The Best Private Schools in Aurora, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Aurora. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Avery Coonley School
Independent
The Avery Coonley School is a nationally recognized independent school serving gifted students from preschool through 8th grade, drawing families from Aurora and throughout the western suburbs. The school offers an accelerated curriculum with advanced mathematics, sciences, and humanities programs. The 16-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic facilities. With small class sizes and highly qualified faculty, Avery Coonley provides exceptional academic preparation with graduates consistently gaining admission to top high schools. The school's focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills makes it one of the premier private school options in the region.
Programs:
Marmion Academy
Marmion Abbey
Marmion Academy is a Catholic, Benedictine college preparatory school for young men with an outstanding reputation for academic excellence. The school offers a rigorous curriculum with 23 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic teams and award-winning fine arts programs. The 40-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, Marmion provides personalized attention and strong college placement results.
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Rosary High School
Dominican Sisters of Springfield
Rosary High School is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school known for its strong academic programs and supportive community. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses, specialized STEM Academy, and extensive leadership opportunities. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. Rosary emphasizes character development through service learning and maintains a 98% college acceptance rate. The school's small class sizes and dedicated faculty provide personalized education with strong emphasis on women's leadership development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Aurora, Illinois
What are the main types of private schools available in Aurora, Illinois, and how do they differ?
Aurora, IL, offers a diverse range of private schools catering to different educational philosophies and needs. The area is known for its well-regarded Catholic college-preparatory schools like Marmion Academy (all-boys) and Rosary High School (all-girls), which offer rigorous academics within a faith-based framework. For families seeking a highly accelerated, non-religious education, The Avery Coonley School in nearby Downers Grove (serving many Aurora families) is a prestigious independent school for gifted students. Additionally, Aurora has various parochial elementary schools, Montessori programs, and other faith-based academies. This mix allows parents to choose based on curriculum, values, class size, and specific learning environments.
How does tuition for private schools in Aurora, IL, compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in Aurora varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high schools like Marmion and Rosary have tuition in the range of $15,000-$18,000 annually. Elementary parochial schools are often less, typically between $5,000-$8,000 per year. The Avery Coonley School, as an elite independent school, has a higher tuition, often exceeding $25,000. Importantly, Illinois offers the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides need-based scholarships funded by donations from individuals and businesses who receive a state tax credit. Most Aurora-area private schools participate, and families are encouraged to apply during admissions. Additionally, most schools offer their own need-based financial aid and payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are highlights of Aurora-area private schools?
Aurora private schools distinguish themselves with specialized programs. Marmion Academy boasts a renowned STEM program, an extensive robotics team, and a distinctive military leadership component in its JROTC program. Rosary High School offers strong college-prep academics with unique pathways in biomedical science and engineering, supported by their "Rosary Robotics" team. While not in Aurora proper, The Avery Coonley School is a regional draw for its advanced curriculum designed for high-ability learners, starting in preschool. Many Aurora Catholic schools also integrate Spanish language instruction from an early grade and have strong community service requirements, leveraging the city's diverse population for real-world learning.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Aurora, Illinois?
The process for Aurora private schools generally begins a full year before the desired start date. Most schools, including Marmion, Rosary, and local elementary schools, host open houses in the fall (September-November). Application deadlines for the following academic year are typically in January or February. The process often includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and for some, an entrance exam (like the HSPT for Catholic high schools) and a family interview. Admissions decisions are commonly released in February or March. It's highly advisable to attend open houses and schedule shadow days for your child, especially for competitive schools. Waiting lists are common, so early inquiry is recommended.
For families living in Aurora, what are the key considerations when comparing top-tier private schools to the public school districts?
Aurora is served by several public school districts (including Indian Prairie SD 204, Aurora West SD 129, and East Aurora SD 131), which vary in performance and offerings. Key considerations when comparing include: **Class Size** (private schools often have smaller ratios), **Curriculum Focus** (private schools may offer religious education, gifted tracks, or specific pedagogical approaches), and **Consistency** (private school choice avoids the variability between Aurora's different public district boundaries). Transportation is another factor; while public districts provide buses, private school families often must arrange carpools or use limited fee-based bus services. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether a family values the specialized mission, community, and often more rigorous homework/college-prep culture of Aurora's private schools versus the no-tuition cost and diverse extracurriculars of larger public high schools.
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