The Best Private Schools in Elwood, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Elwood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Benet Academy
St. Procopius Abbey
Benet Academy is a top-ranked Catholic college preparatory school serving the broader Chicago metropolitan area, including Elwood families. Consistently ranked among Illinois' best private high schools, Benet offers a challenging academic environment with 24 Advanced Placement courses and extensive honors programs. The school features exceptional facilities including recently renovated science centers, performing arts venues, and athletic complexes. Benet maintains a 99% college matriculation rate with graduates attending prestigious universities nationwide. The school emphasizes holistic education through robust extracurricular programs, service opportunities, and character formation within its Benedictine tradition.
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Joliet Catholic Academy
Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
Joliet Catholic Academy is a premier co-educational Catholic college preparatory high school serving the Elwood and greater Joliet area. The school maintains a strong academic reputation with a comprehensive curriculum including 18 Advanced Placement courses and extensive honors programs. JCA features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. The school is renowned for its championship athletic programs and offers diverse extracurricular activities. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, JCA provides personalized attention and maintains a 99% college acceptance rate.
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Providence Catholic High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
Providence Catholic High School is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic institution serving students from Elwood and surrounding communities. The school offers a rigorous academic program with specialized academies in STEM and Business, complemented by 16 Advanced Placement courses. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, fine arts studios, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Providence Catholic emphasizes character development and service learning while maintaining strong college placement records. The school's athletic teams consistently compete at state levels, and extracurricular offerings include robotics, theater, and numerous clubs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Elwood, Illinois
What are the primary private high school options available to families residing in Elwood, Illinois?
While Elwood itself is a smaller village, families here have access to several highly-regarded private Catholic high schools in the surrounding Will County area. The most prominent options include **Joliet Catholic Academy** (co-ed) and **Providence Catholic High School** (co-ed), both located in nearby New Lenox. Slightly farther but still a common choice is **Benet Academy** (co-ed) in Lisle. These schools are considered "destination schools" that draw students from Elwood and many surrounding communities. There are limited private elementary school options within Elwood's immediate boundaries, leading many families to consider these high schools or explore Catholic elementary schools in neighboring towns like Frankfort or Manhattan.
How does the enrollment and admissions process typically work for schools like Joliet Catholic Academy or Providence Catholic for an Elwood resident?
The process is centralized through each individual school. For 9th-grade admission, the timeline is crucial. Interested 7th and 8th-grade students from Elwood should attend open houses (typically held in the fall), take a mandatory entrance exam (usually the HSPT in January), and submit applications by early winter. Admissions decisions are released in February. Being from Elwood does not confer a geographic preference; admission is competitive and based on entrance exam scores, elementary school grades, and conduct. It is highly recommended to engage with the admissions office early, as spaces are limited and a strong applicant pool comes from across the region.
What are the tuition costs and available financial aid options for private high schools near Elwood, IL?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like Joliet Catholic Academy and Providence Catholic High School is approximately $12,000 - $14,000 annually. Benet Academy's tuition is slightly higher. It's important for Elwood parents to budget for additional costs like registration fees, textbooks, technology fees, and extracurricular activities. Financial aid is primarily need-based and accessed through a third-party service like FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Each school has its own aid budget, and applications are due in the spring prior to enrollment. Additionally, the **Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program** (Invest in Kids Act) can provide significant assistance to eligible families, though funding is limited and application timing is critical.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs draw Elwood students to these private schools?
These schools are known for robust college-preparatory curricula alongside distinctive programs. **Joliet Catholic Academy** has a renowned Theology program and exceptional athletic traditions, particularly in football and wrestling. **Providence Catholic** offers strong STEM initiatives, a respected Business Institute, and extensive fine arts. **Benet Academy** is recognized for its rigorous academics across the board, high standardized test scores, and prestigious literary magazine. For Elwood students interested in specific pathways like engineering, performing arts, or theology, these program strengths are a major draw compared to the general curriculum of the local public high school.
As an Elwood parent, how do I navigate the transportation logistics for my child attending a private school outside the district?
This is a key practical consideration. Public school district transportation is generally not provided for private school students outside Elwood's boundaries. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation, which often leads to carpooling networks with other Elwood families attending the same school. All three major schools (**Joliet Catholic, Providence Catholic, and Benet Academy**) have parent associations that can help connect you with carpools. Some families also utilize private bus services that may establish routes from central Will County locations. The commute can range from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the school and traffic, so planning for transportation is an essential part of the decision-making process.
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