The Best Private Schools in Evergreen Park, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Evergreen Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Brother Rice High School
Archdiocese of Chicago
Brother Rice High School is a Catholic, college preparatory high school for young men located just north of Evergreen Park. Founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM academy. The campus features modern science labs, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, Brother Rice emphasizes character development and academic excellence, consistently achieving high college acceptance rates. The school serves students from Evergreen Park and surrounding southwest Chicago suburbs.
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Queen of Martyrs Elementary School
Archdiocese of Chicago
Located directly in Evergreen Park, Queen of Martyrs is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school serving preschool through 8th grade. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer labs, science labs, and a gymnasium. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and extensive extracurricular programs including sports, music, and academic clubs. Queen of Martyrs consistently prepares students for success at top Catholic high schools throughout the Chicago area.
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St. Laurence High School
Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Laurence High School is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory school located just minutes from Evergreen Park in nearby Burbank. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses and innovative career pathways in business, engineering, and health sciences. The campus features state-of-the-art science and technology labs, a newly renovated library, and extensive athletic facilities. With a diverse student body and strong community spirit, St. Laurence emphasizes academic achievement, spiritual growth, and leadership development. The school serves students from Evergreen Park and throughout the southwest Chicago suburbs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Evergreen Park, Illinois
What are the main types of private schools available within or directly serving Evergreen Park, Illinois families?
Evergreen Park, IL, is served by a strong network of Catholic private schools, which are the primary private option in the immediate area. These include parish-based elementary schools like Queen of Martyrs Elementary School and private Catholic high schools such as Brother Rice High School (all-boys) and St. Laurence High School (co-ed). While independent non-religious private schools are less common within the village boundaries, families often look to neighboring suburbs like Beverly, Oak Lawn, or Chicago for a wider variety of independent, Montessori, or other faith-based institutions. The local private school landscape is deeply integrated with the community's parishes.
How does the tuition for private schools in Evergreen Park, IL, typically compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the Catholic schools in Evergreen Park is generally at or slightly below the Illinois state average for private schools, reflecting their parish-subsidized model. For the 2024-2025 academic year, elementary tuition like at Queen of Martyrs often ranges from $6,000 to $8,000 for parishioners, while high school tuition at Brother Rice or St. Laurence is typically between $12,000 and $16,000. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and Illinois residents should actively apply for the state's **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides significant income-based scholarships to private schools. Parish subsidies and multi-child discounts are also common.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at the private high schools in Evergreen Park?
The private high schools in Evergreen Park offer distinct, robust programs. **Brother Rice High School** is renowned for its STEM-focused curriculum, including advanced engineering and computer science courses, and its legendary athletic programs, particularly in football and baseball. **St. Laurence High School** features a nationally recognized Viking Scholars Program for high-achieving students and a strong focus on college and career readiness through its Business & Entrepreneurship and Engineering pathways. Both schools offer extensive AP course options, vibrant fine arts, and community service requirements that leverage their Chicago-area location.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for Evergreen Park's private elementary and high schools?
Enrollment for Evergreen Park's private schools often begins a full year in advance. For elementary schools like Queen of Martyrs, registration for existing families and parishioners typically opens in January for the following fall, with open registration for new families in February/March. For the high schools (Brother Rice and St. Laurence), the process starts in the fall of a student's 7th or 8th grade year with open houses and placement exam dates (usually in December or January). Admission decisions are released in February. Key steps include submitting an application, taking a placement test, providing transcripts and recommendations, and often a family interview. Sibling and parish member status are considered.
For families considering both, what are key differences between Evergreen Park's public school district (SD 124) and its private school options?
The key differences lie in curriculum, environment, and cost. **Evergreen Park School District 124** is a well-regarded public K-8 system, with students then attending Evergreen Park Community High School (public). The public path offers a tuition-free, comprehensive education with diverse programming. The **private Catholic school path** provides a faith-based education with a consistent values framework from K-12, often with smaller class sizes. A major logistical difference is that the private elementary schools (K-8) feed directly into specific private high schools, creating a continuous pipeline. The private option involves significant tuition but may offer a more tailored college-preparatory focus and community continuity, while the public option leverages taxpayer funding and broader extracurricular diversity.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private High Schools Near Evergreen Park, IL: A Parent's Guide
For parents in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the search for “private high schools near me” is often driven by a desire for a strong academic foundation, a values-based environment, and a close-knit community feel. Our southwest suburban village offers a wonderful family-oriented atmosphere, and finding the right secondary school is a natural next step for many families. The good news is that Evergreen Park and its immediate neighbors provide several excellent private high school options, each with distinct characteristics to consider as you navigate this important decision.
Your local search will likely highlight some standout names. Right here in Evergreen Park, you have the all-boys Brother Rice High School, a Catholic institution with a renowned tradition of academic and athletic excellence. Just a short drive away in Burbank, you’ll find St. Laurence High School, which transitioned to a coeducational model and is known for its innovative Viking Future Prep program that emphasizes career readiness alongside college prep. While Queen of Martyrs is a stellar elementary school, it’s important for parents to know that many local families view it as a feeder into these excellent high schools, creating a continuous, supportive educational pathway from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
When researching “private high schools near me” from Evergreen Park, practical logistics become a key part of the conversation. Consider the daily commute along Central Avenue or Pulaski Road. Many schools offer busing or shuttle services from central locations, which can be a significant factor for busy families. Also, think about the broader community connection. These schools are not isolated; they are integral parts of the fabric of the south and southwest sides. Your child will likely be attending with peers from Oak Lawn, Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, and other surrounding areas, fostering a diverse and dynamic social environment that still feels local and connected.
The decision often goes beyond academics to encompass the school’s culture and mission. Visiting these campuses is crucial. Attend an open house at Brother Rice to feel the spirit of their brotherhood, or sit in on a class at St. Laurence to see their technology integration firsthand. Talk to current parents at local spots like the Evergreen Park Farmers’ Market or the Park District events—you’ll find a wealth of firsthand insights. Remember, you’re not just choosing a school for the next four years; you’re choosing a community that will support your child’s growth into young adulthood. The phrase “private high schools near me” takes on a deeper meaning here in Evergreen Park, where community ties are strong and education is valued as a cornerstone of family life. Taking the time to explore these local gems will help you find the perfect fit where your student can thrive academically, socially, and personally, all within the supportive context of our familiar suburban landscape.
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