2022 Best Private K-12 Schools in Illinois

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  131 reviews

Sophomore: I was a student at lab since preschool, and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The lower grades especially had something special about them. Elementary classes were based on projects and exploration, rather than rigid academics, which allowed me as a student to grow at my own pace. Middle school and high school were less special, but it remained a positive experience. Classes were challenging enough and there were a variety of more difficult options if we were advanced in a certain topic. One great thing about the upper grades are their clubs. Clubs and teams are open to anyone, no matter their skill. This allowed me to explore things I was interested in, without having the worry of tryouts or not being good enough. In my years at the school, I never experienced bullying, and rarely came across it with other students. That said my circle was a small and close-knit group, and that might not have been the experience of all.... Read 131 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  112 reviews

Middle School Student: At Latin there is an excellent academic program. The staff tries their best to make sure we succeed no matter what we are trying to do. You can choose almost any sport and the teachers will train you and help you grow. There is almost any club you can choose and if you don’t see one you like you can make your own. They are super organized and have been so prepared for any issues that come their way. In general Latin has given me an amazing experience and I definitely recommend!... Read 112 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Winnetka, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  69 reviews

Senior: North Shore is by no doubt an amazing school. While it is small and a bit sheltered, the school culture promotes independence and hard work in their students through rigorous courses and workloads. The school also requires its students to participate in the performing arts and athletics, which allows many students to be forced to develop their leadership skills and personality. MANY of the teachers are of high quality, compassionate, and care about developing relationships with their students. The humanities department is significantly more developed and better than that of STEM. STEM classes only prove to be worth it if it is an AP or required course. I wish North Shore would do better at is encouraging their students to take higher-level courses. The administration will usually discourage their students from taking AP classes based on their previous courses, and make it seem like the students aren't capable of taking all AP classes if they want to, nor do they even allow them to.... Read 69 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 525

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  54 reviews

Parent: Our two children have attended BISC since nursery and they are now in 7th and 5th. Our children have developed a true love of learning and they love going to school. The teachers are so impressive—they work hard to understand their students keep them engaged. The curriculum is so well thought out and prepares students for higher learning and beyond, from an academic and life perspective. They emphasize values from a young age and encourage leadership. All of this and they worked unbelievably hard to ensure they continued delivering high quality learning during the pandemic. So so impressive!... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 604

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  149 reviews

Parent: We could not be happier with our son's high school experience. His teachers were all very strong, personable and with the small class sizes were able to taylor teaching to the student. The head of school did an absolutely outstanding job opening school and keeping it open during the pandemic. She created detailed and safe reopening plans that became the best practice for other schools. Throughout the difficult year she remained focused, dedicated, creative and humble. The head of upper school has a vibrant personality and is absolutely loved by the upper school class. She is approachable and motivates the kids to be kind, work hard and be their best. I would recommend Roycemore in a heartbeat! Lastly, Roycemore is a tight knit community and the various events hold a special place in our hearts.... Read 149 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 244

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  60 reviews

Senior: I have had an awesome experience at Francis W Parker. Teachers at Parker are creative (and free to make their own curricula because of Parker's progressive philosophy) and teach students mind-blowing ideas, along with critical thinking skills. However, the unavoidable smallness of each class makes some students too comfortable with one another - everyone knows everything about everyone. Additionally, many reputations stick from middle school. Yet the education, especially in history and English classes, is great. Parker has, however, been trying to improve their STEM classes - they finally introduced higher-level math courses into middle school curricula, and now high schoolers must take computer programming/coding for at least one year. Recently, because the administration in the high school has been changing for around 5 years now, some students feel that they have less influence in school processes than they used to. Overall, though, definitely come to Parker!... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 935

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: It's a small school. Everyone knows each other. It's very much a community of foreigners in Chicago. However, there are Americans. Students always come out of my school as bilingual in French and English. I myself am and have also learned German. It's a great opportunity for all children. They have two programs once you reach high school: the IB program and the Bac program. Both are wonderful. My sister has graduated from the IB program and I will graduate from the Bac program later this year. However, this is a very small school. Don't come here if you're searching for the stereotypical high school experience with football and homecoming. I, however, have loved my school as I have gone here since I was three years old. The teachers are all very accommodating and will know you by name even years after teaching you. It's a very nice environment to grow up in. It can feel stifling at times with the small size. I recommend this school for the bilingual experience!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 790

