The Best Private Schools in Maywood, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Maywood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Josephinum Academy is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school serving the Greater Chicago area, including Maywood. Founded by the Sisters of Christian Charity, the school offers a rigorous academic program with a strong emphasis on STEM education, character development, and leadership. The campus features modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and comprehensive athletic facilities. With small class sizes and individualized attention, Josephinum prepares students for top colleges while maintaining a diverse, inclusive community rooted in Sacred Heart values.
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St. Giles School
Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Giles School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school located in nearby Oak Park, serving families from Maywood and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong academic foundations in literacy, mathematics, and science. Features include technology-integrated classrooms, dedicated art and music programs, competitive athletics, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school community emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development in a nurturing environment with small class sizes and dedicated faculty.
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Fenwick High School
Dominican Friars
Fenwick High School is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory school serving the western suburbs of Chicago, including Maywood. Founded by the Dominican Friars, Fenwick offers a rigorous academic curriculum with exceptional college placement records. The school features state-of-the-art science and technology labs, extensive athletic facilities including a pool and field house, and comprehensive fine arts programs. With a strong tradition of academic excellence and competitive athletics, Fenwick prepares students for leadership roles in college and beyond through its challenging curriculum and values-based education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Maywood, Illinois
What are the main private school options available within or directly serving Maywood, Illinois, and what grade levels do they cover?
Maywood itself is home to a few key private institutions, notably the all-girls Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart (grades 9-12) and the co-educational St. Giles School (preschool-8). Just across the border in Oak Park, Fenwick High School (co-ed, 9-12) is a major option for Maywood families. This means local private education spans from early childhood through high school, though the high school choices are primarily single-gender or located in adjacent communities. Many families in Maywood also consider reputable private schools in nearby Oak Park, River Forest, and Chicago.
How does tuition for private schools in the Maywood, IL area typically compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Maywood area varies significantly. Elementary schools like St. Giles may have annual tuition in the $5,000-$8,000 range, while high schools like Fenwick and Josephinum Academy can exceed $15,000. These figures are generally in line with or slightly below the Illinois private school average, partly due to the area's mix of parish-affiliated and independent schools. Critically, all major schools offer need-based financial aid. Additionally, Illinois' Tax Credit Scholarship Program, Invest in Kids, provides income-based scholarships for private school attendance, which many local families utilize to reduce costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Maywood area that distinguish them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Maywood area often emphasize specialized programs rooted in their missions. Josephinum Academy, a STEM-focused college-prep school, offers a distinctive "Women in STEM" curriculum and a 1:1 iPad program. Fenwick High School is renowned for its rigorous classical curriculum, extensive athletics (Dominican athletic conference), and nationally recognized debate team. St. Giles School provides a faith-based education with Spanish instruction from preschool. These programs offer alternatives to District 89 public schools, often featuring smaller class sizes, religious education (if desired), and specific pedagogical focuses not available in the public system.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like Josephinum Academy or Fenwick High School for a family residing in Maywood?
The process for Maywood families typically begins a full year in advance. For high schools (Josephinum, Fenwick), families should attend open houses in the fall (Sept-Oct) of the student's 8th grade year. Application deadlines are often in December or January, requiring transcripts, teacher recommendations, and performance on a standardized entrance exam (like the HSPT). Elementary schools like St. Giles may have rolling admissions but encourage applications by early spring for the following fall. As these schools draw from a wide region, Maywood residents are encouraged to apply early and highlight their unique community perspective.
For a family living in Maywood, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (District 89) and area private schools?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to Maywood. District 89 offers a tuition-free, neighborhood-based education. Choosing a private school involves investment but may provide perceived stability, specialized curricula (e.g., STEM, faith-based), and often smaller class sizes. Transportation is a key logistical difference; while District 89 provides buses, private school families typically must arrange transportation, which for schools like Fenwick in Oak Park may involve a short commute. Families should also consider the community aspect: private schools can connect students to a regional network, while public schools anchor them in the immediate Maywood community. Evaluating academic outcomes, extracurricular needs, and budget is essential.
Private Education Insights
Understanding K-12 Private Academy Costs in Maywood, IL: A Parent's Financial Guide
For parents in Maywood considering the educational journey for their children, understanding the full scope of k12 private academy cost is a crucial first step. It's more than just tuition; it's an investment in a child's future that requires careful financial planning. The landscape here offers a range of options, from local parish schools to prestigious independent academies, each with a different financial model. While Maywood itself is home to institutions like the all-girls Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, many families also look to neighboring Oak Park for St. Giles School or to nearby Fenwick High School in Oak Park as well. This proximity to multiple communities expands choices but also means costs can vary significantly based on the school's mission, facilities, and operational structure.
When breaking down k12 private academy cost, tuition is the primary component. For elementary levels at local parish-affiliated schools, you might find annual tuition ranging from several thousand dollars, often with reduced rates for active parishioners. Independent academies like Josephinum, which offers a college-prep environment for young women, typically have a higher tuition reflecting their specialized programs and smaller class sizes. At the high school level, institutions like Fenwick, a Dominican Catholic college preparatory school, command tuition that aligns with its extensive academic, athletic, and extracurricular offerings. It's essential to contact each school directly for the most current figures, as these numbers are subject to change and often increase slightly each year.
However, the true k12 private academy cost extends beyond the tuition invoice. Parents must budget for additional fees, which can include registration, technology, lab, and activity charges. Uniforms are a standard expense at most of these schools, and for families in Maywood, factoring in transportation is key. While some schools offer bus services, others may require personal commuting, adding to the overall cost. Then there are the costs of participating fully in school life: textbooks, optional trips, sports equipment, and fundraising expectations. Many schools have active parent associations and annual giving campaigns, which, while voluntary, are often encouraged as part of the community commitment.
The important message for Maywood families is that the stated tuition is rarely the final number. Thankfully, financial aid and scholarship opportunities are widely available and can substantially offset the k12 private academy cost. Every school you mentioned—Josephinum, St. Giles, and Fenwick—has robust financial assistance programs based on demonstrated need. The process typically involves an application through a service like FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Additionally, the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, funded by donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), provides vital support to eligible families, making private education accessible to a broader socioeconomic range. Starting your research early, scheduling tours, and having candid conversations with admissions officers about total cost and aid possibilities are the best strategies. For parents in Maywood, the investment is significant, but with proactive planning, the transformative education offered by these academies can be within reach.
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