cooked fresh onsite. A lovely way to spend a summer afternoon with family and friends
@tablefoodcoWho knew 140 square feet could hold so much character 🤎 BARE RAGS reopens May 1st in downtown Huntley #boutique #Huntley
@barerags#huntleytacoslocos #tacosdelbarrio
@tacosdelbarrio01HUNTLEY JUST GOT EVEN MORE CHARMING! ✨ Downtown Huntley has a brand new shopping destination and it’s the perfect place to kick off your holiday shopping season! 🛍️ Shops on Main officially opens
@itsabbysworldafterallLiving near Lake Forest HS
The area, not just the school
Lake Forest is the quintessential North Shore town: a leafy, affluent community set right on the bluffs above Lake Michigan, about 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The streets curve through mature trees and historic estates, and the whole place has a settled, established feel that has drawn Chicago families for well over a century. At the heart of it is Market Square, an open-air shopping plaza dating to 1916 that still anchors downtown with shops, restaurants, and a real town-center feel.
Getting to the city is easy by North Shore standards. The Metra Union Pacific North line runs straight through Lake Forest with two stops, putting commuters on a one-seat ride to Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center. For drivers, U.S. Route 41 runs along the western edge of town and connects quickly to the Tri-State Tollway (I-94), so both the Loop and O'Hare are within reach. Lake Michigan itself defines the eastern boundary, with beaches and bluff-top parks that give the area its open, water-facing character.
The housing is what you would expect from one of the wealthier suburbs in the Midwest: grand older homes on large wooded lots, historic estates, and newer custom builds, alongside more modest options closer to town and the train. Buyers come here for the combination of space, privacy, walkable downtown charm, and a school district with a long reputation for academic and athletic strength. It is a place that rewards people looking for a long-term family home rather than a quick stop.
🎓District 115
Lake Forest is served by the standalone Lake Forest Community High School District 115.
🔵Scouts, blue and gold
Teams compete as the Scouts in the North Suburban Conference.
🏛️Built in 1935
The estate-style building was constructed in 1935 with WPA New Deal funds.
🏆Strong athletics
Won the 2024 IHSA boys lacrosse state title and recent competitive dance championships.
🚆Metra commute
The Metra Union Pacific North line runs through town with a direct ride downtown.
🌊On Lake Michigan
Lake Forest sits on the bluffs above Lake Michigan on Chicago's North Shore.
The school
About Lake Forest High School
Lake Forest High School was constructed in 1935 with funds from the Works Progress Administration during the New Deal era. Designed to resemble an estate home, the building blends in with the surrounding estates, giving it the appearance of a country manor rather than a traditional public school. Over the years the school has undergone three significant additions, the most recent in 2008, which added a commons area, a new lunchroom, and a music wing.
Lake Forest High School offers 26 AP courses and 40 Honors courses across the curriculum and posts one of the strongest academic profiles in Illinois, ranking among the top high schools in the state. The four-year graduation rate is roughly 99%, well above the state average.
The Scouts compete in the North Suburban Conference and carry one of the deeper athletic traditions on the North Shore, with the school reporting more than 70 state championships across its history. Recent highlights include the 2024 IHSA boys lacrosse state championship and back-to-back IHSA competitive dance state titles. The chief rival is Libertyville High School.
- District
- D115
- Founded
- 1935
- Principal
- Erin Lenart
- Conference
- North Suburban Conference
- Address
- 1285 N. McKinley Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Trophy case
- 🏆 Boys Lacrosse · 2024
- 🏆 Competitive Dance Class 2A · 2024
- 🏆 Girls Soccer · 2014
Notable alumni
- Vince Vaughn. Film actor, class of 1988.
- Andrew Bird. Acclaimed musician and singer-songwriter, class of 1991.
- Matt Grevers. Swimmer and four-time Olympic gold medalist, class of 2003.
- Dave Eggers. Author and founder of McSweeney's, class of 1988.
- Rob Pelinka. General manager of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, class of 1988.
- Sarah Spain. ESPN reporter and broadcaster, class of 1998.
Facts on this page sourced from Wikipedia and the District D115 website. Last verified 2026-06-25.
Listings filtered by the school the MRED listing agent assigned. Roughly 7 in 10 active listings have this field populated; the remaining listings will surface once the school-district boundary pipeline ships. School assignment is not a guarantee. Always verify with the district before writing an offer.
The questions buyers actually ask
Lake Forest HS FAQ
The questions I get most from buyers shopping the Lake Forest HS district. If yours isn't here, text 224-385-8779, same-day reply.
- What school district serves Lake Forest High School?
- Lake Forest High School is the only school in Lake Forest Community High School District 115, which serves Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood plus small parts of neighboring communities.
- How big is Lake Forest High School?
- Enrollment is about 1,359 students in grades 9 to 12 as of the 2024-25 school year, giving it a mid-size, well-resourced feel.
- How strong are the academics?
- Very strong. The school offers 26 AP courses and 40 Honors courses, graduates close to 99% of its students, and ranks among the top high schools in Illinois.
- What sports is Lake Forest known for?
- The Scouts compete in the North Suburban Conference and have a deep championship tradition, including the 2024 IHSA boys lacrosse state title and recent competitive dance titles.
- What is the commute to Chicago like?
- Lake Forest is on the Metra Union Pacific North line with a direct train to downtown, and U.S. Route 41 connects to the Tri-State Tollway for drivers heading to the Loop or O'Hare. If you want alerts for new homes in the district, text 224-385-8779.
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This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC for the period July 16, 2025 through July 16, 2026. Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC does not guarantee nor is it in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Midwest Real Estate Data LLC may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.