The Best Private Schools in Berwyn, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Berwyn. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Fenwick High School
Dominican Order
Fenwick High School is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory school serving the Berwyn and broader western Chicago suburban area. Founded by the Dominican Order, Fenwick offers a rigorous academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM curriculum. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, a newly renovated library, and extensive athletic facilities. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, Fenwick provides personalized attention and has a 100% college acceptance rate. The school is renowned for its strong athletic traditions, particularly in basketball and football, and offers over 50 clubs and activities.
Programs:
St. Mary School
Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Mary School in nearby Riverside serves Berwyn families with a comprehensive Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade. The school offers a balanced curriculum emphasizing academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. Features include modern classroom technology, dedicated STEM labs, Spanish language instruction from early grades, and a strong fine arts program. The school maintains small class sizes and has consistently high standardized test scores. Extracurricular offerings include sports teams, choir, band, and various clubs. The close-knit community and strong parent involvement contribute to high parent satisfaction ratings.
Programs:
St. Francis Xavier School
Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Francis Xavier School in neighboring La Grange provides a classical Catholic education serving Berwyn and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program with a focus on academic rigor within a faith-based environment. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, literature-based language arts, comprehensive science programs, and integrated technology. The school features modern facilities including smart classrooms, science labs, and a recently updated library. Extracurricular activities include competitive sports teams, music programs, drama productions, and various academic clubs. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere and high secondary school placement rates.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Berwyn, Illinois
What are the main types of private school options available to families in Berwyn, Illinois?
Berwyn, IL, offers a mix of private school options, primarily centered on Catholic parochial schools and a private Catholic college preparatory high school. For elementary and middle school, families have parish-based schools like St. Mary School and St. Francis Xavier School, which offer a faith-based K-8 education. For high school, the prominent option is Fenwick High School, a Dominican college-prep institution in nearby Oak Park that draws many students from Berwyn. While there are no large independent non-religious private schools within Berwyn's immediate borders, the proximity to Chicago and western suburbs expands the choices for families willing to commute.
How does tuition for private schools in the Berwyn area typically work, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition for Berwyn-area private schools varies by grade level and parish affiliation. For elementary schools like St. Mary or St. Francis Xavier, active parish members often receive a subsidized rate, while non-parishioners pay a higher tuition. Annual elementary tuition can range from approximately $5,000 to $8,000. Fenwick High School's tuition is significantly higher, often exceeding $18,000 per year. Illinois-specific aid includes the "Invest in Kids Act" tax credit scholarship program, which provides need-based scholarships for private schools, though funding is limited. All schools offer their own financial aid and payment plans, and many encourage early application for aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Berwyn's private schools offer that reflect the local community?
Berwyn's private schools integrate local culture and values into their programs. Fenwick High School is renowned for its strong academics, robotics team, and storied athletics rivalries in the Chicago Catholic League. Elementary schools like St. Mary and St. Francis Xavier emphasize bilingual education (Spanish-English) and cultural literacy, reflecting Berwyn's diverse demographic. Many schools also participate in local community service initiatives, connecting students with Berwyn's civic organizations. Additionally, given the proximity to Chicago, schools often leverage the city for field trips, museum partnerships, and cultural enrichment opportunities not as readily available in more remote suburbs.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Berwyn, especially for kindergarten and high school freshman year?
The enrollment process for Berwyn private schools often begins almost a year in advance. For kindergarten at a parish school like St. Francis Xavier, registration for parish families typically opens in January for the following fall, with open registration for others soon after. For Fenwick High School, the process for incoming freshmen starts in the fall of 7th grade with placement exam registration (the HSPT), usually held in December. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are communicated in early spring. It's crucial to attend open houses, often held in the fall, and to check each school's website for exact dates, as some popular grades fill quickly.
For a family considering both Morton District 201 public high schools and Fenwick High School in Berwyn, what are key local differentiators?
The key local differentiators between Morton East/West (public) and Fenwick (private) in the Berwyn area are educational approach, resources, and community. Morton District 201 offers a large, diverse public school experience with a wide array of vocational (Career & Technical Education) and Advanced Placement courses, with no tuition. Fenwick offers a smaller, college-prep-focused environment with a required theology curriculum, often smaller class sizes, and a tradition-heavy alumni network. Fenwick involves a significant financial investment and may require commuting to Oak Park. The choice often hinges on a family's preference for a religious education, desire for a specific collegiate preparatory model, and assessment of which environment best suits their child's learning style.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities