Private School Review - Established 2003
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Best Illinois Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 1,625 private schools serving 251,321 students in Illinois, versus 4,382 public schools serving 1,841,658 students (12% of K-12 students attend private schools, vs. national average 10%).
The average private school tuition is $10,904 for elementary schools and $15,812 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
54% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 1625
  • # Students Served: 251,321
  • Average Tuition: $12,436
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 34%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 16 students
  • % Students of Color: 34%
  • View Illinois School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 1625
  • # Students Served: 251,321
  • Average Tuition: $12,436
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 34%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 16 students
  • % Students of Color: 34%
  • View Illinois School Trends

Top Ranked Illinois Private Schools (2026-27)

The Avery Coonley School Photo
The Avery Coonley School
Gr: PK-8 | 332 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 4 | Extracurriculars: 14
1400 Maple Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 969-0800
(7)
View Profile
Baker Demonstration School Photo
Baker Demonstration School
Gr: NS-8 | 209 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 6 | Extracurriculars: 15
201 Sheridan Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 425-5800
(6)
View Profile
Catherine Cook School Photo
Catherine Cook School
Gr: NS-8 | 422 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 8 | Extracurriculars: 4
226 W Schiller St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 266-3381
(13)
View Profile
The Chicago Academy For The Arts Photo
The Chicago Academy For The Arts
Gr: 9-12 | 102 students
Avg. class size: 10 students
Extracurriculars: 9
Specialized Curriculum
1010 W Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 421-0202
(8)
View Profile
Chicago City Day School Photo
Chicago City Day School
Gr: PK-8
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 7
541 W Hawthorne Pl
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 327-0900
(5)
View Profile
The Goddard School Third Lake Photo
The Goddard School Third Lake
Gr: PK-K | 266 students
Daycare / Preschool
34638 North Highway 45
Grayslake, IL 60030
(847) 543-9075
View Profile
Holy Family School Photo
Holy Family School
Gr: PK-8 | 301 students
Avg. class size: 21 students
Sports: 4 | Extracurriculars: 11
Other Lutheran
3415 W. Arthington
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-0550
(1)
View Profile
Illinois Lutheran High School Photo
Illinois Lutheran High School
Gr: PK-12 | 258 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 8 | Extracurriculars: 12
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
1610 Main St
Crete, IL 60417
(708) 672-3262
(5)
View Profile
Morgan Park Academy Photo
Morgan Park Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 475 students
Avg. class size: 17 students
Sports: 8
2153 W 111th St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 881-6700
View Profile
Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School Photo
Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
Gr: 4-12 | 111 students
Avg. class size: 10 students
Extracurriculars: 20
Special Education School
6245 S. Ingleside Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 420-2900
(5)
View Profile
Show 10 more private schools in Illinois (out of 1,625 total schools)
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Illinois Private School Trends (10-Year)

1,625
Private Schools
-12.2% (-226 schools) 10-yr
251,321
Students
-14.7% (-43,217 students) 10-yr
$12,436
Avg. Tuition
+77.6% (+$5,433) 10-yr
16
Avg. Class Size
-5.9% (-1 student) 10-yr
34%
Students of Color
-2.9% (-1.0 pp) 10-yr
13:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
-7.1% (-1.0) 10-yr
Enrollment & Diversity
Category
This State (IL)
US
# Schools
1,625 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

Year(IL) Total Schools
20251,626
20241,696
20231,633
20221,575
20211,660
20201,760
20191,742
20181,778
20171,693
20161,736
20151,851
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# Students
251,321 Students
5,690,765 Students

View Largest Illinois Private Schools

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
2025166179
2024162172
2023171174
2022178185
2021174180
2020168171
2019174175
2018171172
2017177180
2016175178
2015168167
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% Average Students of Color
34%
34%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202534%34%
202434%34%
202334%33%
202234%33%
202134%32%
202035%32%
201933%31%
201833%31%
201734%32%
201634%32%
201535%32%
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Student By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends

GradeIllinois
Nursey4,213
Pre-K45,496
Kind21,774
115,059
214,533
314,380
414,273
516,613
614,277
714,173
815,897
913,552
1013,826
1113,387
1213,201
Not Listed6,667
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Academics
# Teachers
18,870 Teachers
508,570 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202513:111:1
202413:111:1
202313:111:1
202213:111:1
202113:111:1
202013:112:1
201913:112:1
201814:112:1
201714:112:1
201614:112:1
201514:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
53%
55%