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  120 reviews

Parent: I have 2 children at Morgan Park Academy in the Early Childhood program and we love it! My kids are engaged and challenged academically and are taught about kindness in a world that seems to have forgotten about it. I love that my children could sing and count in French, Spanish, and Mandarin from the age of 3. The teachers truly care about the students and work hard to make it a great learning environment. Morgan Park Academy is a small school but an awesome community.... Read 120 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 423

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Northfield, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  92 reviews

Parent: CHA’s Christ-centered culture, and its heart for Christ and for His Kingdom uniquely permeate all aspects of the community! The staff, faculty, administrators are earnestly seeking God and serving Him faithfully – they regard their work at CHA as a ministry that God have called them into, rather than just a daily job. They intentionally model Christ for the students in everything and in various ways. It’s so incredible and a tremendous blessing to have such kind of life-to-life discipleship taking place every day inside and outside of classrooms. Their Christ-like love, kindness, and care have touched and impacted many students and families, ourselves included.... Read 92 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 420

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Elgin, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  43 reviews

Parent: Our rising junior will be entering their 14th year at Elgin Academy, having attended since pre-K. That alone speaks volumes - we've offered our child the opportunity to change schools at lower school, middle school, and high school entrance points. There was no question he wanted to stay. Our child is happy, challenged, and displays growing confidence each year. EA sets the kids up for success by the ready accessibility of the teachers, the challenging curriculum, and approaching each student in a holistic manner. I was especially impressed with how my child's teachers were able to successfully pivot their curriculum to live-streaming during our first go-round with Covid-19 remote learning. They didn't miss a beat; classes were live, with instructors and students fully participating. The commitment of the Elgin Academy teachers and staff are evident across the board. If you're looking for a school that truly cares about your child and their success, check out EA!... Read 43 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 227

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Elgin, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  15 reviews

Alum: I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Einstein Academy. It was a great experience, and the community was always very welcoming and fun. I highly recommend this school to any family looking for a safe environment where their children will have all their needs met, whether social or academic. The teachers are very friendly and seem more like family. Whenever I or my peers had difficulty with a subject, the staff would always take time after school and give extra in-depth explanations. Also, classes are more than just taking notes, they are hands-on activities filled with laughter and excitement.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 89

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Rockford, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: Keith is the perfect setting for students wanting/needing an individualized education curriculum. While the rigor is that of a college preparatory school, the teachers are very supportive in assisting students meet the academic expectations. The emphasis on the arts from LS all the way through the US is quite awesome! The opportunities for growth and development in Art, Music, and Drama is introduced at the PreK level and continues on through LS, MS and US. Keith allows everyone the opportunity for and encourages participation in extracurriculars from sports to quiz bowl to robotics and even individualized clubs.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 286

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: Our daughter has been at GEMs for 5 years now. I am so impressed by this institution. The faculty, teachers, students, peers, mentors, and just the campus itself exceeds any expectation I could have had. We started our daughter in the 3s program, and I can truly say it has built a solid foundation for her during her early development years. GEMs has this amazing ability to look at the student as an individual, and really help build on the skills they are skillful at in order to help motivate and build confidence to exceed in other areas. We are so proud to see every day how much our daughter has learned, developed new life skills, excelled in different subjects, and has built her confidence! This community is like a little village, where you feel like your child is looked after and is becoming the best version of themself. It is truly special. We will be sending our younger daughter to GEMs starting this fall, and can’t wait to see what this education system will offer her!... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 440

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  38 reviews

Parent: My kids love going to school and as a parent, that is great! Family and friends (many with kids of their own) often remark on the character of my kids. I know CWS plays a huge role in their being such good citizens of the world, kind people, and critical thinkers.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Belleville, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: I have 2 daughters at Governor French Academy (ages 8 & 5). Both girls were enrolled at age 4, so we've been a part of the school for several years now. I can honestly say that we absolutely love & appreciate the faculty & curriculum at GFA! The teachers are focused on providing the best education possible & I can see the progress in my children's learning & progress. I highly recommend this school!... Read 68 reviews

• grade A

• Students 137

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Naperville, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  14 reviews

Parent: NCA has been utterly transformative in the lives of our children. Three of our children are NCA graduates and two more are on their ways. This is a place where our children have been loved, nurtured, guided, and also challenged. They have been immersed in great literature and have engaged in hundreds of hours of thoughtful discussion, wrestling with ideas that have shaped and influenced them in profound ways. In a culture that is increasingly at odds with our Judeo-Christian beliefs, our children have learned how to discern Truth from error and then winsomely and humbly defend it. These are skills that will last them a lifetime and for which we are most grateful. The good, the true, and the beautiful is truly a part of the DNA of this school!... Read 14 reviews

