Chiaravalle Montessori Photo - Opening the North Wing in September 2015, Chiaravalle became the first LEED Platinum Montessori school addition in the US and the first LEED Platinum independent school addition in Illinois.

Top 20 Best Illinois Private Schools Belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 44 private schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) serving 14,785 students in Illinois. You can also find more schools membership associations in Illinois.
The top ranked private schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Illinois include Lake Forest Academy, The Avery Coonley School, and The Latin School Of Chicago.
The average tuition cost is $28,613, which is higher than the Illinois private school average tuition cost of $12,686.
18% of private schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Illinois are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top Ranked Private Schools Belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Illinois (2025)

School
Location
Grades
Students
The Avery Coonley School
The Avery Coonley School Photo - 'Gathering' is a tradition at ACS where students in Groups 1-8, faculty, and staff come together as a community to participate in various activities such as watching a performance, interacting with a presentation, and more.
(7)
1400 Maple Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 969-0800
Grades: PK-8
| 332 students
Baker Demonstration School
Baker Demonstration School Photo - Curiosity captured in the preschool class with hands on learning for our youngest students in a scientific inquiry.
(6)
201 Sheridan Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 425-5800
Grades: NS-8
| 209 students
Catherine Cook School
Catherine Cook School Photo
(13)
226 W Schiller St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 266-3381
Grades: NS-8
| 422 students
Chicago City Day School
Chicago City Day School Photo
(5)
541 W Hawthorne Pl
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 327-0900
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
Morgan Park Academy
Morgan Park Academy Photo
2153 W 111th St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 881-6700
Grades: PK-12
| 475 students
Academy High
Academy High Photo
2001 Fox Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 239-6000
Grades: 9-12
| 38 students
Ancona School
Ancona School Photo - In a community of cultural and economic diversity, Ancona's progressive, social justice curriculum rooted in the Montessori tradition educations students to become creative problem solvers, confident risk takers, and life-long learners.
(6)
4770 S Dorchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 924-2356
Grades: PK-8
| 215 students
Beacon Academy
Beacon Academy Photo
Montessori School
1574 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(224) 999-1177
Grades: 9-12
| 150 students
Bennett Day School
Bennett Day School Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
955 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
Grades: PK-12
| 364 students
3751 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 281-1858
Grades: NS-8
| 368 students
Chiaravalle Montessori
Chiaravalle Montessori Photo - Opening the North Wing in September 2015, Chiaravalle became the first LEED Platinum Montessori school addition in the US and the first LEED Platinum independent school addition in Illinois.
Montessori School
(12)
425 Dempster St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-2190
Grades: PK-8
| 328 students
The Chicago Academy For The Arts
The Chicago Academy For The Arts Photo - Chicagoland's independent high school for the arts.
Special Program Emphasis
1010 W Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 421-0202
Grades: 9-12
| 137 students
Countryside School
4301 W Kirby Avenue
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 355-1253
Grades: K-8
| 158 students
Francis W Parker School
(1)
330 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 797-5501
Grades: PK-12
| 907 students
Gce Lab School
Gce Lab School Photo
(1)
9 West Washington St, Fourth Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 643-0091
Grades: 9-12
| 50 students
Glenwood Academy
Glenwood Academy Photo
500 W 187th St
Glenwood, IL 60425
(708) 756-4663
Grades: 3-8
| 72 students
Holy Family Catholic School
(Catholic)
2400 S Franklin Street Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 423-7049
Grades: PK-8
| 274 students
Lake Forest Academy
Lake Forest Academy Photo - Located on the former estate of J. Odgen Armour, various historical and modern buildings comprise Lake Forest Academy's 150-acre campus, including the Cressey Center for the Arts, the Reyes Family Science Center, and a newly expanded athletic center.
1500 W Kennedy Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 615-3257
Grades: 9-12
| 452 students
145 S. Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-2350
Grades: NS-8
| 406 students
The Latin School Of Chicago
(2)
59 W North Blvd
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 582-6014
Grades: PK-12
| 1,172 students
Lycee Francais De Chicago
Lycee Francais De Chicago Photo - The Lyce Franais de Chicago is a leading international, multilingual school that helps students grow into well-rounded, active citizens of the world.
Special Program Emphasis
(3)
1929 W. Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 665-0066
Grades: PK-12
| 777 students
Montini Catholic High School
Montini Catholic High School Photo
(Catholic)
19W070 16th Street
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 627-6930
Grades: 9-12
| 516 students
Near North Montessori
Near North Montessori Photo - An engaged learner in our Primary Class for children ages 3 years to 6 years, is receiving a lesson with a Montessori material known as the brown stair. The brown stair helps children develop their awareness of size differences
Montessori School
1434 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 384-1434
Grades: NS-8
| 504 students
2017 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 327-3144
Grades: PK-8
| 260 students
310 Green Bay Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-0674
Grades: PK-12
| 520 students
Quest Academy
Quest Academy Photo - Home of the Knights!
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
500 N Benton St
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 202-8035
Grades: PK-8
| 257 students
Roycemore School
Roycemore School Photo
(14)
1200 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-6055
Grades: PK-12
| 230 students
Sacred Heart Schools
Sacred Heart Schools Photo
(Catholic)
(1)
6250 N Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 681-8414
Grades: PK-8
| 644 students
St. Francis High School
(Catholic)
2130 W Roosevelt Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 668-5800
Grades: 9-12
| 697 students
1362 E 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 702-9450
Grades: PK-12
| 2,224 students
Wolcott College Prep
Wolcott College Prep Photo - Wolcott College Prep (West Town) Chicago
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
524 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
Grades: 9-12
| 149 students
Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart
All-girls (Catholic)
760 E Westleigh Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-4300
Grades: 9-12
| 120 students
A-karrasel Enterprises, Inc.
Daycare / Preschool
5504 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 637-1022
Grades: NS-PK
| 64 students
Austin Career Education Center
Alternative School
5352 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-6988
Grades: 10-12
| 63 students
Brickton Montessori School
Brickton Montessori School Photo - Hands. On.When you can touch it, even complicated ideas becomes manageable. Montessori materials stimulate all our senses. With multiple ways of connecting to a single concept, every child can find a path to successful learning.
Montessori School
8622 W Catalpa Ave
Chicago, IL 60656
(773) 714-0646
Grades: NS-8
| 167 students
Show 9 more private schools in Illinois (out of 44 total schools)
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