2024 Best Private Schools in the Chicago Area

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  83 reviews

Parent: Our son completed his freshman year and is now a sophomore. LFA is a nice balance of day students and boarders with a strong array of academics, sports, arts and music, clubs and activities. As a freshman, our son went on a service trip to Guatemala. He is looking forward to another service trip this upcoming year. One of the things which distinguishes the school is that the faculty and school are an integral part of the community; different then the "town and gown" challenges that other schools confront. We are pleased with the support, the opportunities and the education, he is receiving.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 445

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  140 reviews

Alum: The school is what you make of it. There are a lot of amazing teachers with a passion for their material, but if you don't make any effort to learn then you're not going to get much. I started coming during 8th grade and I think this was great timing. I wouldn't have been able to come before for a mixture of financial, mental, and academic reasons. It gave me time to transition into high school and meet new people, although I'd say I found my core group more near the end of sophomore year. It has a reputation as a 'professor's kid daycare' school but that's not fully accurate. The majority of kids are children of UChicago or Lab employees, but they have a diverse pool of jobs and aren't generally that preppy.... Read 140 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  61 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 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 689

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  155 reviews

Parent: Our family came to Roycemore in 8th grade from another independent school in the Chicagoland area. We chose Roycemore because of the small, individual attention each student receives. When my daughter started Roycemore she was quiet and lacked confidence and it made it difficult for her to connect with both her peers and teachers. Once she started at Roycemore she was making friends and building relationships with teachers. My daughter is now an upper school student at Roycemore. She is involved in the yearbook, student government, plays a sport and is involved in numerous other clubs and activities. She has blossomed into a confident, intelligent young person with a bright future and I credit this confidence and growth to the nurturing environment Roycemore offers. She has found her voice and a love for learning. We are so grateful to be a part of the Roycemore community!... Read 155 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 244

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Winnetka, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  86 reviews

Parent: Our kids have been in the lower, middle, and upper schools at NSCD and we feel incredibly lucky. They are very different kids but both have thrived there. The opportunity to do everything--academics, sports, arts--really helped them grow and broaden their interests. The high school in particular is a hidden gem on the North Shore. The level of individual attention our kids got was remarkable and so different from what we hear about at other local high schools. The combo of small classes and hands-on learning is incredibly impactful. Our current college student found her freshman year to be a breeze because of her academic preparation! College counseling program is amazing and college outcomes strong. Also, the ability to play athletics at a high level all through high school was fabulous. The school doesn't offer every sport you might think of, but the chance to play multiple sports for four years rather than getting cut early on was important to us. Top to bottom a great experience.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 547

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  114 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 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: Our parental expectations of this school have been exceeded time and time again. From the new leadership, to the faculty, to the support staff - all employees have been extremely professional and very competent. The beautiful campus provides our daughter a wonderful learning environment. The education is deep and challenging but the girls are supported so they rise to the level of the intellectual rigor. The school is small and students are coming from all corners of the city, country and planet so the friendships are very unique but meaningful - No pre-formed cliques! The Sacred Heart network cast a wide web internationally so the connections are broad. This educational experience is robust.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  20 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 20 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 746

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  388 reviews

Senior: Diversity has definitely improved since my freshmen year. The school has become more inclusive towards minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. Academics are tough. How hard your class is doesn’t depend on the level of class you take (Honors, AP) but the teacher you have. Some teachers give loads of homework and tests, and some don’t give any homework. Be prepared for a lot of homework. Ignatius prepares you well for college. Teachers are a hit or miss. There are amazing teachers but also some horrible ones. I have never had a good math teacher. Food is way too expensive and unhealthy but it tastes great most of the time. Ignatius needs to build more bathrooms and expand the cafeteria because they accepted way too many students. Overall, Ignatius has many ways it can improve on, but It has given me so many resources and opportunities to become a better student and person. I wouldn’t have chosen any other school!... Read 388 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,512

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  130 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 130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 490

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  25 reviews

Parent: I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard there was a Montessori inspired high school. The more I learn, I realize that Montessori goes hand-in-hand with International Baccalaureate and Real-life Experiential Learning. The students have a lot of choice in their course selection, and within courses the students who have a burning desire to dive deeper are given that runway. My teen happens to be fairly aggressive in her academic pursuits, and she's thriving at Beacon. What I love, though, is that every student is invited to express the best version of themselves. Honestly the students are thriving because their teachers are amazing - they bring creativity, joy, authenticity AND rigor to the classroom. Thank you Beacon for recruiting, hiring, and retaining excellent teachers. I haven't seen anything like Beacon and wholeheartedly I support this model of educating students.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: As a former black student at Parker, I’ll try an give as unbiased a review as possible. My experience was from 7th grade until sophomore year between the years of 2002-2006. I was fortunate enough to have had the experience of going to a public, private, military, and reform school, so I believe I can say with some accuracy, which school gave me the best education, best connections, and best overall experience, and that was Parker. The access, the small class sizes, the teachers, and the curriculum are all stellar. You essentially get what you pay for as most students who graduate are well rounded, well adjusted, and are given the tools to think critically and contextualize most, if not all situations. With that being said, Parker has always had, and will probably always have an issue garnering more POC and black students into its community. This has mainly to do with the cost of tuition. Ultimately, even with this being the case, Parker is worth it and will give your child a leg up.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 935

