The Best Private Schools in Oak Brook, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oak Brook. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Montessori School of Oak Brook
American Montessori Society
The Montessori School of Oak Brook is a highly regarded private institution offering authentic Montessori education for children ages 3-12. The school features small class sizes, individualized learning plans, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes practical life skills, sensorial education, language arts, mathematics, and cultural studies. The campus includes modern classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and specialized spaces for art, music, and physical education. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, nurturing environment, and strong academic foundation provided to students.
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Benet Academy
Independent Catholic School
Benet Academy is a premier co-educational Catholic college preparatory high school serving Oak Brook and the surrounding western suburbs. Founded by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with over 20 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM programs, and comprehensive fine arts offerings. The 57-acre campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, athletic facilities, and technology-enhanced classrooms. Benet consistently ranks among the top private high schools in Illinois for academic excellence and college placement.
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St. Francis High School
Independent Catholic School
St. Francis High School is a distinguished Catholic college preparatory school serving families throughout the western suburbs including Oak Brook. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing students with multiple pathways to academic excellence. The comprehensive curriculum is supported by outstanding facilities including modern science laboratories, a performing arts center, extensive athletic complexes, and technology-rich learning spaces. St. Francis is known for its strong community values, exceptional faculty, and outstanding college placement record with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oak Brook, Illinois
What are the primary types of private schools available in Oak Brook, Illinois, and how do they differ?
Oak Brook, IL, offers a distinct mix of private educational models. The most prominent types include faith-based college preparatory schools like Benet Academy (Catholic, Benedictine) and St. Francis High School (Catholic, Franciscan), which serve students from Oak Brook and surrounding communities with rigorous academics and strong athletic/arts programs. For younger students, The Montessori School of Oak Brook provides a secular, child-centered education based on Montessori principles. This means parents in Oak Brook can choose between traditional, structured religious education and progressive, independent learning philosophies, all within a short commute.
How does the enrollment and admissions timeline for top Oak Brook-area private schools like Benet Academy compare to public school registration?
The process for private schools in the Oak Brook area is significantly different and requires advanced planning. For high schools like Benet Academy and St. Francis High School, the admissions process for incoming freshmen typically begins over a year in advance, with open houses in the fall, entrance exams (like the HSPT) in December or January, and application deadlines in early winter. Acceptance decisions are made by February or March. This contrasts sharply with Oak Brook's public school registration, which is based on residency and occurs much closer to the start of the school year. For preschool/elementary options like The Montessori School of Oak Brook, rolling admissions may apply, but waiting lists are common, so early inquiry is essential.
What is the range of annual tuition for private schools serving Oak Brook, IL, families, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools in the Oak Brook area varies widely by grade level and institution. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high schools like Benet Academy and St. Francis High School have tuition ranging from approximately $16,000 to $19,000 annually. Private elementary and preschool programs, like The Montessori School of Oak Brook, can range from $10,000 to $25,000+ depending on the program and age. Importantly, Illinois offers the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides financial aid to eligible families (based on income) to attend private schools. Additionally, all the mentioned schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships, and Illinois' 529 plan funds can be used for K-12 private school tuition.
Beyond academics, what unique opportunities or environments do Oak Brook's private schools provide due to their specific locations and communities?
Oak Brook's private schools leverage their location in a major suburban corporate hub and their extensive alumni networks. Benet Academy and St. Francis High School, as large diocesan schools, offer unparalleled athletic competition in the Chicago Catholic League and extensive extracurricular programs that rival many small colleges. Their setting in the western suburbs provides access to Chicago's cultural and scientific institutions for field trips. The Montessori School of Oak Brook often utilizes the village's extensive park system and forest preserves for environmental education. Furthermore, the affluent and business-oriented community of Oak Brook can facilitate unique internship and mentorship opportunities for high school students through parent and alumni networks.
For families residing in Oak Brook, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district (District 53 for elementary, District 88 for high school) with private options?
The key comparison points are educational approach, class size, and student population. Oak Brook's public schools (District 53's Brook Forest and Butler Elementary) are consistently top-ranked in Illinois, offering a tuition-free, excellent secular education with high resources per student. Choosing a private school in Oak Brook often comes down to seeking a specific religious foundation (Catholic education at Benet or St. Francis) or pedagogical philosophy (Montessori). Private schools may offer smaller average class sizes and a student body drawn from a wider geographic region, which can diversify social circles. The decision frequently hinges on whether a family values the elite, localized public system or desires the mission-driven, often religious, community of a private institution, despite the significant financial investment.
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