Best private high schools in Illinois
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Illinois using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
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#30. Chicago Waldorf School
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 366 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#29. St. Francis High School
– Location: Wheaton, IL
– Enrollment: 703 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#28. St. Laurence High School
– Location: Burbank, IL
– Enrollment: 1,030 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#27. Regina Dominican High School
– Location: Wilmette, IL
– Enrollment: 258 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#26. Fenwick High School
– Location: Oak Park, IL
– Enrollment: 1,197 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#25. Loyola Academy
– Location: Wilmette, IL
– Enrollment: 2,000 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#24. Naperville Christian Academy
– Location: Naperville, IL
– Enrollment: 128 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#23. Wolcott College Prep
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 150 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#22. Keith Country Day School
– Location: Rockford, IL
– Enrollment: 248 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#21. Ida Crown Jewish Academy
– Location: Skokie, IL
– Enrollment: 220 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#20. Academy High
– Location: Champaign, IL
– Enrollment: 58 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#19. Bennett Day School
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 353 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#18. Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
– Location: Deerfield, IL
– Enrollment: 185 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#17. The Einstein Academy
– Location: Elgin, IL
– Enrollment: 89 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#16. Northridge Preparatory School
– Location: Niles, IL
– Enrollment: 362 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#15. Christian Heritage Academy
– Location: Northfield, IL
– Enrollment: 442 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#14. Elgin Academy
– Location: Elgin, IL
– Enrollment: 227 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#13. The Chicago Academy for the Arts
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 121 (2:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#12. Francis W. Parker School
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 935 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#11. Beacon Academy
– Location: Evanston, IL
– Enrollment: 155 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#10. Morgan Park Academy
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 490 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#9. Saint Ignatius College Prep
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 1,512 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#8. Lycée Français de Chicago
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 762 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
– Location: Lake Forest, IL
– Enrollment: 127 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. Latin School of Chicago
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 1,155 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#5. North Shore Country Day
– Location: Winnetka, IL
– Enrollment: 547 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Roycemore School
– Location: Evanston, IL
– Enrollment: 244 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. British International School of Chicago, South Loop
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 689 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
– Location: Chicago, IL
– Enrollment: 2,051 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Lake Forest Academy
– Location: Lake Forest, IL
– Enrollment: 445 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
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By Stacker
