The Best Private Schools in Hazel Crest, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hazel Crest. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Infant Jesus of Prague School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
Infant Jesus of Prague School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school located in neighboring Flossmoor that serves families throughout the South Suburban area including Hazel Crest. The school offers a comprehensive faith-based education from preschool through 8th grade with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and community service. Facilities include modern classrooms, science lab, computer lab, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and offers a robust curriculum including advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education.
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St. Joseph School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. Joseph School in nearby Homewood is a premier Catholic educational institution serving the Hazel Crest community with a tradition of academic excellence spanning over six decades. The school provides a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for high school and beyond, featuring advanced mathematics programs, comprehensive literacy instruction, and integrated technology throughout all grade levels. The campus includes modern classrooms, dedicated science and computer labs, a library media center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and commitment to developing well-rounded students through faith formation, academic challenge, and extracurricular opportunities.
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St. Emeric School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. Emeric School in nearby Country Club Hills serves the broader South Suburban region including Hazel Crest families. This Catholic school offers a unique educational experience with both traditional English instruction and an optional Hungarian bilingual program. The school maintains strong academic standards with a focus on STEM education, comprehensive language arts, and faith formation. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer lab, science laboratory, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its diverse community, strong parent-teacher partnership, and commitment to developing students who are academically prepared, spiritually grounded, and socially responsible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hazel Crest, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available within Hazel Crest, Illinois, and what are their educational affiliations?
Hazel Crest, Illinois, is primarily served by three parochial schools, reflecting the area's strong faith-based education community. The top options are Infant Jesus of Prague School (Catholic, PreK-8), St. Joseph School in Homewood (Catholic, PreK-8, serving the broader area including Hazel Crest), and St. Emeric School in Country Club Hills (Catholic, PreK-8). It's important to note that there are no independent, non-sectarian private schools physically located within Hazel Crest village limits. Parents often look to neighboring suburbs like Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, and Chicago Heights for a wider variety of independent, Montessori, or college-prep options, making geographic commute a key consideration for Hazel Crest families.
How does tuition at Hazel Crest area Catholic schools compare to Illinois state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the Catholic elementary schools serving Hazel Crest, like Infant Jesus of Prague, is generally below the Illinois state average for private elementary schools. For the 2024-2025 school year, expect base tuition to range from approximately $5,000 to $7,500 annually for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Critically, all three schools participate in the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can significantly reduce costs for eligible families. Additional aid is often available through the parish itself, diocesan grants, and multi-child discounts. Prospective parents should contact the school's office directly for the most current tuition schedule and to begin the financial aid application process, which is typically separate from enrollment.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Hazel Crest area that distinguish them from local public schools?
The Catholic schools serving Hazel Crest emphasize a values-based education integrated with core academics. Distinctive programs often include dedicated daily religion classes, sacramental preparation (First Communion, Reconciliation), and school-wide Mass participation. Academically, they typically offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students) than the local public districts, which allows for more individualized attention. While they may not have the extensive elective catalog of a large public high school (as they are K-8), they often provide strong foundational programs in STEM, music, and art. Extracurriculars like chess club, athletics (through the South Suburban Catholic Conference), and academic bowls are common. Their unique selling point is fostering a close-knit community environment with consistent discipline and family involvement.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a kindergarten student at a Hazel Crest-area private school like Infant Jesus of Prague?
The enrollment process for kindergarten in Hazel Crest-area Catholic schools usually begins nearly a full year in advance. Open houses and registration for the following fall typically occur between January and March. The process involves submitting a registration form, a non-refundable fee, a copy of the child's birth certificate, baptismal certificate (if applicable), and immunization records. Many schools also require a brief readiness assessment or screening for kindergarten applicants. Priority is almost always given to active parishioners of the supporting church and to siblings of currently enrolled students. Waiting lists can form quickly, so initiating contact with the school office in the fall prior to desired enrollment is highly recommended for Hazel Crest parents.
For a family living in Hazel Crest, what are the key practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private Catholic school?
The decision hinges on several Hazel Crest-specific factors. First is **cost**: Public schools (Hazel Crest School District 152.5) are tuition-free, while private schools require annual tuition, though financial aid can offset this. Second is **educational philosophy**: Public schools offer a secular education with diverse programs, while private schools provide a faith-based curriculum with moral instruction. Third is **logistics**: Public school attendance is based on residency within specific boundaries, while private schools have no geographic boundaries but may require a commute to a neighboring town. Fourth is **class size**: Hazel Crest private schools often boast smaller classes than the public district. Finally, consider **continuity**: The local private schools are K-8, meaning parents will need to research and apply for high school (typically a Catholic high school in the Chicago Southland) separately, whereas public education continues through 8th grade in-district.
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