The Best Private Schools in Plainfield, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Plainfield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Benet Academy
Independent Catholic School
Benet Academy is a premier co-educational Catholic college preparatory high school serving students from Plainfield and surrounding communities. Operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey, the school boasts exceptional academic credentials with 98% of graduates attending four-year colleges. The curriculum includes 26 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM programs, and comprehensive arts education. The 57-acre campus features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Benet consistently ranks among the top private high schools in Illinois for academic achievement and college readiness.
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Providence Catholic High School
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
Providence Catholic High School is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic institution serving the Plainfield and greater Will County area. Founded by the Order of St. Augustine, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. The campus features modern STEM labs, extensive athletic facilities including a fieldhouse and stadium, and robust fine arts programs. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides personalized attention while maintaining rigorous academic standards that consistently produce graduates accepted to top universities nationwide.
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Wheatland Academy
Private Independent School
Wheatland Academy is a highly-rated private Montessori school serving families from Plainfield and the western suburbs. The school offers authentic Montessori education for students from preschool through middle school, focusing on individualized learning and holistic development. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and independent study skills within a nurturing environment. The campus features spacious classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and specialized areas for art, music, and physical education. Wheatland Academy is known for its strong sense of community, experienced faculty, and commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared for advanced academic challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Plainfield, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Plainfield, Illinois, and are they located within the town itself?
While Plainfield, IL, is a large and growing community, most of the top-tier private secondary schools are located in nearby towns. The most prominent options include **Providence Catholic High School** in New Lenox (about 15 minutes away), **Benet Academy** in Lisle (a 30-minute drive), and **Wheatland Academy** in Naperville (approximately 25 minutes away). For elementary and middle school, there are several local Catholic schools like St. Mary Immaculate and St. Elizabeth Seton within Plainfield. This means families in Plainfield often consider a commute for high school, valuing the strong academic and extracurricular reputations of these surrounding institutions.
How does tuition for private high schools in the Plainfield, IL, area compare, and what financial aid options are available through Illinois state programs?
Tuition for the leading private high schools near Plainfield typically ranges from approximately $12,000 to $18,000 per year. A key financial consideration for Illinois residents is the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**. This state initiative provides scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools, funded by donations from individuals and businesses who receive a state tax credit. While the program's future is subject to legislative review, it has been a significant source of aid. Additionally, each school offers its own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships, and many have active parish subsidy programs for affiliated Catholic families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by the private schools accessible to Plainfield students that differ from the local public school offerings?
The private schools serving Plainfield families often provide distinct programs rooted in their religious identities or specialized curricula. **Providence Catholic** and **Benet Academy** offer robust theology programs and campus ministry, alongside strong college-prep honors and AP tracks. **Benet** is particularly noted for its STEM programs and consistently top-ranked academic teams. **Wheatland Academy** emphasizes project-based learning and entrepreneurial thinking. Furthermore, these schools often have more centralized and competitive athletic conferences (like the East Suburban Catholic Conference) and arts programs, which can be a draw for students seeking a specific focus that may be larger in scale than some local public school offerings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools like Benet Academy or Providence Catholic for a student from Plainfield?
The process for these selective schools begins early, often in the fall of a student's 7th or 8th grade year. Key steps include: 1) **Open Houses** (usually held September-November), 2) **Entrance Exam** (typically the HSPT, administered in December or January), 3) **Application Submission** (due in early winter, including transcripts, recommendations, and sometimes essays), and 4) **Admissions Decisions** (released in February). For Plainfield families, it's crucial to plan for the entrance exam location and any required interviews. Many schools also consider feeder school status, so attending an affiliated Catholic elementary school can be beneficial but is not required.
For a family living in Plainfield School District 202, what are the main factors to consider when deciding between the highly-rated public schools and a private school option?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, environment, and specific student needs. Plainfield's public schools (District 202) are large, comprehensive, and offer a wide array of AP courses, clubs, and sports. Private options like those near Plainfield often provide a smaller, faith-based environment with a consistent college-prep focus across all students. Key considerations include: **Class Size** (private schools generally have smaller ratios), **Religious Education** (a core component at Catholic schools), **Tuition Cost** vs. property taxes, **Commute Time** to a private school, and the **School Culture**. Some families choose private for the specific disciplinary approach or community feel, while others value the diversity and no-tuition model of the large, well-resourced public system.
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