Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy is an independent coeducational college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve.
Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Top Ranked IL School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 452 students
- Yearly Tuition: $53,200
- Acceptance rate: 31%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Lake Forest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
ACT Score
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Resources
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1857
Colors
Orange & black
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
Last Day of School
Fri. Jun 5, 2026
Campus Size
150 acres
Student Body
Total Students
452 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
39%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
65 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
78%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
24 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Art HistoryAP Biology
AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC
AP ChemistryAP Chinese Language & Culture
AP Computer ScienceAP Economics
AP English Language & CompositionAP English Literature & Composition
AP Environmental ScienceAP French Language & Culture
AP Latin Language & CultureAP Music Theory
AP Physics CAP Psychology
AP Spanish Language & CultureAP Spanish Literature & Culture
AP StatisticsAP United States History
AP World History
Average SAT score
1430
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$53,200
Tuition Notes
The 2024 - 2025 school year tuition for day students is $53,200 and the tuition for boarding students is $73,400.
% on Financial Aid
33%
Acceptance Rate
31%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Carolyn Gorowski
Application URL
Endowment Size
$68.5 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
15 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
24 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Amnesty InternationalArchive Club
Black Student UnionCaxy Comedy
Caxy KeyDebate
Future Business Leaders of AmericaGay-Straight-Alliance (GSA)
Harlow SocietyInvestment Club
Jewish Student Union (JSU)Literary Magazine
Math TeamModel UN
PhotographyScholastic Bowl
Science OlympiadStudents Demand Action
Sustainability ClubSymphony for Service
The SpectatorUNIDOS
Arts and Music Programs:
Co-AxVOX
School Notes
- School Motto: Midwestern Heart. Global Mind.
- School Mascot: Caxy
- Lake Forest Academy, founded in 1857, is an independent coeducational college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve.
- Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Jean Harlow - Actress
- Bix Biederbecke - Jazz cornet player
- Bradley Russell Weinberger - Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice
- David Bradley - Film director
- Judy Baar Topinka - Former Illinois State Treasurer
- Frances Perkins - First female Secretary of Labor
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Lake Forest Academy cost?
Lake Forest Academy's tuition is approximately $53,200 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Lake Forest Academy?
The acceptance rate of Lake Forest Academy is 31%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. Lake Forest Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Illinois with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Lake Forest Academy?
Lake Forest Academy famous alumni include: Jean Harlow, Bix Biederbecke, Bradley Russell Weinberger, David Bradley, Judy Baar Topinka and Frances Perkins.
Does Lake Forest Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Lake Forest Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Lake Forest Academy offer?
Lake Forest Academy offers 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Lake Forest Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for most sports offered.
What is Lake Forest Academy's ranking?
Lake Forest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Lake Forest Academy?
The application deadline for Lake Forest Academy is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Related Schools
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People that viewed Lake Forest Academy also viewed these schools: North Shore Country Day School, Fusion Academy Lake Forest, Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart, Fenwick High School and Lake Forest Country Day School.
The nearest high school and elementary school to Lake Forest Academy is Fusion Academy Lake Forest (1.2 miles away)
The nearest preschool is School Of St. Mary Upper Grade Center (1.5 miles away)
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School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
310 Green Bay Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-0674
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-0674
12.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 520 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
840 S. Waukegan Road, Suite 224
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(877) 673-8893
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(877) 673-8893
1.2 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 67 students Avg. class size: 1 student Tuition listed
Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart
All-girls (Catholic)
760 E Westleigh Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-4300
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-4300
2.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 120 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Fenwick High School
(Catholic)
505 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 948-0332
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 948-0332
25.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,101 student Sports: 18
145 S. Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-2350
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-2350
2.4 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 406 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
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