The Best Private Schools in Braidwood, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Braidwood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary Immaculate School
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
St. Mary Immaculate School serves families from Braidwood and the wider region with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade Catholic education. The school features modern facilities including smart classrooms, computer labs, science facilities, and extensive athletic fields. Academic programs emphasize critical thinking, technology integration, and faith-based learning. The school offers a robust extracurricular program including athletics, music, drama, and academic competitions. With a strong focus on community and service, St. Mary Immaculate maintains high academic standards and prepares students for success in high school and beyond, with graduates consistently accepted into top college preparatory schools.
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Joliet Catholic Academy
Diocese of Joliet
Joliet Catholic Academy is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic high school serving the Braidwood area and surrounding communities. Formed through the merger of Joliet Catholic High School and St. Francis Academy, JCA offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. Known for its strong tradition of academic excellence and championship athletic programs, JCA maintains a 99% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide. The school emphasizes character development through campus ministry and service programs.
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St. Rose School
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
St. Rose School serves students from Braidwood and surrounding communities with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade Catholic education. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on faith formation alongside academic excellence. Recent enhancements include updated technology integration, STEM lab facilities, and expanded extracurricular offerings. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community support, with many graduates successfully transitioning to top regional high schools. St. Rose provides a nurturing environment focused on developing the whole child through academic, spiritual, and social growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Braidwood, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Braidwood, Illinois?
While Braidwood itself is a smaller community, families typically look to nearby cities for private K-12 education. The most prominent options include Joliet Catholic Academy (a co-ed college preparatory high school in Joliet), St. Rose School (a K-8 Catholic school in Wilmington), and St. Mary Immaculate School (a Pre-K-8 Catholic school in Plainfield). These schools serve the broader Braidwood area, with many local families commuting. There are limited, if any, private school campuses physically located within Braidwood's city limits, so transportation planning is an important local consideration.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Braidwood, IL, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range of approximately $5,000-$8,000 for elementary grades at schools like St. Rose or St. Mary Immaculate, while Joliet Catholic Academy's high school tuition is higher, typically around $12,000-$14,000. All these schools offer parish subsidy discounts for active members of their supporting Catholic parishes. Illinois-specific aid includes the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, where donations to scholarship-granting organizations fund needs-based scholarships for private school students. Additionally, the Illinois Invest in Kids Act (though currently in a sunset phase) has been a critical source of assistance, so checking each school's financial aid office for the latest state and diocesan opportunities is essential.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools near Braidwood offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Schools serving Braidwood families emphasize distinct programs rooted in their missions. Joliet Catholic Academy offers a strong college-prep curriculum with renowned athletic programs (especially football and baseball) and faith-based leadership development. St. Rose and St. Mary Immaculate provide a structured, faith-integrated K-8 education with smaller class sizes than many public districts, often featuring specialized STEM initiatives and sacramental preparation integrated into the school day. A key differentiator for Braidwood parents is the consistent values-based environment from kindergarten through high school, which can be appealing compared to the separate Braidwood public elementary and Reed-Custer High School systems.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Joliet Catholic Academy that serve Braidwood students?
Enrollment timelines are crucial as spots can be limited. For K-8 schools like St. Rose or St. Mary Immaculate, open enrollment often begins in January for the following fall, with priority given to parish members and siblings. Joliet Catholic Academy (JCA) has a separate process: prospective freshmen must take an entrance exam, usually held in December or January of their 8th-grade year, with application deadlines early in the calendar year. Given Braidwood's location, attending open houses in the fall is highly recommended to understand commute logistics and community fit. It's common for Braidwood families to begin this process 12-18 months before desired enrollment.
For a family in Braidwood, what are the key logistical considerations when choosing a private school, particularly regarding transportation?
Transportation is a primary logistical factor since no top private schools are located within Braidwood. The Braidwood public school district does not provide busing to private schools outside its boundaries. Therefore, families must arrange for carpooling or private transportation to schools in Joliet (a 20-25 minute drive to JCA), Wilmington (10-15 minutes to St. Rose), or Plainfield (20+ minutes to St. Mary Immaculate). This daily commute impacts family schedules and costs. Many families connect with existing carpools through parish networks or school parent organizations. Additionally, considering after-school care and activity timing is vital, as late return trips can be significant.
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