The Best Private Schools in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rolling Meadows. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Cove School
Independent Special Education School
The Cove School is a nationally recognized private special education school serving students with complex learning disabilities from Rolling Meadows and surrounding communities. The school provides individualized academic programs combined with speech, occupational therapy, and social work services. Features small class sizes (6:1 student-teacher ratio) and specialized teaching methodologies. The campus includes therapeutic spaces, technology-enhanced classrooms, and vocational training facilities. Highly regarded for its comprehensive approach to supporting students with learning differences.
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St. Viator High School
Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
St. Viator High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving Rolling Meadows and the northwest suburbs. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 23 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM program. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and community service alongside academic excellence, with a 100% college acceptance rate. Student-teacher ratio is 14:1 with dedicated faculty holding advanced degrees.
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Quest Academy
Independent School for Gifted Children
Quest Academy is a premier independent school specifically designed for gifted students from preschool through 8th grade, serving Rolling Meadows and the northwest suburbs. The school offers an accelerated, project-based curriculum tailored to gifted learners with emphasis on critical thinking and creativity. Features include dedicated science labs, innovation spaces, art studios, and comprehensive technology integration. The faculty specializes in gifted education with small class sizes and individualized learning plans. Strong focus on developing the whole child through academic challenge and social-emotional support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
What are the primary types of private schools available to families in Rolling Meadows, IL, and how do they differ?
Rolling Meadows, IL, offers a focused selection of private schools, each with a distinct mission. Your main options include Catholic/parochial high schools like St. Viator High School, which provides a college-preparatory curriculum rooted in faith. There are also specialized institutions such as The Cove School, which is nationally recognized for serving students with complex learning disabilities. For gifted education, Quest Academy in nearby Palatine is a premier independent school for academically talented students. Unlike larger cities, Rolling Meadows itself has a limited number of on-campus private elementary schools, so many families also consider excellent options in surrounding Cook County suburbs like Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Barrington.
How does tuition for private schools in the Rolling Meadows area compare to the Illinois state average, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition in the Rolling Meadows area is generally at or above the Illinois state average for private schools, reflecting the high cost of living and quality of programs in northwest Cook County. For example, high school tuition at St. Viator is competitive with other Chicago-area Catholic schools. Quest Academy, as an independent school for gifted learners, commands a premium tuition. Importantly, most private schools in this region have robust financial aid programs funded through endowments and fundraising. St. Viator and Quest Academy offer need-based aid, while The Cove School may work with both private pay and public school district placements (ISBE funding) for eligible students with IEPs. Illinois also offers a tax-credit scholarship program (Invest in Kids Act), which can provide significant assistance to qualifying families.
What unique academic or support programs do private schools in the Rolling Meadows area specialize in?
Private schools near Rolling Meadows are known for targeted specializations. **Quest Academy** is exclusively for gifted children, with a curriculum designed for advanced learners, including robotics, innovation labs, and differentiated instruction. **The Cove School** offers a completely unique environment with a research-based curriculum, speech/language therapy, and social-emotional learning integrated into the school day for students with learning challenges. **St. Viator High School** provides strong college-prep with distinctive programs like its Engineering Academy, vibrant fine arts, and extensive AP course offerings. This concentration of specialized options within a small geographic area is a notable advantage for Rolling Meadows families seeking tailored education.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for top private schools like St. Viator, Quest Academy, and The Cove School?
The timeline is critical and varies by school type. For **St. Viator High School** (grades 9-12), the process for the fall typically begins with open houses in the prior September/October, with application deadlines in December or January. Entrance exams are usually held in January. **Quest Academy** (Pre-K through 8) often begins tours a full year in advance, with applications due in January or February for the following fall; assessment and student visits are key components. **The Cove School** has a clinically focused, year-round admissions process due to its specialized nature, involving extensive review of educational and psychological records, interviews, and student visits. For all schools, early inquiry is strongly recommended, especially for sought-after grades like kindergarten, 6th, and 9th.
For a family living in Rolling Meadows, what are the key considerations when comparing the award-winning public school districts (e.g., Township High School District 214) to local private options?
Rolling Meadows is served by highly-rated public elementary districts (e.g., CCSD 15) and Township High School District 214, which includes Rolling Meadows High School. The key consideration is whether your child's needs are best met by a large, comprehensive public school with vast resources, clubs, and sports, or a private school with a specific focus or smaller community. Private options may be chosen for religious education (St. Viator), a tailored environment for gifted learners (Quest), or specialized therapeutic support (Cove). Financially, it involves weighing property taxes that fund excellent public schools against private tuition. Many families also consider the private school commute, as some top options, while serving the area, are located in adjacent towns, requiring transportation planning.
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