• grade A

• Students 128

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Schaumburg, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  74 reviews

Parent: I cannot say enough things about Schaumburg Christian School! My son is in Kindergarten and with the pandemic we decided to give this school a try because we did not want to do remote. WHAT A BLESSING THIS HAS BEEN! Everybody from the administration is amazing and very helpful. The teachers are GREAT! They are kind, patient and all around amazing. Our son loves school and I know it's all thanks to the teachers he is blossoming ! The kids are always busy and challenged. I recommend this school to everybody that asks. Thank you SCS for giving such a great introduction into Education to our son!... Read 74 reviews

• grade A

• Students 858

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Peoria, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Sophomore: Daarul Uloom has the perfect environment to help nurture the core values of Islam in students. The school is ahead of a year education-wise, so preschool gets first-grade education and the first grade gets second-grade education, and it goes on like this until eight grade. The high school is filled with opportunities like college courses.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 206

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Villa Park, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Despite the lack of variety regarding classes to choose/take, the teachers are EXPERTS!, the staff is very kind, and us high schoolers all get along well with each other. The classes are very well-taught and useful for future medical experts. The building is very big and has a mosque connected to it! Very religious school to top it off.... Read 44 reviews

• grade A

• Students 636

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Hinsdale, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  21 reviews

Senior: Hinsdale Adventist Academy is a Seventh-day Adventist pre-k to 12 school. Committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values. Where students are strengthened for the lives of purpose, service, and leadership. At this school, teachers provide the best academic learning for all students in a God loving atmosphere. Everyone will get in touch with each other and grow a connection with God. Hinsdale Adventist Academy is such a warm welcoming place, and will start to feel like a little family that you will never forget. There are many fun learning opportunities as well as any help that you may need. No one will ever feel out of place when you are constantly being surrounded by people who care and have a love for Jesus.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A

• Students 218

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Cary, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: We've been at this school for 10 years now and we absolutely love this school! Every teacher pours into their students both spiritually and academically. We could not ask for a better place for our family; we love our TOCA community!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 190

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Lombard, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  63 reviews

Alum: CPSA is great for high-achieving, self-motivated students. It has a good Islamic curriculum supplemented by teaching Arabic. The secular education is advanced for every grade and subject (with honors/AP courses), and challenges students. There are a good amount of extracurriculars. But most of the teachers and staff focus on the cream of the crop students and leave behind the average/below average students. Also, the school has a very competitive atmosphere, rewarding high achievers and inadvertently putting the other students down, not giving them enough time and importance. Not every student is a straight-A individual who easily scores well on standardized tests. But those who can are put on display, and the rest are not able to reach that level of success, at least not with the school. CPSA isn't for everyone-just for those who can succeed on their own and need limited guidance. The rest should probably go somewhere they can benefit from resources catered to all types of students.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A

• Students 413

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Bridgeview, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  85 reviews

Parent: Mashallah! I love Universal School. I have all my three children attended and graduated with honors, Bismillah. All three of my children were well prepared for college. Two are now Doctors and one is currently studying Computer Science, specializing in Animation and Artificial intelligence at IIT. I highly recommend Universal School for college and life preps. Ahamdulillah!... Read 85 reviews

• grade A

• Students 715

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Elmhurst, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  135 reviews

Senior: My experience at Timothy Christian has been a positive and encouraging one. The teachers at Timothy care a lot about their students, helping them when they are struggling as well as getting to know who they are as a person. Timothy has this strong community where the students push each other to grow in Christ and where everyone feels safe and welcomed even if they are new. They have so many opportunities to get involved whether that is sports, academic clubs, yearbook, robotics, or even business clubs. Overall Timothy Christian has helped me prepare for college and also prepare me for my life. They have shown support, love, kindness, and extreme community.... Read 135 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,260

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Hoffman Estates, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  24 reviews

Alum: I attended Valeo for 11 years. Valeo has taught me to get out of my comfort zone and do things I never would have imagined doing. I'm so grateful for a school where the teachers genuinely love and care for their students. When I was struggling, I was able to have one-on-ones with my teacher to help work through the problems. Valeo also gave me friendships built around the word of God. Valeo has prepared me for whatever I may face in the future with a strong Biblical foundation which will guide me during my life. Thank you Valeo!... Read 24 reviews

• grade A

• Students 104

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1