For the 2025-26 school year, there are 6 private preschools serving 1,644 students in Lake Forest, IL.
The top ranked private preschools in Lake Forest, IL include Lake Forest Country Day School, East Lake Academy, and School Of St. Mary.
The average acceptance rate is 77%, which is lower than the Illinois private preschool average acceptance rate of 86%.
50% of private preschools in Lake Forest, IL are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
Top Ranked Lake Forest Private Preschools (2025-26)
School
Location
Quick Facts
13911 W. Laurel Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 247-0035
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 247-0035
Gr: PK-8 | 128 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 14 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
145 S. Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-2350
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-2350
Gr: NS-8 | 406 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
School Of St. Mary![School Of St. Mary Photo School Of St. Mary Photo]()

(Catholic)
185 E Illinois Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 283-9800
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 283-9800
Gr: PK-8 | 425 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School Of St. Mary Upper Grade Center
(Catholic)
900 W Everett Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-0371
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-0371
Gr: PK-8 | 470 students Tuition listed
Dearhaven Childcare & Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
1100 N Westmoreland Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 535-6175
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 535-6175
Gr: PK-K | 37 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Montessori School Of Lake Forest![Montessori School Of Lake Forest Photo - Our main West Laurel Drive campus is on over five acres of prairie adjacent to the Middlefork Savanna County Forest Preserve. Montessori School Of Lake Forest Photo - Our main West Laurel Drive campus is on over five acres of prairie adjacent to the Middlefork Savanna County Forest Preserve.]()

Montessori School
13700 W Laurel Dr
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 918-1000
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 918-1000
Gr: PK-8 | 178 students Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private preschools in Lake Forest, IL?
The top ranked private preschools in Lake Forest, IL include Lake Forest Country Day School, East Lake Academy, and School Of St. Mary.
How many private preschools are located in Lake Forest?
6 private preschools are located in Lake Forest.
How diverse are private preschools in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest private preschools are approximately 10% minority students, which is lower than the Illinois private school average of 33%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Lake Forest?
50% of private preschools in Lake Forest are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
Which private preschools in Lake Forest are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private preschools in Lake Forest include: Dearhaven Childcare & Learning Center vs. Montessori School Of Lake Forest, Dearhaven Childcare & Learning Center vs. School Of St. Mary, School Of St. Mary Upper Grade Center vs. School Of St. Mary
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