2023 Best Schools in West Chicago

• Aurora, IL•

• Public School•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  361 reviews

Senior: IMSA is a fantastic school for students who want to take their education to the next level. The diversity and academics are excellent, and the shared culture between the students is incredible. That being said, the high workload causes many students to encounter mental health challenges. Lack of proper nutrition, hygiene, and sleep are more common at this high school than at others. Most students get an average of 3-4 hours of homework per day, which can be difficult to balance with mental health, clubs, and other commitments. There is a club for practically every interest a student could have, and there is always something to do on campus. The residential environment allows for deeper connections with peers and establishes lifelong relationships. The biggest issue at IMSA is the administration, which routinely makes questionable decisions that clearly do not consider student input. Overall, IMSA is one of a kind, and the positives of the school definitely outweigh the negatives.... Read 361 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 629

• Student-teacher ratio —

• 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

• Lisle, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  279 reviews

Senior: I love Benet! It is a place that is focused on academics and athletics, but it is also a place full of awesome people and teachers who genuinely care about the students. While the work load can be overwhelming and sometimes very stressful, it is honestly a place that follows the rule "work hard play hard". For every hard or challenging part that Benet has to offer, there is 5 more extracurricular activities or clubs to enjoy yourself in. I honestly have really loved having such a tight knit community of hard working and fun-loving people. Go Redwings baby :D... Read 279 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,357

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Wheaton, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  129 reviews

Parent: As a new Freshman parent I've been continually impressed with each interaction with St. Francis. The onboarding process is organized and informative, not only for the Freshman students, but the parents as well. All of the junior high events they offer students and parents to learn about what St. Francis offers are exceptional. The parent information session was a game changer. Hearing from staff AND students was great. Hearing about all of the great elective classes that neighboring Catholic High Schools do NOT offer, was also an eye opener. The feeling you get when you arrive at St. Francis is awesome. The community feeling is contagious. Everyone is happy. Father John is such an incredible asset to the school! The academics are challenging which is what we want! The athletics and coaching are top notch and we can't wait to switch back to the Chicago Catholic League next year as St. Francis continually outperforms its current competition. A+ for Faith, Academics, Athletics & Family!... Read 129 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 698

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Naperville, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  17 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 17 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 128

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• St. Charles Community Unit School District No. 303, IL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: Exiting wredling middle, i believe that it is a good school but it does have flaws. For starters, there really isn't much diversity. With that being said, clubs are very fun and there is adequate security with a officer there with the students. Depression and anxiety thrives in wredling middle school, whether it be by extreme hall crowding that caused me panic attacks. Going through a deep depression there sucked horribly because i couldn't harm on the outside for fear of someone reporting me to student services so i just suffered internally. Overall, it is school and you can take that however you like.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,421

• Student-teacher ratio —

• St. Charles Community Unit School District No. 303, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  538 reviews

Freshman: I've had SO much fun at this school! Majority of the students are kind, fun-loving, and full of energy. Almost every teacher I've had has been amazing, engaging, and many of them have gotten me interested in subjects that I hated before being in their classes. Everyone I've met here, including the staff, is super nice, but there are a few teachers who haven't been very helpful in their subjects. The student life here is also great! Being a part of athletics is a big commitment, but it's a ton of fun, a good way to meet people, and the coaches are awesome. Attending sporting events, especially the activities during homecoming week, even when you're not an athlete are also a great way to spend time and meet people. There are lots of clubs and organizations for people to join in which the kids within them become extremely close with each other and the teachers. Overall, attending STCE has been my favorite thing I've ever done.... Read 538 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,310

• Student-teacher ratio —

• West Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  174 reviews

Senior: Wheaton Academy is a great place to connect with strong mentors. The teachers are absolutely amazing and pour into each and everyone of their students. However, there is a lack of diversity, not only racially but economically as well. A big fault is creating a safe environment for students that are not apart of the upper class. Many students do not know what it is like to experience finical difficulties and I feel teachers fail to work that into curriculum. There is also a rumor going around that if you receive financial aid you are not allowed on student council. While this may not be true, teaches and administrators have failed to address it. Over all my WA experience had been very productive. I have gained life long friends with teachers and peers and I have felt cared for my individual teachers. I would recommend an education from Wheaton Academy!... Read 174 reviews

• grade A

• Students 658

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Aurora, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  119 reviews

Niche User: Marmion Academy is a great college prep christian high school. Our three sons have had wonderful christian experiences at Marmion Academy. The religious aspect of their education was outstanding, and still plays a, all three, day to day part of their everyday lives. They were quite ready for college, and all three did very well. They have done very well in their professional lives, are raising beautiful families, and have become valuable members of society. We are very proud of them, and extremely happy with their Marmion Academy experiences.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A

• Students 510

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• St. Charles Community Unit School District No. 303, IL•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 455

