At Lake Forest Country Day School, we are dedicated to providing the best possible educational environment for our students in preschool through eighth grade by remaining committed to our mission to building students of strong character with a passion for learning.
Our mission is: Inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to individual needs, a commitment to responsible citizenship.
These principles infuse every aspect of life at Lake Forest Country Day School and define our dedication to producing students of strong character with a passion for learning. Our teachers and parents work together in the belief that each person in our community is of unique and infinite value and that a rigorous academic program responsive to the interest and readiness of each student is the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked IL School
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
- Enrollment: 406 students
- Yearly Tuition: $39,745
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Lake Forest Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
School History
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
Year Founded
1888
School Calendar
First Day of School
Sat. Aug 30, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. Jun 8, 2026
Student Body
Total Students
406 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
8%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
57 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
15 students
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Lands End School Clothing Program
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$39,745
Tuition Notes
$5,685 to $35,790
% on Financial Aid
21%
Admissions Director
Alex Sheridan
Admissions Associate
Lisa Horstmann
Endowment Size
$22 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
12 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Chorus
School Notes
- School Motto: Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
- School Mascot: Panther
- Lake Forest Country Day School delivers a diverse and rich educational experience grounded in academics, arts, and athletics to two-year-old through eighth-grade students. The LFCDS Experience ensures that talented teachers will inspire and challenge individual students at the top of their abilities, according to their needs.At LFCDS, students from over 35 communities thrive in a state-of-the-art, hands-on learning environment that encourages self-expression and confidence through inspired teaching, academic rigor, individualized attention, and responsible citizenship. Two important beliefs are at the heart of the teaching philosophy: social and emotional development is inextricably linked with academic achievement; and experiential learning creates a foundation for deeper understanding.
- According to Head of School Bob Whelan, "Teaching and learning are not by rote here. The classrooms, technology offerings, laboratories, art spaces and playing fields all serve as vital staging grounds for a rich program, designed to prepare LFCDS graduates to be compassionate, independent thinkers with a strong sense of personal integrity and intellectual curiosity." Highlighted by a better than 7:1 student/faculty ratio, an LFCDS education sets the stage for a bright future in secondary school and beyond, with twenty percent of LFCDS graduates attending colleges and universities ranked in the top 20 byU.S. News and World Report.
- For more information about the LFCDS Experience, please visit www.lfcds.orgor call the Admission Office at(847) 615-6151.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Lake Forest Country Day School cost?
Lake Forest Country Day School's tuition is approximately $39,745 for private students.
What sports does Lake Forest Country Day School offer?
Lake Forest Country Day School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Squash, Track and Field and Volleyball. Lake Forest Country Day School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for most sports offered.
What is Lake Forest Country Day School's ranking?
Lake Forest Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Largest student body, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Lake Forest Country Day School?
The application deadline for Lake Forest Country Day School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
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