Our Lady of the Wayside School is dedicated to enriching our students` minds, fostering a deep and meaningful faith in each child, and expanding their talents.
Our Lady Of The Wayside students have standarized test scores that are higher than nearby schools.
Our Lady of the Wayside School provides an environment that is nurturing and encouraging and where students are eager to excel. OLW students are guided by caring teachers who know each student well and treasure each student`s unique abilities. In this loving, faith-filled environment, students develop the skills, values, confidence, character, and compassion necessary for future success.
We offer a variety of preschool programs (3 and 4 year olds) including full and half day options.
We also offer full and half day kindergarten options.
Extended day care is available before and after school starting at 7:15 and ending at 6:00.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked IL School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 402 students
- Yearly Tuition: $8,000
- Average class size: 17 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Our Lady Of The Wayside School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
resource help for reading and mild learning differences; speech help
Year Founded
1954
Colors
Blue and white, with yellow
School Calendar
Last Day of School
Fri. Jun 4, 2027
Awards
Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2015
Student Body
Total Students
402 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
6%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 11:1
Average Class Size
17 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
there is a uniform
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition varies based on students per family. We do have a scholarship fund.
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
6 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
6 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Robotics (6th-8th grade)Scholastic Bowl Team (7th/8th)
Student Council (6th-8th)Yearbook (8th)
Arts and Music Programs:
Musical TheaterSchool Mass Choir
School Notes
- School Motto: Dedicated to enriching our students’ minds, fostering a deep and meaningful faith in each child, and expanding their talents.
- School Mascot: Willie The Wildcat
- Our Lady of the Wayside School is dedicated to enriching our students` minds, fostering a deep and meaningful faith in each child, and expanding their talents.
- Our Lady Of The Wayside School provides a vital Catholic Christian environment where students are motivated to attain their fullest academic, physical, and spiritual potential, where Christian values, mutual trust, and respect permeate all programs and activities, and where each individual is encouraged to live and to share the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our curriculum emphasizes academic ebcellence and creitical thinking - students are prepared to meet the challenges of the world. We offer a variety of preschool programs (3 and 4 year olds) including full and half day options. We also offerfull and half day kindergarten options. We can accomodate a range of students and offer extra resource help if needed. Extended day care is available before and after school starting at 7:15 and ending at 6:00.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Our Lady Of The Wayside School cost?
Our Lady Of The Wayside School's tuition is approximately $8,000 for private students.
What sports does Our Lady Of The Wayside School offer?
Our Lady Of The Wayside School offers 6 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Our Lady Of The Wayside School's ranking?
Our Lady Of The Wayside School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Our Lady Of The Wayside School?
The application deadline for Our Lady Of The Wayside School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Our Lady Of The Wayside School also viewed these schools: St. James Lutheran School, St. Mary School, A Mother's Touch Creative Learning Center, St. Peter Lutheran School and Immanuel Lutheran School.
The nearest high school to Our Lady Of The Wayside School is St. Viator High School (1.7 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is St. James Lutheran School (1.2 miles away)
The nearest preschool is S Arlington Heights KinderCare (0.9 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
2101 N. Fremont
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
50 N Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 459-3880
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 459-3880
5.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 273 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition listed
A Mother's Touch Creative Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
125 N Dryden Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-K | 124 students
111 W Olive St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 572 students
200 N Plum Grove Rd
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1549
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1549
3.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 316 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 1
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
2101 N. Fremont
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
50 N Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 459-3880
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 459-3880
5.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 273 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition listed
111 W Olive St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 572 students
200 N Plum Grove Rd
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1549
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1549
3.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 316 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 1
445 Pine Street
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 317-1063
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 317-1063
8.9 miles
Gr: NS-8 Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
2101 N. Fremont
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
50 N Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 459-3880
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 459-3880
5.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 273 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition listed
A Mother's Touch Creative Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
125 N Dryden Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-K | 124 students
111 W Olive St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 572 students
200 N Plum Grove Rd
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1549
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1549
3.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 316 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 1
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
S Arlington Heights KinderCare ![S Arlington Heights KinderCare Photo - Our Preschoolers learn science and math concepts through hands-on exploration. They often practice charting their results.]( "S Arlington Heights KinderCare Photo - Our Preschoolers learn science and math concepts through hands-on exploration. They often practice charting their results.")
