The Best Private Schools in Cambridge, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cambridge. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Louis Catholic School
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
St. Louis Catholic School serves students from Cambridge and surrounding communities with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a strong community atmosphere. Programs include advanced mathematics, science labs, music, art, and competitive sports. The school maintains high parent satisfaction with its family-oriented approach and rigorous academic standards that prepare students for high school success.
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Annunciation School
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Annunciation School provides quality Catholic education to students from Cambridge and the Illinois Valley region. Serving Pre-K through 8th grade, the school offers a balanced curriculum that includes strong core academics, religious education, and technology integration. The school features modern facilities, experienced faculty, and comprehensive programs in music, art, and athletics. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, academic rigor, and strong sense of community that extends to surrounding towns including Cambridge.
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St. Bede Academy
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
St. Bede Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory high school serving students from Cambridge and throughout the Illinois Valley. With a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum including numerous Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, extensive fine arts programs, and campus ministry. The 140-acre campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and maintains strong alumni networks throughout the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cambridge, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families in Cambridge, Illinois, and what are their core affiliations?
Cambridge, IL, offers a few key private school options, all with religious affiliations. The main institutions are St. Louis Catholic School (PreK-8) in Cambridge itself, Annunciation School (PreK-8) in nearby Henry, and St. Bede Academy (9-12) in Peru. St. Louis and Annunciation provide a foundational Catholic education for younger students, while St. Bede Academy serves as the primary Catholic high school destination for graduates of these and other area elementary schools. There are no secular private day schools within Cambridge proper, making faith-based education the standard private option in this rural region of Illinois.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Cambridge, IL, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Illinois families?
Tuition in the Cambridge area is generally more affordable than in major metropolitan areas, reflecting the local cost of living. For the 2023-2024 school year, St. Louis Catholic School's tuition was approximately $3,500-$4,500 for parishioners. St. Bede Academy's tuition is higher, typically around $9,000-$10,000. A key financial resource for Illinois families is 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. While funding is limited and application is competitive, this Illinois-specific program can significantly reduce tuition costs for qualifying families at registered schools like these.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Cambridge, Illinois, area offer that leverage their rural setting or religious identity?
Schools in this area often integrate their rural community values and Catholic identity into their programs. St. Bede Academy, for instance, offers a distinctive Agriculture program with coursework in animal and plant science, aligning with the region's farming heritage. Both St. Louis and St. Bede emphasize community service projects that connect students directly with local Cambridge and Henry County organizations. Furthermore, their religious curricula often include sacramental preparation and daily theology, which is a cornerstone of their educational mission. Athletic programs, particularly through the Tri-County Conference for St. Bede, foster strong local rivalries and community spirit.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Louis Catholic School in Cambridge, and are there considerations for non-Catholic families?
The enrollment process for Cambridge-area private schools often begins in early winter (January-February) for the following academic year, with priority frequently given to siblings of current students and active parishioners. The process typically involves submitting an application, birth and baptismal certificates, academic records, and possibly a family interview. Non-Catholic families are generally welcome at St. Louis Catholic School and St. Bede Academy. They are expected to participate in the religious curriculum and school masses but are not required to convert. Tuition rates are often slightly higher for non-parishioners, so it's important to inquire about the specific fee structure.
For a family in Cambridge, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district (Cambridge Community Unit School District #227) and a private Catholic school?
The decision hinges on several local factors. Cambridge's public schools (Cambridge Elementary and Cambridge Jr-Sr High) offer a comprehensive, tuition-free education with a wide range of extracurriculars, including strong FFA and sports programs, serving the entire community. The private Catholic schools provide a faith-based education with smaller class sizes, a consistent moral framework, and a direct pathway from St. Louis to St. Bede Academy. A major practical consideration is transportation; while the public district provides busing, private school families in Illinois are responsible for their own transportation, which can be a significant factor given the distances to Annunciation in Henry or St. Bede in Peru. Additionally, the community and alumni networks associated with the long-standing Catholic schools (St. Bede was founded in 1890) are a notable draw for many local families.