The Best Private Schools in Homewood, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Homewood. 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 serving the Homewood-Flossmoor community since 1953. The school offers a comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. Their curriculum includes advanced STEM programs, fine arts, competitive athletics, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school features modern facilities including updated classrooms, science labs, and technology resources. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, strong community atmosphere, and the school's ability to prepare students for success in high school and beyond.
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St. Joseph School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. Joseph School is a longstanding Catholic elementary school located directly in Homewood, serving students from preschool through 8th grade. Founded in 1928, the school has nearly a century of educational excellence in the community. The curriculum emphasizes strong foundational skills in mathematics and language arts while integrating technology throughout all grade levels. The school offers a comprehensive music program, competitive sports teams, and various clubs and activities. Parents appreciate the small class sizes, individualized attention, and the strong sense of community. The school is known for its rigorous academic preparation and values-based education.
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Marian Catholic High School
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
Marian Catholic High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory high school serving the Homewood area and surrounding communities since 1958. The school offers a rigorous academic program with numerous Advanced Placement courses, a dedicated STEM Academy, and exceptional fine arts programs including nationally-recognized music and theater departments. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. With a strong focus on college readiness, Marian Catholic consistently sees graduates accepted to top universities nationwide. The school maintains a diverse student body and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletic teams, academic competitions, and service organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Homewood, Illinois
What are the main types of private schools available in Homewood, Illinois, and how do they differ?
Homewood, IL, offers a distinct mix of private schools primarily centered on faith-based education. Your main options include parish-based elementary schools like Infant Jesus of Prague School (pre-K through 8) and St. Joseph School (pre-K through 8), which provide a Catholic education integrated with parish life. For high school, Marian Catholic High School in nearby Chicago Heights is a major destination, offering a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum. Unlike some larger cities, Homewood does not have a secular independent day school within its immediate borders, making the local Catholic schools the dominant private option. Parents seeking non-religious or alternative pedagogies (like Montessori) often look to neighboring communities such as Flossmoor or Chicago.
How does tuition for private schools in Homewood, IL, typically work, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition at Homewood's private schools is set by each institution. For the parish schools (Infant Jesus of Prague and St. Joseph), active members of the supporting parish typically receive a significantly reduced "parishioner" tuition rate. Non-parishioner rates are higher. Marian Catholic High School has a separate tuition schedule. All schools offer payment plans. For financial aid, Illinois residents can benefit from the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides need-based scholarships funded by donations from individuals and businesses who receive a state tax credit. Additionally, all three schools have their own need-based financial aid and scholarship funds. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as deadlines often precede the enrollment deadline.
What are the enrollment timelines and key deadlines for private schools in the Homewood area?
Enrollment timelines in Homewood are critical due to limited seats, especially in the popular elementary schools. Typically, **re-registration for current families** begins in January or February for the following academic year. **Open enrollment for new families** often starts in early spring (March/April). For Marian Catholic High School, the application process for incoming freshmen usually begins in the fall of a student's 8th-grade year, with entrance exams held in the winter. Many families attend open houses in the fall to inform their decisions. Waiting lists are common, so initiating contact by the winter prior to desired enrollment is highly recommended. Specific dates vary yearly, so checking each school's website in September is the best practice.
Beyond religious instruction, what unique academic or extracurricular programs do Homewood-area private schools offer?
While grounded in faith, Homewood's private schools offer robust programs to compete in the south suburban landscape. Marian Catholic is renowned for its **Performing Arts Department**, particularly its nationally recognized Spartan Choir and band programs. Academically, it offers a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. At the elementary level, schools like St. Joseph and Infant Jesus of Prague emphasize STEM initiatives, often with dedicated labs or coding programs, and have strong community service components. Given Homewood's proximity to Chicago, many schools incorporate field trips and cultural resources from the city into their curricula. Athletics are also a significant focus, with Marian Catholic competing in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
For a family moving to Homewood, how do the local private schools compare to the highly-rated Homewood-Flossmoor public school district (District 233)?
This is a key consideration. The Homewood-Flossmoor High School district is consistently ranked among the top public schools in Illinois, offering immense academic, athletic, and extracurricular resources. Choosing a private path in Homewood is less about escaping a struggling district and more about seeking a specific educational environment. The private option provides a **values-based education with religious formation**, smaller class sizes, and a consistent K-8 community in the parish schools. For high school, Marian Catholic offers a competitive alternative to H-F with a distinct identity and a different peer group. The decision often hinges on a family's priority for faith integration, preferred school size, and whether they want a continuous private education from elementary through high school versus transitioning to an elite public high school.
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