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  111 reviews

Works Here: The incredible community at the Chicago Academy for the Arts is unlike anything you will find at another school. Teachers, Administrators, and parents work closely together in the best interest of our amazing students. Through our small-by-design and co-curricular program, students are given the time and the space to figure out who they are and what they are capable of and they thrive at school, both artistically and academically. As a faculty member working within this intimate and collaborative environment, I feel supported and known. The Academy is a wonderful place to be for so many reasons!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 121

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• 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

• Northfield, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  106 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 106 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 442

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Niles, IL•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: Northridge Preparatory School is the best place to challenge yourself academically while also strengthening your faith. What makes Northridge unique is that an all-male faculty teaches the all-male student population, which creates a lively and amiable environment. The strong comradery makes the school day fly by. There is never a day where I leave the building feeling happy. The teachers not only encourage me to be academically sound, but also to be a man of intellect who loves God. The advising program is unparalleled. My advisor taught me about giving thanks for every accomplishment and dedicating certain tasks throughout my day to someone I love. Northridge Prep has taught me how to succeed in college, to be the prominent male figure in the family nucleus, and to be an ambassador of Jesus' teachings. I would, without a doubt, implore every single young man in America to attend Northridge Prep if he could.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 362

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Elgin, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  15 reviews

Parent: This school is exactly what gifted students need. Students are able (and encouraged) to work up to their own individual potential, always above grade level. When students leave Einstein to attend public school or pursue college, they are more than well-equipped to handle the academics they will encounter. Sports? We're talking about gifted kids here. Yes, some are also talented in various sports, but the primary focus of this school is on well-rounded academics... not having star athletes.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 89

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Deerfield, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  51 reviews

Niche User: Amazing school! Both of my siblings attended this high school and received great well rounded educations. There is a strong sense of community! Leadership is encouraged throughout many school aspects, which helps students build their resumes early and be prepared for college!... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 185

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.7 out of 5  53 reviews

Parent: Our family loves the focus on learning by doing at Bennett. Students and teachers are always working together in project-based learning, and they are being prepared for the real world from a young age through their natural curiosity. Bennett has a great 'best of' approach with a Singapore-based math program focused on depth and mastery to complement the Reggio Emilia approach, which inspires the collaborative learning environment. There is a grading and assessment system in middle and upper school in particular that focuses on developing competencies with deep feedback about student mastery that converts to letter grades for college, but is much more comprehensive with detailed feedback vs traditional letter grades. The upper school students score well above national averages on standardized tests, and on national benchmarked surveys, where students nationally say school makes them feel tired, bored, and stressed, tstudents at Bennett say they are excited, engaged, and love school!... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 353

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Skokie, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  61 reviews

Parent: We put three kids through ICJA . The outstanding teachers and supportive school culture makes this school the best Modern Orthodox Jewish High School in Chicagoland, if not the country! It is a warm and welcoming environment for students with diverse backgrounds and interests. There's a great track record on college placements. Even if you're not sure - call and take a tour. It will be an "eye-opening" experience.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 220

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.84 out of 5  25 reviews

Parent: Wolcott College Prep was an excellent school for our family. Our daughter was totally engaged in what she was learning -- with that came a better academic experience, a greater interest in extra-curriculars, increased self-confidence, and a happier child!... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 150

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Naperville, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  18 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 18 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 128

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Wilmette, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  311 reviews

Senior: Loyola Academy is a great school as long as you can foot the bill and desire Jesuit values in education. Loyola’s strengths are its athletics and college readiness. Athletics are a huge part of the culture at Loyola. Most students participate in at least one sport during their time here. There is a wide variety of sports to choose from and most a “no cut” freshman year which allows all to participate. Students also get a helping hand through their college process during all the steps. No matter the student, Loyola will find a college for them. Loyola does have some drawbacks. While it is getting better, because of the steep tuition and location, diversity is low. The music and arts are also neglected in favor in sports. They are underfunded and not many kids participate. A new theater is being built, so in the future, the program might have more life in it. Overall though, Loyola is a great school as long as you can pay the steep tuition. Go Ramblers!... Read 311 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,000

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Oak Park, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  201 reviews

Sophomore: I have had two students graduate from Fenwick and have an incoming sophomore there. Fenwick is a fantastic school with a great community of parents, teachers and students. We have been so happy we chose Fenwick to help our children grow and mature not only academically but spiritually. The bonds my children have built with their classmates are outstanding -- well after they've graduated, my children maintained their Fenwick friendships. I also found the extracurricular experience -- from fine arts/musicals to all sorts of sports activities to be wonderful. The coaches and extracurricular sponsors are committed to helping the students achieve and be great teammates to each other. My children have also been challenged academically in a good way and both of my graduates were accepted to their first choice colleges -- Notre Dame and USC. We are thrilled with our Fenwick experience.... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,197

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Wilmette, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  217 reviews

Parent: We are strong supporters of Regina. We have a junior now and an incoming freshman. It's a strong school with an outstanding student-teacher ratio. Our daughter is a very high academic achiever and she is challenged and thriving. We have found the administration and teachers to be very supportive. Regina places a very high premium on leadership development for the girls. That was a strong selling point for us. They have helped our daughter come out of her shell and she has had terrific leadership opportunities. Finally, the school has a major capital campaign that has refreshed and improved the facilities. Phase I will be open this Spring. Everyone is very excited about it!... Read 217 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 258

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1