• Student-teacher ratio —

• St. Charles Community Unit School District No. 303, IL•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 557

• Student-teacher ratio —

• School District U-46, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  552 reviews

Junior: Bartlett High School is an amazing place, especially for a high school. It's a moderately large school, so therefore has a lot of different programs, clubs, and activities for all interests. The classes are similarly broad, with a wide array of AP, honors, and regular classes, on everything from photography to calculus to the basics of automobiles. The teachers are excellent, and the general school culture is calm and quite friendly. There are regular football players, band nerds, D&D playing math club members, and for the most part, kids get along. Lastly, while, again, BHS has something for everyone, it has some activities that it is especially known for and that are quite outstanding--it has an accomplished band, a STEM academy (including robotics lab), and finally, a wondrous library, as well as a yearly library/creative writing open mic (involving students, teachers, and professional authors) in the auditorium. BHS is a wonderful school; I would highly recommend it to anyone.... Read 552 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,238

• Student-teacher ratio —

• 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 633

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Hoffman Estates, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  23 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 23 reviews

• grade A

• Students 104

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• West Chicago, IL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  219 reviews

Senior: The culture at WeGo is fantastic; the ethnic diversity allows for interaction between students of all cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, and it's a large part of the reason that the school as a whole is tight-knit. The AP programs are top-notch and teachers, as a whole, are more than happy to help students, as long as they arrange for help ahead of time in a mature manner. There's an emphasis on the sciences and math, as the school keeps with the times, but, in my experiences, the Humanities and English departments comprise the most comprehensive curriculum in the school, as they concern themselves more with skills, such as abstract thought and learning in context, than they do with solely memorizing content set out by College Board. As for sports, the programs as a whole aren't very good, but the boy's soccer team recently took home the state championship at the 3A level.... Read 219 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,055

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Elgin, IL•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A minus

• Students 324

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Aurora, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  97 reviews

Senior: As a student you search for a place that you feel like you can belong, a place of security and a place where you will be able to thrive. Aurora Christian Schools has been exactly that for me, I transfered to this private school at the start of my junior year. This school has allowed me to grow in my confidence and given me the opportunity to find my identity. I have fallen in love with the teachers and their passion for their subjects as they desire for us to learn to our best abilities. Aurora Christian has provided me with so much and I am beyond grateful for the lasting impact they will have on my future. I highly urge parents to consider this school as an option for their student as they begin to be shape and molded into a young adult. Thank you Aurora Christian for the memories, education, community and support!... Read 97 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 690

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• School District U-46, IL•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• Students 754

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Aurora, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: I’ve had an amazing four years here! ACC has provided me with the help and support I need to advance my knowledge and experiences for the future. The support system here is amazing. The faculty and staff work tirelessly to help and challenge students. I believe this is why our community is filled with hardworking and respectable individuals. Athletics and extra curricular are also important to the student body. The clubs and teams are very inclusive as well as competitive. A couple things that I love about ACC personally do the block schedule as well as the small class sizes. I’ve had an amazing time making memories for four years here and I’m glad to call ACC a home away from home!... Read 152 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Elgin, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  101 reviews

Junior: St. Edward Central Catholic High School is a good school overall. Teachers here care more about your education than teachers in public schools because there are less students. Overall, St. Edwards is a close knitted community consisting of people who care about their students’ education. Despite that, there are downsides of this school. This school isn’t as diverse as I’d like it to be, and truth be told, diversity is a fundamental factor in a child’s education and how they turn out. Apart from that, I think despite how advanced our school is to public school, it offers less opportunities than public schools sometimes. Many people talk about all these various programs, classes, and extra school curriculares that public schools have to offer. Our school does not have a lot of these, and it’s mainly because our school is not funded by the government. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on some of these opportunities.... Read 101 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 385

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Mooseheart, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  23 reviews

Alum: As a Mooseheart Grad, I will say this is the best place to grow up if you come from any situation that was unsafe or unstable. The teachers really care about you, and go the extra mile, even after you graduate. It's more than a school, its really a family. I also love how diverse it is, and how everyone is treated equally. Living with your classmates forces us all from different backgrounds to learn to appreciate our differences which is a great thing!... Read 23 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 118

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• School District U-46, IL•

• K-6

• grade B

• Students 320

• Student-teacher ratio —

• West Chicago Elementary School District No. 33, IL•

• K-5

• grade B minus

• Students 271

• Student-teacher ratio —

• School District U-46, IL•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 2.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: I've had some pretty great experiences with this school. The teachers have been kind and friendly. They will call and/or email me regularly so that I know what is going on with my child.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 425

• Student-teacher ratio —

• West Chicago Elementary School District No. 33, IL•

• K-5

• grade C+

• Students 332

• Student-teacher ratio —