The Best Private Schools in Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fort Sheridan. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Catherine Cook School
Independent
Located in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, The Catherine Cook School serves families from across the metropolitan area including the Fort Sheridan region. The school offers a progressive education focusing on academic excellence, character development, and community engagement. Features include dedicated STEAM labs, comprehensive arts programs, and Spanish language instruction starting in preschool. The school's urban campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities, with a strong emphasis on project-based learning and technology integration.
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Lake Forest Academy
Independent
Lake Forest Academy is a prestigious co-educational college preparatory boarding and day school serving the North Shore communities including Fort Sheridan. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The 150-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes global education and character development, with a diverse student body and small class sizes averaging 12 students.
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Roycemore School
Independent
Roycemore School in Evanston serves students from preschool through high school, drawing families from Fort Sheridan and surrounding North Shore communities. The school offers a challenging academic program with small class sizes, individualized attention, and comprehensive college counseling. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The school's urban campus provides access to Northwestern University resources and features modern classrooms, science labs, and collaborative learning spaces with a focus on developing critical thinking and leadership skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fort Sheridan, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and are they located within the town itself?
Fort Sheridan itself is a small residential community with no private schools located within its immediate boundaries. However, families in Fort Sheridan are part of the broader North Shore area and have access to several highly-regarded independent schools in nearby towns. The top options frequently considered include Lake Forest Academy (a boarding and day school in Lake Forest), The Catherine Cook School (in Chicago's Old Town), and Roycemore School (in Evanston). Most families commute to these schools, which are typically a 15-30 minute drive from Fort Sheridan, leveraging the proximity to Lake County and Cook County's educational resources.
How does the tuition for private schools near Fort Sheridan, IL, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are commonly available?
Tuition for the premier private schools serving the Fort Sheridan area is significantly above the Illinois state average for private education, reflecting their national reputations and North Shore location. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at schools like Lake Forest Academy or Roycemore often ranges from $40,000 to $50,000. Illinois does not have state-funded voucher programs for private K-12 education, but these schools typically offer substantial need-based financial aid packages funded by their endowments. Many families also utilize Illinois' 529 plan for K-12 tuition expenses, which allows for tax-advantaged savings withdrawals.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Fort Sheridan offer that leverage the local environment and resources?
Private schools in the Fort Sheridan orbit often utilize the cultural, historical, and natural resources of the North Shore and Chicago. For example, Lake Forest Academy's proximity to Lake Michigan and its forested campus supports environmental science programs and outdoor leadership. Schools like Catherine Cook and Roycemore integrate Chicago's world-class museums, theaters, and universities into their curricula through frequent field studies and expert partnerships. Additionally, the area's corporate and tech presence in nearby Deerfield and Northbrook facilitates robust STEM partnerships and internships for high school students, which is a distinctive advantage of this region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Fort Sheridan, Illinois families?
The enrollment process for the top-tier private schools in this region is highly structured and begins very early. For most schools, the application cycle for the following academic year opens in August or September, with deadlines for applications and financial aid requests typically falling between January and February. Key steps include standardized testing (ISEE or SSAT), school visits/interviews, and submission of teacher recommendations. Given the competitive nature, especially for entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade, families in Fort Sheridan are advised to start research and visits at least 12-18 months in advance. Many schools also host fall open houses, which are critical for demonstrating interest.
For a family living in Fort Sheridan, what are the key considerations when deciding between the high-performing public schools in District 109/113 and the nearby private independent schools?
This is a central decision for Fort Sheridan families. The public schools (e.g., Deerfield High School in District 113) are consistently top-ranked in Illinois, offering rigorous academics, extensive AP courses, and strong extracurriculars at no direct tuition cost. Choosing a private school like those mentioned often involves seeking a specific educational philosophy (e.g., progressive, college-prep boarding), smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), a more diverse or international student body, or specialized programs not available publicly. The decision also hinges on lifestyle: committing to a daily commute to a private school versus utilizing the walkable or short-bus ride to local public schools. Many families value the community aspect of their local public school, while others prioritize the tailored mission and niche opportunities of a private institution.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Pre-K Programs in Fort Sheridan, IL: A Parent's Guide
For families in Fort Sheridan, the decision to enroll a child in a private pre-k program is about much more than early academics. It’s an investment in a foundational educational experience that sets the tone for a child’s entire learning journey. Nestled within a community rich in history and surrounded by some of the North Shore’s most respected educational institutions, Fort Sheridan parents have access to exceptional early childhood options that emphasize individualized attention, developmental readiness, and a seamless continuum of learning. The choice for private pre-k here is often the first step in a long-term educational plan, one that can naturally lead into the esteemed elementary and secondary programs nearby.
When considering private pre-k in Fort Sheridan, the local context is crucial. Many families are drawn to the close-knit, community-focused environment that defines our area. A quality private pre-k program will extend that sense of community into the classroom, fostering strong partnerships between teachers and parents. Given the proximity to schools like The Catherine Cook School in Chicago or Roycemore School in Evanston, parents often look for pre-k philosophies that align with these institutions’ progressive approaches. This might mean seeking a play-based curriculum that nurtures curiosity and social skills, or a more structured program that introduces foundational literacy and numeracy in an engaging way. The goal is to find a pre-k that doesn’t just prepare a child for kindergarten, but instills a genuine love for learning.
Practical considerations for Fort Sheridan families include logistics and community connection. While Fort Sheridan itself is primarily residential, the surrounding towns offer several premier options. This means evaluating commute times to schools in Lake Forest, Highland Park, or Evanston, and considering how a pre-k’s schedule aligns with family life. Many parents value programs that offer extended day options, which are common in private settings, to accommodate work schedules. Furthermore, the social network formed in these early years often becomes a lasting part of your family’s community, with classmates potentially progressing together through the lower and middle schools of these established institutions.
Looking ahead, the path from private pre-k in Fort Sheridan can be remarkably smooth. A strong early childhood program can provide an ideal foundation for the rigorous academics and character development emphasized at schools like Lake Forest Academy. The focus on small class sizes and individualized learning in pre-k mirrors the personalized attention found in these top-tier private schools. For parents, starting the search early is key. We recommend visiting classrooms, observing how teachers interact with students, and asking detailed questions about curriculum and philosophy. Trust your instincts about where your child seems most engaged and happy. In Fort Sheridan, choosing a private pre-k is the first, thoughtful step in crafting an educational journey that can support and challenge your child from their earliest explorations all the way through their high school graduation.
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