The Best Private Schools in Downers Grove, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Downers Grove. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Avery Coonley School
Independent
Located within Downers Grove, Avery Coonley School is a prestigious independent school serving gifted students from preschool through 8th grade. The school offers an accelerated, enriched curriculum designed specifically for academically talented students. With small class sizes and individualized attention, Avery Coonley provides advanced coursework in mathematics, sciences, humanities, and the arts. The campus features modern academic facilities, dedicated science labs, art studios, and extensive athletic spaces. The school is renowned for its exceptional academic outcomes, with graduates consistently gaining admission to top-tier high schools and universities. The community emphasizes character development and intellectual curiosity.
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Benet Academy
St. Procopius Abbey
Benet Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory high school located just minutes from Downers Grove in neighboring Lisle. Known for its rigorous academic program and strong community values, Benet offers a comprehensive curriculum with 24 Advanced Placement courses. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. With a 99% college acceptance rate and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, Benet consistently ranks among the top private schools in the Chicago suburbs. The school maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence, competitive athletics, and vibrant extracurricular activities.
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Montini Catholic High School
Diocese of Joliet
Montini Catholic High School serves students from Downers Grove and surrounding communities with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The school offers a robust STEM program, extensive Advanced Placement courses, and a strong emphasis on faith-based education. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, a performing arts center, and athletic complexes. Montini maintains a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. The school is particularly known for its strong athletic traditions and comprehensive student support services, providing a well-rounded educational experience for students from diverse backgrounds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Downers Grove, Illinois
What are the main types of private schools available in Downers Grove, Illinois, and how do they differ?
Downers Grove offers a diverse range of private school options, primarily categorized as independent, Catholic, and specialized. Benet Academy and Montini Catholic High School are prominent Catholic, college-preparatory high schools with strong religious and athletic traditions. The Avery Coonley School is a highly selective, independent school for gifted students from preschool through 8th grade, known for its accelerated curriculum. Additionally, the area hosts several private elementary and middle schools, including St. Joseph School (Catholic) and Downers Grove Montessori School. This variety allows parents to choose based on educational philosophy, religious affiliation, and academic intensity.
How does the tuition for private schools in Downers Grove, IL, compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in Downers Grove varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high schools like Benet Academy have tuition around $16,000-$18,000, while elite independent schools like Avery Coonley can exceed $25,000 annually for middle school. Parish-affiliated Catholic elementary schools are often less, typically ranging from $6,000 to $9,000. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, and Illinois' Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Invest in Kids Act) can provide significant assistance to eligible families. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages, scholarships, and payment plans.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for top private schools in Downers Grove, particularly for schools with competitive admissions?
The timeline is critical, especially for sought-after schools. For fall enrollment, the process often begins a full year in advance. Schools like Avery Coonley and Benet Academy typically have application deadlines between December and January for the following academic year. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (like the ISEE or HSPT), and interviews or student assessments. Many Downers Grove private schools also host open houses in the fall. For Catholic schools, priority is frequently given to parish members and siblings of current students, so early contact with the parish and school is advised.
Beyond academics, what unique extracurricular or community programs do Downers Grove private schools offer that leverage the local area?
Downers Grove private schools leverage their suburban Chicago location for unique programs. Benet Academy and Montini Catholic have robust athletic programs competing in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, with access to local facilities like the Downers Grove Park District. Many schools incorporate Chicago's cultural resources through field trips to museums, the Art Institute, and theaters. Specific programs might include STEM partnerships with Argonne National Laboratory or Fermilab, service learning within DuPage County, and music programs that perform at local venues like the Tivoli Theatre. This connectivity enriches the student experience beyond the classroom.
For families moving to Downers Grove, how do the outcomes and environment of private schools compare to the highly-rated public District 58 and District 99?
This is a key local consideration. Downers Grove public schools (District 58 for K-8 and District 99 for high school) are consistently top-rated in Illinois, offering excellent academics, arts, and sports at no tuition cost. The choice often hinges on specific needs. Private schools like Avery Coonley offer a faster-paced, gifted curriculum, while Benet provides a structured, faith-based environment. Private schools generally have smaller class sizes and distinct missions (e.g., religious formation, gifted education). The public schools offer immense diversity of programs due to their larger size. Many families in Downers Grove choose private for a specific educational approach, even with strong public options available.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Secondary Schools Near Downers Grove, IL for Your Child
As a parent in Downers Grove, the search for the right educational environment for your teenager is both exciting and daunting. When you type "private secondary schools near me" into a search engine, you're not just looking for a list; you're seeking a community that aligns with your family's values and your child's unique potential. Fortunately, our area offers a rich tapestry of private secondary options, each with distinct characteristics that cater to different academic, social, and spiritual needs. The journey begins with understanding the local landscape beyond the school names, considering the daily rhythms of life in DuPage County.
The concept of "near me" in Downers Grove carries particular advantages. Our central location within the western suburbs provides access to some of the region's most respected institutions without the extreme commute into Chicago. Schools like Benet Academy in nearby Lisle offer a rigorous, college-preparatory environment rooted in the Benedictine tradition, attracting academically driven students from across the area. Meanwhile, Montini Catholic High School in Lombard provides a strong faith-based education with a notable emphasis on both arts and athletics. For families whose children are academically gifted at a young age, the Avery Coonley School, though primarily a K-8 institution, is a cornerstone of advanced learning right here in Downers Grove, and its graduates often feed directly into top-tier secondary programs. Your search must balance the school's philosophy with practical logistics like transportation, after-school activity schedules, and where your child's friends will likely be.
When evaluating private secondary schools near you, delve into what makes each community tick. Attend open houses and ask specific questions about how they support students through the unique pressures of adolescence. Inquire about their college counseling process—when it starts, how personalized it is, and where their graduates matriculate. Consider the extracurricular landscape; does the school have robust offerings in your child's area of passion, whether it's robotics, theater, or varsity sports? Also, reflect on the social environment. A smaller school like Montini may offer a tight-knit community, while a larger one like Benet provides a wide array of peers and programs. For Downers Grove families, the investment is significant, so understanding the tangible return in terms of student support, campus resources, and graduate outcomes is crucial.
Ultimately, the best fit is where your child will be known, challenged, and inspired. We encourage you to move beyond the initial search for "private secondary schools near me" and immerse yourself in the local options. Drive the routes during drop-off time, talk to current parents at local coffee shops like Starbucks on Main Street, and, most importantly, include your teenager in the conversations. Their intuition about where they feel they belong is a powerful guide. The schools in and around Downers Grove are not just institutions; they are communities that will partner with you during these formative years. Taking the time to explore them thoroughly will help you find a place where your child can confidently write their next chapter.
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