View Illinois Private Schools with the Most Educated Faculty

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202553%55%
202452%54%
202350%54%
202251%54%
202150%54%
202050%54%
201950%53%
201849%53%
201748%53%
201649%52%
201550%52%
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Average Class Size
16 students
15 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
20251615
20241715
20231715
20221715
20211715
20201715
20191715
20181715
20171715
20161715
20151715
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Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses

View Illinois Private Schools Offering the Most AP Courses

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
20251113
2024912
2023911
2022911
2021911
2020911
2019811
2018811
2017810
2016910
2015910
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Average SAT score
1259
(Out of 1600)
1234

View Average Private School SAT Scores in Illinois

SAT Score Trends (2019-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202512581233
202412601230
202312451228
202212421229
202112521229
202012461226
201912391226
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Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26

View Average Private School ACT Scores in Illinois

ACT Score Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
20252526
20242526
20232526
20222526
20212526
20202525
20192525
20182525
20172525
20162425
20152425
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Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,436
$14,943

View Illinois Private Schools By Tuition Cost

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
2025$12,671$15,012
2024$9,594$13,254
2023$8,924$12,626
2022$8,609$12,187
2021$8,334$11,800
2020$8,312$11,512
2019$8,068$11,293
2018$7,898$11,017
2017$7,863$10,708
2016$7,289$10,356
2015$7,003$9,939
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Average Summer Program Cost
$961
$1,154

Summer Program Cost Trends (2019-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
2025$943$1,152
2024$947$1,128
2023$1,009$1,156
2022$1,138$1,102
2021$672$1,125
2020$667$1,217
2019$687$1,305
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Average % on Financial Aid
34%
35%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202534%34%
202433%34%
202333%34%
202232%33%
202131%33%
202032%32%
201931%31%
201830%30%
201729%30%
201629%29%
201528%28%
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Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,403
$7,261

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
2025$3,868$7,073
2024$3,415$6,930
2023$2,426$6,469
2022$2,492$6,289
2021$2,514$6,055
2020$2,509$5,921
2019$2,541$5,795
2018$2,466$5,456
2017$2,525$5,319
2016$2,614$5,105
2015$2,666$5,030
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Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%

View Most Selective Private Schools in Illinois

Acceptance Rate Trends (2015-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202584%81%
202490%85%
202391%85%
202291%85%
202191%85%
202091%85%
201990%85%
201890%85%
201790%85%
201692%85%
201592%85%
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Average Endowment Size
$31.52 million
$38.23 million

View Average Private School endowment in Illinois

Endowment Trends (2024-2025)

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
2025$34 M$39 M
2024$14 M$39 M
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Students by Ethnicity
0.66
0.65

View Illinois Private Schools Minority Statistics

Diversity Score Trends

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
20250.660.65
20240.660.65
20230.660.65
20220.650.64
20210.650.64
20200.660.64
20190.650.63
20180.650.63
20170.620.61
20160.620.61
20150.630.61
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# American Indian Students
605 Students
29,815 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
10,480 Students
264,585 Students
% Asian Students
4%
5%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
20255%5%
20245%5%
20235%5%
20224%4%
20215%4%
20204%4%
20194%4%
20185%4%
20174%4%
20163%4%
20154%4%
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# Hispanic Students
25,032 Students
506,702 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
9%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202510%9%
202410%9%
202310%9%
202210%8%
202110%9%
202010%9%
20199%8%
20189%8%
20179%8%
20169%8%
20159%8%
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# Black Students
21,046 Students
415,632 Students
% Black Students
9%
7%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
20258%7%
20248%7%
20238%8%
20228%7%
20218%7%
20209%8%
20199%7%
20189%7%
20179%7%
20169%7%
20159%8%
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# White Students
128,859 Students
2,929,926 Students
% White Students
51%
52%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202551%52%
202451%52%
202351%52%
202253%54%
202152%54%
202052%54%
201953%56%
201853%56%
201756%58%
201656%58%
201555%58%
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# Hawaiian Students
338 Students
20,065 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
65,474 Students
1,473,602 Students
% of Others Students
26%
26%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearIllinois (IL) AvgNational
202526%26%
202426%26%
202326%25%
202225%25%
202125%25%
202025%24%
201925%24%
201824%23%
201722%22%
201623%22%
201523%21%
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All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars & Sports
Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked private schools in Illinois include Loyola Academy, Lake Forest Academy, and The Avery Coonley School.
How many private schools are located in Illinois?
There are 1,625 private schools are located in Illinois.
How much do private schools cost in Illinois?
The average private school tuition in Illinois is $10,904 for elementary schools and $15,812 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Illinois?
Approximately 34% of students in Illinois private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Illinois go to private school?
12% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Illinois?
54% of private schools in Illinois are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in Illinois are often viewed compared to one another?

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