The Best Private Schools in Delavan, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Delavan. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Peoria Academy
Independent
Peoria Academy is a highly-regarded independent school serving central Illinois families, including those from Delavan. The school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Known for its strong academic foundation, the school emphasizes critical thinking, global awareness, and personalized learning. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, ensuring individual attention and academic excellence.
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Peoria Notre Dame High School
Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Peoria Notre Dame is a comprehensive Catholic high school serving students from throughout central Illinois, including Delavan. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses and extensive extracurricular opportunities. Academic programs are complemented by strong athletic teams, vibrant fine arts programs, and community service requirements. The campus features modern academic facilities, state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and boasts a 99% college acceptance rate.
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Central Catholic High School
Diocese of Peoria
Central Catholic High School in Bloomington serves families throughout central Illinois, including Delavan residents. As the oldest Catholic high school in the area, it has a long tradition of academic excellence and character formation. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include recently renovated classrooms, science laboratories, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside academic achievement, with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and numerous service learning opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Delavan, Illinois
Are there any private schools actually located within Delavan, Illinois, or will we need to commute to a nearby city?
There are no private K-12 schools physically located within the city limits of Delavan, IL. Families seeking private education typically commute to schools in larger nearby communities. The top options, as you noted, are in Peoria (approximately a 30-45 minute drive), such as Peoria Academy (PreK-8), Peoria Notre Dame High School (9-12), and Central Catholic High School (9-12). Some families also explore options in Bloomington-Normal or Springfield. This commute is a significant factor for Delavan residents, influencing daily schedules and transportation logistics.
What are the typical tuition ranges for the private schools near Delavan, IL, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
For the primary options in Peoria, annual tuition typically ranges from approximately $8,000 to $12,000+ for the 2024-2025 school year, varying by grade level and school. Peoria Academy, Peoria Notre Dame, and Central Catholic each have detailed tuition schedules on their websites. A key Illinois-specific financial consideration is the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**. While funding is limited and application-based, this program can provide significant need-based scholarships for Illinois students to attend private schools. Additionally, all the mentioned schools offer their own need-based financial aid and may have parish subsidies for affiliated families at the Catholic high schools.
How do the academic and extracurricular offerings at private schools near Delavan compare to those at Delavan Community Unit School District #703?
Delavan's public district (Delavan Jr/Sr High) offers a solid, traditional education with the benefit of a close-knit community and no tuition. The private schools in Peoria, by contrast, often provide more specialized academic tracks (e.g., stronger college-prep, International Baccalaureate (IB) at Peoria Academy, distinct honors/AP programs), different student-to-teacher ratios, and a wider array of extracurricular activities, including niche sports and arts programs, due to their larger size and resources. The trade-off is the daily commute from Delavan. The choice often hinges on whether a family prioritizes a specific educational philosophy/religious foundation and broader programs over the convenience and community feel of the local public school.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for a Delavan family applying to a Peoria-area private school?
The process is school-specific but generally follows an annual cycle. For schools like Peoria Academy, Peoria Notre Dame, and Central Catholic, the application window for the following academic year typically opens in the fall (October-November), with priority deadlines in January or February. The process involves submitting an application, academic records from Delavan schools, teacher recommendations, and often a student visit or shadow day. For high schools, placement tests are frequently required. It is crucial for Delavan families to plan well ahead due to the commute factor; securing a spot and potentially coordinating carpools with other local families is important. We recommend contacting admissions offices directly in the early fall.
For a family in Delavan, what are the unique benefits of choosing a private school in the Peoria area, and what are the logistical challenges?
The primary benefit is access to a diverse set of educational models—a secular, independent IB program at Peoria Academy, or single-gender classrooms within the co-ed Catholic high schools—that are not available in Delavan's public system. These schools also offer expansive networks and facilities. The significant logistical challenges are the daily commute (30-45 minutes each way, impacting family time and extracurricular participation), transportation costs, and the potential feeling of being disconnected from the immediate Delavan community. Successful families often establish carpool groups with other Delavan/area residents attending the same school. The decision ultimately balances the desired educational environment against the practicalities of a substantial daily commitment to travel.
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