The Best Private Schools in Chesterfield, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Chesterfield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Illinois School for the Deaf
Illinois State Board of Education
The Illinois School for the Deaf is a highly respected state-operated residential school serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students from across Illinois, including the Chesterfield area. With nearly two centuries of educational excellence, ISD provides comprehensive academic programs from preschool through high school, emphasizing language development through American Sign Language. The campus features modern facilities including specialized classrooms, dormitories, athletic complexes, and vocational training centers. Students benefit from small class sizes, highly qualified teachers certified in deaf education, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including sports, arts, and leadership programs.
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Our Saviour School
Our Saviour Catholic Parish
Our Saviour School is a premier Catholic private school serving the Jacksonville area and surrounding communities including Chesterfield. Founded in 1959, the school offers a classical education rooted in Catholic traditions while incorporating modern educational approaches. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence with strong programs in mathematics, science, language arts, and religious studies. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, a library, gymnasium, and dedicated art and music spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, ensuring personalized attention and strong academic outcomes.
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Trinity Lutheran School
Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran School has been providing quality Christian education to the Jacksonville region since 1949, serving families from Chesterfield and surrounding areas. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a Christ-centered curriculum that integrates faith and learning. Academic programs emphasize core subjects while incorporating technology, music, art, and physical education. The school features updated classrooms, computer labs, a gymnasium, and playground facilities. Trinity is known for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated faculty, and commitment to developing students' academic, spiritual, and social growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Chesterfield, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families in Chesterfield, Illinois, and what distinguishes them?
Chesterfield, IL, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a specific focus. The **Illinois School for the Deaf** is a state-operated residential and day school serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students from across Illinois, offering a specialized curriculum and environment. **Our Saviour School** (in Jacksonville, serving the broader area including Chesterfield) is a private Christian school typically offering a faith-based, traditional K-8 education. **Trinity Lutheran School** (also in Jacksonville) provides a Lutheran Christian education, usually for preschool through 8th grade. For Chesterfield families, the notable distinction is the presence of a highly specialized state resource like the Illinois School for the Deaf alongside more traditional parish-based schools in nearby Jacksonville, requiring consideration of commute and educational philosophy.
How does tuition for private schools serving Chesterfield, IL, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition structures vary significantly among the schools accessible to Chesterfield residents. Parish-based schools like Our Saviour and Trinity Lutheran typically have lower tuition rates, often with reduced fees for members of their supporting churches, and may offer sibling discounts. The Illinois School for the Deaf, as a state agency, does not charge tuition for eligible Illinois residents. For private school financial aid, Illinois offers the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools. Additionally, many private schools have their own need-based aid or parish subsidy programs. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their current tuition rates and available aid applications.
What unique academic or specialized programs do private schools in the Chesterfield area offer?
The private schools serving Chesterfield provide unique specializations. The **Illinois School for the Deaf** offers a comprehensive academic program fully accessible in American Sign Language (ASL) and English, with specialized support services, vocational training, and extracurriculars designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The local Christian schools (Our Saviour and Trinity Lutheran) typically integrate religious education into a standard academic curriculum and may offer programs in music, art, and basic foreign language. Given Chesterfield's rural setting and smaller school sizes, these private schools often emphasize small class sizes and community values, but do not typically offer extensive AP or IB programs commonly found in larger urban private schools.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Chesterfield, Illinois?
The process differs by school type. For **Illinois School for the Deaf**, enrollment involves an eligibility determination through the Illinois State Board of Education, including an evaluation of hearing loss and educational needs, and can be initiated at any time due to its public, specialized nature. For the private Christian schools in Jacksonville, the timeline is more traditional. Applications for the following academic year often open in January or February, with deadlines in the spring for guaranteed consideration. These schools typically require an application form, student records, possible placement testing, and an interview or family meeting. Given the limited seats in these smaller schools, Chesterfield families are advised to begin inquiries a full year in advance, especially for entry grades like Kindergarten.
For a Chesterfield family, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Triopia School District) and a private school option?
Key considerations include educational philosophy, specialization, cost, and commute. **Triopia Unit District #27** provides a tuition-free, comprehensive K-12 education in a consolidated community setting, with extracurriculars like sports and agriculture programs relevant to the rural area. Choosing a private school like Our Saviour or Trinity Lutheran involves a commitment to a faith-based education, typically requiring a daily commute to Jacksonville (approx. 15-20 minutes) and paying tuition. The Illinois School for the Deaf is a choice based solely on a student's specific need for a deaf-education environment. For Chesterfield families, the decision often hinges on whether the desire for religious instruction or a specialized program outweighs the convenience and cost savings of the local public school district.
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