American School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked IL School
School Type: Alternative School
Grades: 6-12
Enrollment: 6,319 students
Yearly Tuition: $4,800
Acceptance rate: 100%
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

American School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:

School Facts

School Type

Alternative School

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
National Council for Private School Accreditation
Accreditation International

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 6-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	American School
6	87
7	87
8	88
9	449
10	449
11	449
12	449
Ungraded	4,261

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1897

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

6,319 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

41%

State avg.: 34%

Academics & Faculty

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP English Literature and Composition

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$4,800

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition ranges from $225 for individual subjects to $3600 for complete middle school programs and $4800 for complete high school diploma programs. Tuition includes study materials, grading, access to the online student center and much more. Monthly payment plans are available for students in full-year or full diploma programs.

Acceptance Rate

100%

National avg.: 82%

Application URL

Online Application

School Notes

American School offers accredited courses in grades 6-12.
Choose from full-year or full diploma programs, or take individual subjects for credit recovery or enrichment.
American School is accredited by MSA-CESS, Ai and NCPSA, recognized by the state of Illinois, and has been a leader in distance education since 1897.

American School offers accredited courses in grades 6-12.
Choose from full-year or full diploma programs, or take individual subjects for credit recovery or enrichment.
American School is accredited by MSA-CESS, Ai and NCPSA, recognized by the state of Illinois, and has been a leader in distance education since 1897.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Christopher Paolini - Chris has taken millions of readers into fabulous fantasy worlds in his novels Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance. Chris’ books regularly appear on top of the best seller lists, and Eragon was adapted into a full-length motion picture in 2006.
- Andre Agassi - Andre is one of greatest American tennis players of all-time. He is one of only five men to have won all four Grand Slam events-the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. His 60 tournament titles include eight Grand Slam triumphs in all, and in 1996 he added an Olympic gold medal to his trophy case.
- Sho Yano - Sho earned his high school diploma from American School at age 9. Three years later, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago and enrolled in a dual Ph.D. and M.D. medical scientist program. In 2009, at age 18, he earned a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and cell biology from the University of Chicago. In 2012, at age 21, he became the youngest person to receive an M.D. degree from the University of Chicago. He is currently a resident in pediatric neurology.
- The Osmond Family - Donny and Marie Osmond teamed up for hit television shows in the 1970s and 1990s in between crafting successful careers as solo performers. Donny hit #1 in the 1970s with “Go Away Little Girl” and has had numerous top 10 records in the decades following. He reinvented himself in the 1990s and began a six-year run in the title role of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” that played to sold out theaters across the United States and Canada. More recently, he was runner-up in the first season of “The Masked Singer”. Marie became the first female country artist to debut with a #1 record when “Paper Roses” reached the summit in 1973. That song helped her earn a gold record and Grammy nomination the following year. More recently, she has appeared in many television movies, starred on Broadway in “The King and I” and was co-host of “The Talk”. In their five-decade career, the Osmond Brothers have sold out more shows than the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Pop, rock and country hits-including the chart-topper “One Bad Apple”-have helped Allan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy garner several gold and platinum records and a People’s Choice Award.
- Bethany Hamilton - Bethany is one of the top surfers in the world despite losing her left arm in a shark attack in 2003. Her autobiography Soul Surfer was adapted into a motion picture in 2011, and she and her husband appeared on CBS’s The Amazing Race in Fall 2014.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does American School cost?

American School's tuition is approximately $4,800 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of American School?

The acceptance rate of American School is 100%, which is higher than the national average of 85%.

Who are famous alumni from American School?

American School famous alumni include: Christopher Paolini, Andre Agassi, Sho Yano, The Osmond Family and Bethany Hamilton.

What is American School's ranking?

American School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Largest student body and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for American School?

The application deadline for American School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Cook County, IL is $13,626 for elementary schools and $19,847 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Cook County, IL is 83% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).