The Best Private Schools in Westville, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
University of Illinois Laboratory High School
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Uni High, as it's commonly known, is an academically selective laboratory school affiliated with the University of Illinois that serves gifted students from across East Central Illinois, including Westville. This highly prestigious institution offers an accelerated curriculum for grades 8-12 with exceptional opportunities for advanced research, university course enrollment, and mentorship from UIUC faculty. The school features a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, extensive research facilities, and a track record of producing National Merit Scholars and Ivy League admissions. While requiring a competitive application process, it represents the pinnacle of academic excellence in the region.
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St. Paul's Catholic School
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
St. Paul's Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution serving the Westville area from nearby Danville. The school offers comprehensive Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years experience, robust STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and has consistently high academic achievement scores.
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Schlarman Academy
Diocese of Peoria
Schlarman Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving Westville and the surrounding Vermilion County region. The academy offers education from preschool through 12th grade with a rigorous academic curriculum that includes Advanced Placement courses, dual credit opportunities, and comprehensive college counseling. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, modern athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. With a focus on developing well-rounded students, Schlarman offers over 20 extracurricular activities and competitive sports programs while maintaining a strong Catholic identity and community service focus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westville, Illinois
What are the primary types of private school options available to families in Westville, Illinois?
Westville, IL, offers a few distinct types of private education. The most prominent are faith-based schools, like St. Paul's Catholic School (K-8) and Schlarman Academy (a Catholic high school in nearby Danville, serving many Westville families). There is also a highly selective public laboratory school, the University of Illinois Laboratory High School (Uni High) in Urbana, which is a tuition-free option for academically gifted students but requires a competitive application and commute. The private school landscape in Westville itself is limited, so many families also consider schools in surrounding Vermilion and Champaign counties, making transportation an important local consideration.
How does tuition for private schools in the Westville, IL, area compare, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Paul's Catholic School typically has tuition ranging from $4,000-$5,000 per year for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Schlarman Academy's high school tuition is generally higher, often between $8,000-$10,000. As a public laboratory school, Uni High is tuition-free. All private schools in Illinois, including those serving Westville, offer financial aid, often through parish subsidies (for Catholic schools), need-based scholarships, and the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships funded by donations from Illinois taxpayers. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds can be limited.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Westville residents?
Schools in the area provide specialized programs that leverage their unique missions. Schlarman Academy offers a college-preparatory curriculum with dual-credit courses through Danville Area Community College and a strong focus on STEM and faith-based service learning. St. Paul's emphasizes a foundational Catholic education with integrated technology and community service. The most distinctive program is at University of Illinois Laboratory High School (Uni High), which offers an accelerated, research-oriented curriculum for gifted students, including access to University of Illinois resources, independent study projects, and a subfreshman (7th-8th grade) program. For Westville families, these programs may involve commuting but provide opportunities not typically found in smaller public school districts.
What are the key enrollment timelines and processes for private schools serving Westville, Illinois?
Timelines differ by school type. For parish-based schools like St. Paul's, registration for existing families and parish members often begins in January for the next fall, with open registration for new families in early spring. Schlarman Academy typically hosts open houses in the fall and winter, with application deadlines in February or March for the following academic year. The process for University of Illinois Laboratory High School is highly competitive and early; applications are usually due in December for entrance testing the following January, with decisions by spring. Given the limited seats, especially at Uni High and popular parish schools, initiating inquiries a full year in advance is a common and recommended practice for Westville parents.
How do private school choices for Westville families compare to the local public school, Westville Junior/Senior High School?
The choice often centers on educational approach, class size, and religious affiliation. Westville Public Schools (District #2) provide a solid, comprehensive K-12 education with the convenience of a local community school and extracurriculars like athletics and agriculture programs. Private options offer alternatives: a structured, values-based education with smaller class sizes (St. Paul's, Schlarman), or an intensely academic, accelerated environment for gifted learners (Uni High). For many Westville families, the decision involves weighing the commute to Danville or Urbana against the specific benefits of private education. Financially, it's a comparison of "free" public education with local taxes versus tuition investment for a specialized private setting.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Schools in Westville, IL: A Parent's Guide
If you're a parent in Westville, Illinois, typing "private schools around me" into a search bar, you're likely at the beginning of a meaningful journey. You're not just looking for a school; you're looking for the right educational environment for your child, one that aligns with your family's values, academic aspirations, and logistical needs. Fortunately, the Westville area offers a distinctive mix of private institutions, each with its own character and strengths, providing local families with meaningful choices beyond the public school system.
Understanding the local landscape is key. Westville, with its close-knit community feel and proximity to larger hubs like Danville and Champaign-Urbana, presents a unique scenario. Your search for "private schools around me" might lead you to consider the foundational environment of St. Paul's Catholic School right here in town. This option provides a faith-based education rooted in community tradition, often appealing to families seeking a structured, values-centered environment from a young age, with the convenience of a very short commute. It represents the classic local private school model, deeply integrated into the town's fabric.
For many families, the search expands slightly to include regional standouts. A short drive away, Schlarman Academy in Danville offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th-grade Catholic education. This can be a compelling solution for parents who want a consistent, single-campus journey for their children through all their formative years, eliminating future school transitions. It combines rigorous college preparatory academics with athletic and extracurricular programs that rival larger schools, making it a powerhouse option in the broader Vermilion County area.
Then there are the specialized opportunities that draw families from across the region. The University of Illinois Laboratory High School (Uni High) in Urbana is a prime example. As a publicly funded but selective-admission laboratory school, it occupies a unique space. For the academically exceptional and highly motivated student, it represents a top-tier option. The commute to Urbana is a significant consideration for Westville families, but for the right student, the access to university resources, a peer group of scholars, and an unparalleled curriculum can be worth the trip. It underscores an important point in your search: defining "around me" can depend entirely on the specific opportunity.
As you evaluate these options, consider the daily realities of life in Westville. Factor in commute times along Route 150 or I-74, especially during Illinois winters. Think about where your child's friends and community connections will be. Visit the schools, feel their atmospheres, and ask not just about test scores, but about how they support students socially and emotionally. Your search for "private schools around me" is deeply personal. Whether you prioritize faith, a seamless K-12 pathway, or an accelerated academic challenge, the good news is that the Westville area provides tangible, quality choices. Taking the time to understand these local nuances is the most important step in finding a school where your child will not only learn but truly thrive.