Daycare / Preschool
1003 South Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 593-7510
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 593-7510
0.9 miles
Gr: NS-PK
2101 N. Fremont
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
820 N Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 345-7145
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 345-7145
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 499 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
A Mother's Touch Creative Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
125 N Dryden Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-K | 124 students
111 W Olive St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 572 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Viator High School
(Catholic)
1213 E Oakton St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 392-4050
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 392-4050
1.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 808 students Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
New Connection's Academy
Special Education School
865 E Wilmette Rd
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-8690
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-8690
2.5 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 71 students
South Campus
Special Education School
909 E Wilmette Rd Ste F
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-8300
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-8300
2.6 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 80 students
Chicago Futabakai Japanese School
Special Program Emphasis
2550 N Arlington Heights Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 590-5700
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 590-5700
3.1 miles
Gr: K-9 | 123 students Avg. class size: 20 students
The Winston Knolls School
Special Education School
2353 Hassell Rd #110, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
3.5 miles
Gr: 2-12 | 36 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
2101 N. Fremont
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
820 N Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 345-7145
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 345-7145
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 499 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
111 W Olive St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 572 students
New Connection's Academy
Special Education School
865 E Wilmette Rd
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-8690
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-8690
2.5 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 71 students
St. Raymond School
(Catholic)
300 S Elmhurst Ave
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 253-8555
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 253-8555
2.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 460 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
S Arlington Heights KinderCare ![S Arlington Heights KinderCare Photo - Our Preschoolers learn science and math concepts through hands-on exploration. They often practice charting their results.]( "S Arlington Heights KinderCare Photo - Our Preschoolers learn science and math concepts through hands-on exploration. They often practice charting their results.")
Daycare / Preschool
1003 South Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 593-7510
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 593-7510
0.9 miles
Gr: NS-PK
2101 N. Fremont
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-4990
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
820 N Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 345-7145
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 345-7145
1.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 499 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
A Mother's Touch Creative Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
125 N Dryden Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-7600
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-K | 124 students
111 W Olive St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 387-3820
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 572 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Fabyan Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Os350 Grengs Ln
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 444-8600
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 444-8600
9196.6 miles
Gr: K-5 | 217 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Heineman Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
725 Dr John Burkey Dr
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 659-4300
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 659-4300
9197 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 724 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Conley Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
750 Dr John Burkey Dr
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 659-3700
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 659-3700
9197.1 miles
Gr: 3-5 | 598 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Ferson Creek School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
38w160 Bolcum Rd
Saint Charles, IL 60175
(331) 228-2300
Saint Charles, IL 60175
(331) 228-2300
9197.1 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Jewel Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1501 Waterford Rd
North Aurora, IL 60542
(630) 301-5010
North Aurora, IL 60542
(630) 301-5010
9197.1 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 490 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
School Reviews
5 5/23/2026
With three children at Our Lady of the Wayside, we''ve had the opportunity to truly experience what makes this school special-and it goes far beyond the classroom. The community is strong, welcoming, and rooted in care, thanks to engaged leadership, committed teachers, and supportive families.Academically, our children are challenged and supported as individuals, and we''ve been especially appreciative of the on-site resource teachers, including speech services, that provide extra support when needed. It makes a real difference to have those resources built into the school day.Most importantly, the values of kindness, grace, forgiveness, and compassion are consistently modeled and reinforced. We see it in how our kids show up every day. We''re very grateful to be part of OLW.
Endorse Our Lady Of The Wayside School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Ask Current Parents What Admissions Won't Answer
Learn how to ask current private school parents revealing questions about culture, academics, communication, costs, discipline, and community life before deciding whether a school truly fits your family well.
When School Anxiety Is Really a School Fit Problem
Learn when school anxiety may signal a poor school fit, how parents can identify academic or social mismatches, and when changing private schools deserves serious consideration for families today.
Will My Child Find Their People? Evaluating School Culture
Learn how to evaluate private school culture, student belonging, friendships, teacher relationships, social dynamics, and authentic community fit so your child can find the right place to thrive and connect.
