The Best Private Schools in Danville, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Danville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
University of Illinois Laboratory High School (Uni High)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University Laboratory High School, part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a highly selective public laboratory school that serves gifted students from throughout Central Illinois, including Danville. Located approximately 35 minutes from Danville, Uni High offers an accelerated curriculum that prepares students for top-tier colleges and universities. Students benefit from direct access to university resources, research opportunities, and faculty expertise. The school features small class sizes, individualized attention, and a challenging academic environment that emphasizes critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. With exceptional academic outcomes and a tradition of excellence spanning over a century, Uni High represents one of the premier private school options available to Danville-area families seeking rigorous academic preparation.
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The High School of Saint Thomas More
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Located in nearby Champaign (approximately 30 minutes from Danville), The High School of Saint Thomas More serves students from throughout East Central Illinois, including Danville families. This highly-rated Catholic college preparatory school offers rigorous academic programs including 18 Advanced Placement courses and dual credit opportunities through local colleges. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on faith formation and academic excellence, Saint Thomas More consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and maintains exceptional parent satisfaction through its comprehensive student support services and vibrant extracurricular programs.
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Schlarman Academy
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Schlarman Academy is Danville's premier Catholic private school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. With a rich 85-year history, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Schlarman emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong programs in STEM, fine arts, and competitive athletics. The school maintains high parent satisfaction through its supportive community and commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared for college and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Danville, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Danville, Illinois?
Danville, IL, offers a few key private institutions, primarily with a Catholic affiliation. The main options are Schlarman Academy, which serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade, and The High School of Saint Thomas More, a dedicated Catholic high school. Additionally, the University of Illinois Laboratory High School (Uni High) in nearby Urbana is a highly selective public laboratory school that is tuition-free for Illinois residents but operates like a private college-prep school, attracting some Danville families. The private school landscape in Danville is characterized by smaller, faith-based communities with a strong focus on college preparation and values-based education.
How does tuition for private schools in Danville, IL, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for Danville's private schools is generally below the state average for Illinois private institutions, reflecting the local cost of living. For the 2024-2025 school year, annual tuition at Schlarman Academy ranges from approximately $5,000 for elementary to $7,500 for high school. The High School of Saint Thomas More is similarly priced. Both schools offer substantial financial aid through parish subsidies for active Catholic families, need-based scholarships, and multi-child discounts. Illinois also offers a tax-credit scholarship program, the Invest in Kids Act, which can provide significant tuition assistance to eligible families, making private education more accessible in Danville.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Danville's private schools offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Danville's private schools leverage their smaller size to offer distinctive programs. Schlarman Academy provides a continuous, faith-integrated curriculum from Pre-K to 12th grade on one campus, which is rare in the area. The High School of Saint Thomas More is renowned for its strong athletics, particularly in basketball and volleyball, competing at a high state level. While not in Danville proper, Uni High offers an unparalleled accelerated curriculum for academically gifted students, with research opportunities at the University of Illinois. These schools often have more robust foreign language programs starting earlier, and mandatory service-learning components that connect students to the Danville community.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families applying to private schools in Danville?
The enrollment process for Danville's private schools typically begins in the winter for the following fall. For Schlarman Academy and Saint Thomas More, priority registration for existing families and parish members usually opens in January, with open registration for new families starting in February or March. Key steps include a campus tour, submission of application forms, student records, and often a placement assessment or shadow day for middle and high school students. Unlike competitive urban private schools, Danville schools generally have rolling admissions but encourage early application to secure a spot, especially for sought-after kindergarten and freshman classes. Financial aid applications are due in the spring.
For families considering both sectors, what are the notable differences between Danville's public School District 118 and its private school options?
The most significant differences lie in scale, curriculum, and environment. Danville Public School District 118 serves a much larger and more diverse student population across multiple buildings, offering a wide range of vocational (CTE) and special education programs. Private schools in Danville are much smaller, with lower student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more individualized attention. The private school curriculum is standardized with a college-prep focus and integrated religious education, while District 118 follows Illinois state learning standards. Extracurricularly, District 118 may offer more variety due to size, but private schools like Saint Thomas More have developed elite, focused athletic programs. The choice often comes down to a family's preference for a specific faith-based community and teaching philosophy versus the comprehensive services and diversity of the public system.