The Best Private Schools in Oak Lawn, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oak Lawn. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Michael School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. Michael School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school serving the Oak Lawn and Orland Park communities. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on academic excellence and faith formation. Features include modern STEM labs, advanced mathematics programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school maintains small class sizes with dedicated teachers and has a reputation for preparing students exceptionally well for high school. Facilities include updated classrooms, science labs, and extensive athletic programs.
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St. Alexander School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. Alexander School provides exceptional Catholic education to students from Oak Lawn and surrounding suburbs. The school serves Pre-K through 8th grade with a focus on academic rigor integrated with technology and faith formation. Features include one-to-one iPad program, comprehensive STEM curriculum, Spanish language instruction from early grades, and strong emphasis on literacy and mathematics. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and high parent satisfaction, with graduates consistently accepted into top Catholic high schools throughout the Chicago area.
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Victor J. Andrew High School
Consolidated High School District 230
Victor J. Andrew High School is a top-rated private Catholic high school serving the Oak Lawn area and surrounding communities. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement course offerings and a renowned STEM academy. The campus features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts center, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Known for its strong academic performance and high college acceptance rates, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence with numerous extracurricular opportunities including championship athletic programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oak Lawn, Illinois
What are the primary types of private schools available in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and what distinguishes them?
Oak Lawn, IL, offers a few distinct types of private schools, primarily Catholic parish schools and a private Catholic high school. St. Michael School and St. Alexander School are elementary/middle schools affiliated with their respective parishes, offering a faith-based education integrated with standard academics. Victor J. Andrew High School is a private, co-educational Catholic high school offering a college-preparatory curriculum. Unlike larger metropolitan areas, Oak Lawn does not have a wide array of independent secular or specialized private schools, making the local Catholic institutions the dominant private option. Parents seeking other educational philosophies (e.g., Montessori, non-sectarian) often look to neighboring suburbs.
How does tuition at Oak Lawn's private Catholic schools compare to the Illinois state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the elementary schools (St. Michael and St. Alexander) is generally below the Illinois state average for private elementary education, often ranging from $4,000 to $7,000 annually for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Victor J. Andrew High School's tuition is more aligned with the state average for private high schools, typically between $10,000 and $13,000 per year. A key financial consideration specific to Illinois is the availability of the "Invest in Kids" Act tax credit scholarship program, which can provide need-based assistance to qualifying families. All these schools also offer their own parish-based aid, tuition reduction for multiple children, and flexible payment plans.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at private schools in Oak Lawn?
While offering strong core curricula, Oak Lawn's private schools provide specific programs that cater to local community interests. Victor J. Andrew High School features notable college-prep Advanced Placement (AP) courses and robust athletic programs competing in the Chicago Catholic League (CCL). St. Michael and St. Alexander schools emphasize STEM initiatives, often incorporating technology labs and science fairs, alongside strong sacramental preparation programs. Given Oak Lawn's community focus, these schools also typically offer band, choir, and service-learning projects that connect students with local organizations, which is a distinctive aspect of their educational approach.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for Oak Lawn's private schools, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Oak Lawn's private schools usually begins in January for the following academic year, with priority given to registered parishioners and siblings of current students. For elementary schools like St. Alexander and St. Michael, families typically need to provide baptismal records, previous school records, and complete a parish registration form. Open houses are commonly held in the fall. While these schools are popular within their parishes, they do not always have extensive waitlists compared to private schools in downtown Chicago, but early application is still recommended, especially for non-parishioners. The high school (Victor J. Andrew) follows the Archdiocese of Chicago's high school application timeline, which includes an entrance exam.
For families considering both options, what are key differences between Oak Lawn School District 123/229 public schools and the local private schools?
The key differences lie in curriculum, environment, and cost. Oak Lawn's public schools (District 123 for K-8 and District 229 for high school) are tuition-free and offer a broad, secular curriculum with diverse elective choices and specialized services (e.g., extensive special education programs). The private Catholic schools offer a faith-based education with daily religion classes, generally smaller class sizes, and a consistent moral framework throughout the curriculum. They may have fewer elective options but provide a focused college-prep track. For many Oak Lawn families, the choice hinges on the value of religious education and community versus the no-cost, comprehensive offerings of the well-regarded public districts. Transportation is provided by the public districts for private school students, which is a significant local benefit.
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