The Best Private Schools in Vernon Hills, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Vernon Hills. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lake Forest Academy
Independent College Preparatory School
Lake Forest Academy is a prestigious co-educational boarding and day school serving the North Shore communities including Vernon Hills. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement options. Features include a 150-acre campus, small class sizes averaging 12 students, and a diverse student body with international representation. The school emphasizes global citizenship and leadership development with extensive extracurricular opportunities in arts, athletics, and community service.
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Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Township High School District 125
Stevenson High School is consistently ranked among the top public high schools in Illinois and serves students from Vernon Hills. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with over 30 Advanced Placement courses. Notable features include state-of-the-art science labs, extensive athletic facilities, and award-winning fine arts programs. The school has received national recognition for academic excellence and innovation in education, with strong college placement records and numerous National Merit Scholars.
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Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Woodlands Academy is an all-girls Catholic independent college preparatory school serving Vernon Hills and the surrounding North Shore communities. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside traditional college preparatory courses. The 41-acre campus features modern science labs, performance spaces, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes leadership development, global perspective, and academic excellence with a 100% college acceptance rate and strong emphasis on women in STEM fields.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Vernon Hills, Illinois
What are the primary private school options serving families in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and are they located within the village itself?
While Vernon Hills is primarily served by highly-rated public school districts (Hawthorn District 73 and Stevenson High School District 125), several prestigious private institutions are in the immediate area. Notably, the schools you mentioned—Adlai E. Stevenson High School is actually a top-ranked public school, not private. The leading private options include Lake Forest Academy (a co-ed college-prep boarding/day school in Lake Forest) and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (an all-girls college-prep school in Lake Forest). Additionally, families in Vernon Hills often consider St. Mary of Vernon School (Catholic, K-8) in Indian Creek and various private academies in neighboring Libertyville and Lincolnshire. Most are a short commute away, as Vernon Hills itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses.
How does tuition for private schools in the Vernon Hills, IL area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the North Shore Chicago suburbs, including schools accessible to Vernon Hills, is significant. For the 2024-25 academic year, day student tuition at schools like Lake Forest Academy can exceed $40,000, while Woodlands Academy is similarly priced. Illinois does not have a statewide voucher or tax-credit scholarship program for private K-12 education, so aid is primarily offered directly by the schools. Most top private schools have substantial financial aid budgets funded through endowments and offer need-based grants. It is crucial to apply for financial aid concurrently with admission, submitting forms like the SSS (School and Student Services) profile. Some Illinois tax benefits, like the education expense credit, can offer minor relief for qualified expenses.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Vernon Hills, IL offer that differentiate them from the strong public options?
Private schools in this region often leverage their resources and specialized missions to offer distinct programs. Lake Forest Academy emphasizes global education with extensive study abroad opportunities, a strong advisory system, and a residential campus culture that includes weekend activities. Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, part of a global network, focuses on STEM leadership for young women, character-based education, and a rigorous Sacred Heart goals curriculum. These schools often feature smaller average class sizes (e.g., 10-12 students) than even the excellent public schools, allowing for highly personalized attention. Additionally, they may offer unique athletics, arts, or independent research capstones that are less common in a public school setting.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools near Vernon Hills, Illinois?
The process for schools like Lake Forest Academy and Woodlands Academy is highly structured and begins over a year in advance. The timeline typically starts in the summer or early fall before the desired entry year (e.g., Fall 2025 entry process begins Fall 2024). Key steps include: attending open houses (often in September-October), submitting applications by January deadlines, completing standardized testing (SSAT or ISEE), scheduling student interviews and visits, and submitting teacher recommendations. Financial aid applications are due concurrently. Admission decisions are usually released in March. For Vernon Hills families, it's important to plan for this early timeline, especially since the local public high school (Stevenson) does not require an application process.
For a family living in Vernon Hills, what are the key considerations when deciding between the acclaimed public schools and nearby private institutions?
The decision hinges on several factors unique to the Vernon Hills context. First, consider educational philosophy: Stevenson High School is a large, comprehensive public school (over 4,000 students) offering immense breadth in courses, clubs, and AP offerings. Private options offer a smaller, more intimate community with a specific mission (e.g., all-girls, global focus). Second, consider logistics and cost: Public school is tuition-free, while private school requires a major financial commitment and often a longer daily commute. Third, consider student needs: A student who thrives in a large, resource-rich environment with peer diversity may excel at Stevenson. A student who desires a tight-knit community, boarding options, or a particular pedagogical approach may benefit from a private school. Many Vernon Hills families choose the public pathway due to its exceptional quality, making private school a deliberate choice for a specific educational experience.
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