The Best Private Schools in La Grange, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in La Grange. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Ignatius College Prep
Jesuit Catholic College Preparatory School
St. Ignatius College Prep is a highly selective Jesuit Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from La Grange and throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The school offers a challenging academic program with 26 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 99% college matriculation rate. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, social justice, and character development within the Jesuit educational tradition. Campus facilities include modern science centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic complexes. The school offers over 70 clubs and activities alongside a comprehensive athletic program competing in the Chicago Catholic League.
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Nazareth Academy
Independent Catholic College Preparatory School
Nazareth Academy is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic college preparatory high school serving the La Grange area. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 23 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. Students benefit from small class sizes averaging 18 students, a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, and a 99% college acceptance rate. The campus features modern science labs, performing arts facilities, and athletic complexes. Extracurricular offerings include 26 sports teams and over 40 clubs and activities.
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Fenwick High School
Dominican Catholic College Preparatory School
Fenwick High School is a prestigious Dominican Catholic college preparatory school serving students from La Grange and surrounding western suburbs. The school offers both traditional college preparatory curriculum and the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Academic highlights include advanced STEM courses, comprehensive foreign language programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school maintains a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and features state-of-the-art facilities including science research labs, a newly renovated library, and modern athletic facilities. Over 99% of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in La Grange, Illinois
What are the primary private high school options available to families residing in La Grange, Illinois?
While La Grange itself is primarily served by its excellent public school districts (Lyons Township High School District 204 and elementary districts 102 and 105), families seeking private secondary education often look to nearby institutions. The most prominent options include Nazareth Academy (a Catholic, all-girls school in La Grange Park), Fenwick High School (a Dominican, co-ed college preparatory school in Oak Park), and St. Ignatius College Prep (a Jesuit, co-ed school in Chicago). These schools are accessible via car or public transportation from La Grange and have long-standing reputations for academic rigor and college placement. It's important to note that there are fewer private elementary schools directly within La Grange village limits, with many families looking to neighboring suburbs or Catholic parish schools.
How does the tuition for top private high schools near La Grange, IL, compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for the leading private high schools in the western Chicago suburbs varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at Nazareth Academy and Fenwick High School typically ranges from $16,000 to $19,000. St. Ignatius College Prep, given its location and facilities, is often higher, exceeding $20,000. All these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs. Illinois also has the Invest in Kids Act, which provides tax credit scholarships for eligible families, though funding is limited and application is highly competitive. Additionally, many schools offer payment plans. It is crucial to apply for financial aid concurrently with admissions, using platforms like FACTS Management, and to inquire directly with each school's financial aid office about their specific endowments and grant programs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near La Grange offer that differentiate them from local public options?
The private schools near La Grange often provide distinct programming rooted in their religious identities and specialized resources. St. Ignatius and Fenwick offer robust classical education frameworks with strong theology, philosophy, and service-learning components integrated throughout the curriculum. Nazareth Academy has renowned programs in STEM and women's leadership. All three schools typically feature a wider array of Advanced Placement (AP) or exclusive honors tracks, and often have more intimate class sizes than the large, comprehensive Lyons Township High School. Furthermore, their athletic conferences (like the Chicago Catholic League) and fine arts programs are highly competitive and well-resourced, offering opportunities that can differ in scope and focus from the public school experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools in the La Grange, IL, area?
The admissions process for schools like Nazareth, Fenwick, and St. Ignatius is highly structured and begins over a year in advance. The timeline typically starts in the summer before 8th grade with open houses and shadow visit opportunities. The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a critical component, usually administered on a specific Saturday in December or January. Application deadlines are often in early December, with decisions and financial aid awards communicated in late February or early March. It is common for families in La Grange to apply to multiple schools. We strongly recommend attending fall open houses, scheduling a student shadow day, and ensuring all application materials (recommendations, transcripts, essays) are submitted well before the deadline to be considered for the first round of admissions and scholarships.
For a family in La Grange, what are the key considerations when deciding between the high-performing public school (Lyons Township) and a private school like Nazareth, Fenwick, or St. Ignatius?
This decision hinges on several factors unique to La Grange families. Lyons Township High School (LTHS) is consistently top-ranked, offering a vast array of AP courses, clubs, and sports at no direct tuition cost. The choice for private education often centers on mission and environment: seeking a faith-based education, a specific pedagogical approach, or a smaller community feel. The commute is a practical consideration—LTHS is within the community, while private options require transportation to Oak Park or Chicago. Financially, you must weigh the cost of private tuition against the property taxes funding the exceptional public schools. Ultimately, it's about fit: visiting both LTHS and the private schools to assess where your child's academic, social, and extracurricular needs will be best met within the context of your family's values and budget.
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