Tallgrass Sudbury School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

View full size Get directions

REQUEST INFO

SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked IL School
School Type: Alternative School
Grades: Kindergarten-12
Enrollment: 28 students
Yearly Tuition: $11,330
Acceptance rate: 50%
Average class size: 30 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Tallgrass Sudbury School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:

School Facts

School Type

Alternative School

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Other special emphasis association(s)
Other school association(s)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Tallgrass Sudbury School
Kind	1
1	2
2	2
3	3
4	2
5	2
6	2
7	3
8	2
9	1
10	2
11	3
12	3

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Offers Post-Graduate Year

Yes

Year Founded

2008

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

28 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

40%

State avg.: 34%

Academics & Faculty

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

33%

Average Class Size

30 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$11,330

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

sliding scale based onAdjusted Gross Income also offers a sibling discount

% on Financial Aid

80%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$5,000

Acceptance Rate

50%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

90%

Admissions Director

Rick Olson

Admissions Associate

Tim Kwasny

Application URL

Online Application

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

4 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Board Games ClubChess Club

Gardening ClubTheatre and Performance Club

School Notes

Tallgrass Sudbury School is a true alternative to conventional education based on freedom, trust, and respect.
Tallgrass welcomes students ages 5 to 18. Our school is located in La Gramge, IL, a near western suburb of Chicago, with students drawn from throughout the Chicago area.
Tallgrass is one of about 50 schools worldwide modeled after the Sudbury philosophy of education, pioneered by Sudbury Valley School. Sudbury schools facilitate children's natural desire to learn and to teach themselves.

School Motto: Because Life is not Standardized

In a Sudbury school, kids create their own curriculum and are free to spend their time however they choose. When kids are free to manage their time and education they develop confidence, independence, responsibility, and resourcefulness. These qualities are important for life and will serve students well after school, making it easier for them to obtain further knowledge and achieve goals. The school community also plays a large role in student development. Students learn to balance their needs with those of the communitys.The Sudbury model does not have strict roles for students and teachers. Every member of the school is both a student and a teacher at any given time. The role of staff members is to mentor and help students seek resources, not to be an authority figure and tell students what to do or not do.

Source: Verified school update

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Tallgrass Sudbury School cost?

Tallgrass Sudbury School's tuition is approximately $11,330 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Tallgrass Sudbury School?

The acceptance rate of Tallgrass Sudbury School is 50%, which is lower than the national average of 85%. Tallgrass Sudbury School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Illinois with low acceptance rates.

What is Tallgrass Sudbury School's ranking?

Tallgrass Sudbury School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Lowest average acceptance rates.

When is the application deadline for Tallgrass Sudbury School?

The application deadline for Tallgrass Sudbury School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (7 reviews)

5 12/8/2022

Tallgrass is an excellent school for families who value intrinsic motivation, interpersonal communication, social justice, and natural curiosity. As a parent, I have been overjoyed to see the confidence my children have. They are articulate and thoughtful in their communication. They aren't afraid to try something new because they know failure is just part of learning. They wake up excited to go to school and it's so fulfilling to see how happy they are.

- Posted by Parent - Janice

5 12/8/2022

The best decision we made for our son, he has greatly improved his attitude and well-being. He has been more positive and excited to go to school.

- Posted by Parent - J

5 12/8/2022

My boys came from the public school setting. As we were exploring other options for them as they wanted something that had their interests first and I wanted them to become more self-aware. Tallgrass has increased their exposure to a community where they can have fun, be themselves, and explore their passions without any standards.

- Posted by Parent - Parent of 2 Teens 11-13

5 11/23/2021

Both my children graduated from Tallgrass, and they loved it there. They thrived in an atmosphere of freedom and respect. They thrived in a small, caring community where they could pursue their passions.

- Posted by Parent - Melissa B

5 11/17/2021

Our son (age 8) is in his 4th year at Tallgrass. We chose it because he had struggled with directed activities in preschool and we wanted him to associate school with positives. As a self-directed learner, he taught himself to read at age 5, and he especially loves exploring science topics with his schoolmates on walks in the forest and uses the computers to study weather patterns!

- Posted by Parent - TJKS

5 10/27/2021

When Covid hit, our public school son - who was in a gifted program - couldn't see his friends or relate well to online learning only. Since enrolling in Tallgrass, he's excited to go to school where he can study what he likes and it's truly enhanced his trust in himself that he lead his education. There's so much more socialization too in Tallgrass than he ever experienced in public school too. We are so happy we enrolled him here as he's found his place with great friends and teachers.

- Posted by Parent - Parent

5 10/27/2021

- Posted by Parent - Parent of a teen son

Endorse Tallgrass Sudbury 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

August 25, 2026

Will This Curriculum Still Matter in 2035?

Learn how to evaluate future-ready private school curricula for 2035, focusing on durable knowledge, critical thinking, AI literacy, adaptability, communication, creativity, and real-world learning before choosing a school.

August 25, 2026

Private Schools for Creators, Trades & Startups

Explore how private schools support non-traditional career paths in creative industries, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship, plus what families should evaluate when choosing specialized programs for future-ready students today.

August 25, 2026

First 90 Days at Private School: Parent Guide

Learn how to read your child’s first 90 days at private school, distinguish healthy adjustment from genuine struggles, and know when academic, social, or emotional concerns require action.

Request Info

Email:

Name of parent:

Student first name:

Student last name:

Student date of birth:

Student is:

Male

Female

Currently in grade:

Seeking entry for grade:

Target start date:

Please briefly describe academic, athletic, and extracurricular interests of the student:

Home address:

City:

Country:

State:

Zip: (enter "N/A" if not applicable)

Phone:

Save this data and create your user profile. Create your own user account so you don't have to re-type your user data each time you request information. You'll also be able to track your information requests, get reminded of application dates, and more!

Username:

Password:

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Cook County, IL is $13,473 for elementary schools and $19,515 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Cook County, IL is 83% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).