Cove School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked IL School
School Type: Special Education School
Grades: 2-12
Enrollment: 148 students
Yearly Tuition: $41,000
Acceptance rate: 80%
Average class size: 8 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

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

School Facts

School Type

Special Education School

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 2-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Cove School
2	1
3	4
4	3
5	8
6	17
7	18
8	20
9	23
10	18
11	18
12	18

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Learning Disabilities / Speech and Language Disabilities / Other Health Impaired (OHI) / Emotional Disabilities / Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Year Founded

1947

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

5 acres

School Motto

Changing Lives. Building Futures.

Student Body

Total Students

148 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

28%

State avg.: 34%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

56 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

3:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

8 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Number of AP Courses

15 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Other school association(s)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$41,000

View national tuition avg.

Acceptance Rate

80%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Mark Ditthardt

Sports

Total Sports Offered

1 sport

Sports

Basketball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

8 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Bowling ClubPom Squad

Robotics ClubSoccer Club

Arts and Music Programs:

Art ClubDance Club

Music ClubTheatre Club

School Notes

For over 70 years, The Cove School has educated students with learning disabilities and helped them build the self-confidence necessary to make a successful transition to their community schools or to make-post secondary choices.
The heart of Cove's educational philosophy is to design a program that emphasizes the student's skills.
The school designs an individual education plan -- a specific plan of action with built-in components for evaluating and measuring progress -- for each student.
Moreover, the plan is refined by close observation and continual assessment on a day-to-day basis.
Students with learning disabilities are successful at Cove because they learn through their strengths rather than being hobbled by emphasis on their weaknesses.

For over 70 years, The Cove School has educated students with learning disabilities and helped them build the self-confidence necessary to make a successful transition to their community schools or to make-post secondary choices. The heart of Cove's educational philosophy is to design a program that emphasizes the student's skills. The school designs an individual education plan -- a specific plan of action with built-in components for evaluating and measuring progress -- for each student. Moreover, the plan is refined by close observation and continual assessment on a day-to-day basis. Students with learning disabilities are successful at Cove because they learn through their strengths rather than being hobbled by emphasis on their weaknesses.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Dr. Alfred A. Strauss, Child Psychiatrist-Nevrologist -
- Dr. Laura Lehtinen Rogan, Educational Psychologist -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cove School cost?

Cove School's tuition is approximately $41,000 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Cove School?

The acceptance rate of Cove School is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 85%. Cove School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Illinois with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Cove School?

Cove School famous alumni include: Dr. Alfred A. Strauss, Child Psychiatrist-Nevrologist and Dr. Laura Lehtinen Rogan, Educational Psychologist.

Does Cove School offer a summer program?

Yes, Cove School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Cove School offer?

Cove School offers 1 interscholastic sports: Basketball.

What is Cove School's ranking?

Cove School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Lowest average acceptance rates and Most AP courses offered.

When is the application deadline for Cove School?

The application deadline for Cove 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 $13,410 for elementary schools and $19,515 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).