The Best Private Schools in Lansing, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lansing. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Ann School
Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Ann School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school serving the Lansing community for over 70 years. The school offers a comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty, robust STEM programs, fine arts education, and competitive athletic teams. The school maintains small class sizes and has consistently high parent satisfaction ratings for its nurturing environment and strong community involvement.
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Providence Catholic High School
Diocese of Joliet
Providence Catholic High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Lansing and surrounding communities. Located approximately 20 minutes from Lansing, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement and honors courses. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Known for its strong community values and excellent college placement record, Providence Catholic maintains high academic standards and offers diverse extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports, clubs, and service programs.
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Marian Catholic High School
Diocese of Joliet
Marian Catholic High School is a highly-respected private Catholic school located in nearby Chicago Heights, serving students from Lansing and the broader South Suburban Chicago area. The school offers both traditional college preparatory curriculum and the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. Known for academic excellence, Marian Catholic features advanced STEM laboratories, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The school boasts a diverse student body and strong community partnerships, with many graduates attending top-tier universities. The campus includes modern academic facilities, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lansing, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Lansing, Illinois, and what grade levels do they serve?
Families in Lansing, IL, have several well-regarded private school options, primarily with a Catholic affiliation. For elementary and middle school, **St. Ann School** (Pre-K through 8th grade) is a local parish school within Lansing itself. For high school, students commonly attend **Providence Catholic High School** in New Lenox (co-ed, grades 9-12) or **Marian Catholic High School** in Chicago Heights (co-ed, grades 9-12). While the high schools are not within Lansing's municipal boundaries, they are major feeder schools for the community. There are also a number of other private and parochial options in nearby towns like Dyer, IN, and Chicago's south suburbs, expanding the choices for Lansing residents.
How does tuition for private schools serving Lansing, IL, typically work, and are there any Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly by school and grade level. St. Ann School typically has a parishioner/non-parishioner rate structure. Providence and Marian Catholic High Schools each set their own comprehensive tuition. For the 2024-25 year, high school tuition in this area often ranges from $12,000 to $16,000 annually. A key Illinois-specific financial aid resource is the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**. While new scholarship awards are currently paused, existing scholarships are being honored, and it's important to check for updates. All schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Additionally, Illinois offers a 529 plan that can be used for K-12 private school tuition, allowing for tax-advantaged savings.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at the private high schools that Lansing students commonly attend?
The two major Catholic high schools drawing Lansing students are known for strong college-prep curricula and distinct specializations. **Marian Catholic High School** has a nationally recognized performing arts program, particularly in music and theater, alongside robust STEM offerings. **Providence Catholic High School** is known for its acclaimed athletics program (especially football and basketball) and offers a comprehensive STEM curriculum, including engineering pathways. Both schools offer numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses, honors tracks, and a wide array of clubs and activities. This allows Lansing families to choose a school culture that best fits their child's strengths in academics, arts, or athletics.
What is the typical enrollment and admissions timeline for private schools like St. Ann, Providence, and Marian Catholic for Lansing families?
Timelines are crucial for planning. For **St. Ann School**, the re-registration for current families usually occurs in January-February, with open enrollment for new families beginning in early spring for the following fall. The high schools have more structured processes. **Providence Catholic** and **Marian Catholic** typically hold open houses in the fall (September-October) for 8th-grade students. Entrance exams (like the HSPT) are usually scheduled for November or December. Application deadlines often fall in early winter, with acceptance notifications and registration completed by February or March. It is highly recommended for Lansing parents to attend fall open houses and check school websites in the summer prior to the application year.
How do the class sizes and community environment of Lansing's private school options compare to the local public school district?
Lansing's public schools (Lansing School District 158 and Thornton Fractional Township High Schools) are well-regarded, offering diverse programs. The key differentiator for private options is typically smaller class sizes and a faith-based community. At St. Ann School, class sizes are often 20-25 students, fostering close teacher-student relationships. The private high schools maintain average class sizes in the low-to-mid 20s, compared to some larger public high school classes. The environment at these parochial schools is explicitly values-based, integrating religious education and character formation. For Lansing families seeking this specific combination of rigorous academics within a faith-centered, close-knit community, the private schools provide a distinct alternative to the excellent, but larger and secular, public system.
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