The Best Private Schools in Frankfort, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Frankfort. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. George School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. George School is a highly-rated Catholic elementary and middle school serving Frankfort families and the broader Tinley Park area. The school provides a comprehensive education from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and spiritual formation. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science labs, Spanish language instruction, and integrated technology. The school features modern classrooms, a dedicated STEM lab, art studio, and gymnasium. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, strong community atmosphere, and the school's commitment to developing well-rounded students through extensive extracurricular offerings and service opportunities.
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St. Mary School
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
St. Mary School in Mokena serves Frankfort families with a comprehensive Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade. The school is recognized for its strong academic program that includes advanced math tracks, comprehensive science curriculum, and technology integration across all grade levels. The campus features recently updated facilities including smart classrooms, a science lab, computer lab, and extensive library resources. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, music programs, and academic clubs. Parent reviews consistently highlight the caring faculty, strong community values, and excellent preparation for high school.
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Providence Catholic High School
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
Providence Catholic High School is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic college preparatory school serving Frankfort and the surrounding communities. With over a century of educational excellence, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM program. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic complexes. Students benefit from a 14:1 student-teacher ratio and consistently achieve high college acceptance rates. The school emphasizes character development through faith-based education and offers over 60 clubs and activities alongside competitive athletic programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Frankfort, Illinois
What are the main private school options available for families in Frankfort, Illinois, and what grade levels do they serve?
Frankfort, IL, offers a few key private school options, primarily with a Catholic affiliation. **Providence Catholic High School** serves grades 9-12 and is a regional draw. For younger students, **St. George School** (Pre-K through 8th grade) and **St. Mary School** (Pre-K through 8th grade) are the primary parish-based elementary schools in the area. It's important to note that Frankfort does not have a large number of independent, non-sectarian private schools within its immediate borders, so families often also consider schools in neighboring towns like Mokena, New Lenox, or Tinley Park for a wider variety of educational philosophies.
How does the tuition for private schools in Frankfort, IL, typically work, and are there financial aid options specific to Illinois?
Tuition at Frankfort's Catholic schools varies by grade level and parish affiliation. For parish schools like St. George and St. Mary, registered and contributing parishioners often receive a significantly reduced tuition rate compared to non-parishioners. Providence Catholic High School has a separate tuition schedule. Annual tuition can range from approximately $5,000 to $15,000+ depending on the school and student status. Importantly, Illinois offers the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides need-based scholarships for students to attend private schools. All three Frankfort-area schools participate in this program, and families should apply early as funds are limited. Additionally, many schools offer parish-based aid and flexible payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Frankfort area that distinguish them from local public schools?
Frankfort's private schools leverage their specific missions to offer distinctive programs. **Providence Catholic** is known for its strong college-prep curriculum, extensive athletic programs (competing in the Chicago Catholic League), and faith-based service requirements. The elementary schools, like **St. George** and **St. Mary**, integrate religious education daily and often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. A notable feature of these schools is their tight-knit, community-oriented environment, with many activities involving entire families. While Frankfort School District 157-C public schools are highly rated, the private options provide a values-based education with a consistent ethical framework from preschool through high school.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Frankfort, Illinois?
The process for Frankfort-area private schools generally begins a full year in advance. For **Providence Catholic**, 8th-grade students typically take a placement exam in the fall/winter (often the HSPT) for enrollment the following fall. Open houses are held in the autumn. For the elementary schools (**St. George** and **St. Mary**), priority registration for existing families and registered parishioners usually opens in January or February for the next academic year. Open enrollment for new families follows. Key steps include submitting an application, providing sacramental and academic records, and often an interview or classroom visit. Sibling priority is common. It's crucial to contact the school's admissions office directly, as deadlines and requirements for parish verification can be specific.
For families moving to Frankfort, how do the transportation options for private schools compare to the public school system?
Transportation is a key logistical difference in Frankfort. Public school students in Frankfort School District 157-C are provided with bus transportation. For private school students, Illinois law mandates that public school districts provide transportation to private school students if they live more than 1.5 miles from their school and within the district's boundaries, but this service is often less direct. In practice, many families carpool or drive their children to Frankfort's private schools. **Providence Catholic**, being a regional high school, may have bus routes from specific pickup points, but door-to-door service is not typical. This is an important daily consideration for parents evaluating private versus public options in Frankfort.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Affordable Private Schools in Frankfort, IL for Your Child
When you begin searching for "affordable private schools near me" in Frankfort, Illinois, you’re likely balancing a desire for a values-based or academically rigorous education with the practical realities of your family budget. The good news for Frankfort families is that the local landscape includes several established private institutions that strive to make their offerings accessible, understanding that affordability is a key component of the decision-making process. It’s important to approach your search with a clear understanding of what "affordable" means in our specific community context, as it often involves a combination of tuition rates, financial aid opportunities, and the long-term value derived from the educational experience.
Frankfort is fortunate to host well-regarded schools like St. George School and St. Mary School at the elementary level, and Providence Catholic High School for older students. These institutions are pillars in the community, and their commitment to accessibility is often demonstrated through robust financial aid programs. When considering affordability, your first step should be to look beyond the stated tuition price. Most of these schools offer need-based financial assistance, and many have parish subsidy programs for active members of their affiliated churches, which can significantly reduce the cost for qualifying families. It is always recommended to schedule a meeting with the admissions or financial office to have a candid conversation about the full range of options available, as these can change annually and are not always fully detailed on a website.
Another local consideration is the structure of costs. Elementary schools like St. George and St. Mary often have a more straightforward tuition model, while a high school like Providence Catholic may have additional fees for technology, activities, or specific academic programs. However, investing in a K-8 foundation at one of these parish schools can also lead to scholarship opportunities for high school, creating a more affordable long-term educational pathway. Furthermore, the value of a private school in Frankfort extends beyond academics; it includes the close-knit community environment, the emphasis on character development, and the convenience of a local institution where your children are learning alongside neighbors and friends.
Ultimately, finding an affordable private school near you in Frankfort is an active process. We encourage parents to visit these schools, feel the community atmosphere, and ask detailed questions about tuition, fees, and every form of financial aid. The initial investment of time can reveal opportunities that make an excellent private education a realistic possibility for your family. Remember, affordability is not just about the lowest price tag, but about the return on investment in your child’s future and finding a school that aligns with your family’s values and educational goals without creating undue financial strain. The resources exist within our Frankfort community to help make that balance achievable.
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