The Best Private Schools in Willow Springs, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Willow Springs. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lyons Township School for the Deaf
Private Special Education School
Lyons Township School for the Deaf is a highly-regarded private special education school serving students with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities. Located just minutes from Willow Springs, this school offers comprehensive educational programs tailored to individual student needs. The school provides small class sizes with specialized instruction, speech and language therapy, and vocational training programs. With nearly 50 years of operation, LTSD has established itself as a leader in deaf education, offering state-of-the-art facilities including specialized classrooms, therapy rooms, and adaptive technology. The school serves students from preschool through age 22 and maintains strong community partnerships.
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St. Cletus School
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Cletus School is a premier Catholic elementary school located in nearby La Grange, serving families throughout the western suburbs including Willow Springs. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with Catholic values and faith formation. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive programs including advanced STEM education, fine arts, music, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, a library media center, gymnasium, and outdoor play areas. With over 70 years of educational excellence, St. Cletus maintains strong academic outcomes and high parent satisfaction ratings.
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St. John of the Cross School
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
St. John of the Cross School in Western Springs is a highly-rated Catholic elementary school serving the western suburban communities including Willow Springs. The school provides a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and faith formation. The curriculum includes advanced technology integration, Spanish language instruction from early grades, and robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports, band, and choir. The school features modern facilities with smart classrooms, STEM labs, a newly renovated library, and extensive athletic facilities. With nearly 70 years of operation, SJC consistently achieves excellent academic results and maintains strong community support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Willow Springs, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Willow Springs, Illinois?
Willow Springs itself is a smaller village, so most private school options are located in nearby communities, drawing from the Willow Springs area. The notable schools include St. Cletus School in La Grange (a Catholic K-8 school), St. John of the Cross School in Western Springs (another Catholic K-8 option), and the highly specialized Lyons Township School for the Deaf in La Grange. For high school, families typically look to private Catholic high schools in the broader western suburbs, such as Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park or St. Laurence in Burbank. The availability emphasizes the importance of considering commute times within Cook County and DuPage County.
How does tuition at private schools near Willow Springs, IL, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school's affiliation and grade level. For the local Catholic elementary schools like St. Cletus and St. John of the Cross, annual tuition for parishioners typically ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 per child, with higher rates for non-parishioners. The Lyons Township School for the Deaf, as a specialized non-public school, often has tuition covered by a student's home public school district via the Illinois School Code for children with an IEP. Illinois offers the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can provide substantial need-based financial aid for qualifying families at participating private schools, making private education more accessible for Willow Springs residents.
What unique or specialized academic programs are offered by private schools serving the Willow Springs community?
The schools offer distinct specializations. The Lyons Township School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive, language-rich environment specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, which is a rare and critical resource in the region. St. Cletus and St. John of the Cross offer strong traditional Catholic education with integrated faith formation, sacramental preparation, and often Spanish language programs. Many of these schools also emphasize STEM initiatives and technology integration aligned with Illinois learning standards. Given Willow Springs' proximity to major interstates, some families also opt for private schools in Chicago or other suburbs that offer International Baccalaureate (IB) or advanced college preparatory tracks.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private elementary schools near Willow Springs, IL?
The process for schools like St. Cletus and St. John of the Cross usually begins a full year in advance, with open houses held in the fall (October-November). Application deadlines are often in January or February for the following academic year. Priority is typically given to active parishioners, siblings of current students, and then new families. Required documents usually include birth and baptismal certificates, previous school records, and possibly a pastoral recommendation. For the Lyons Township School for the Deaf, enrollment is part of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) process through their local public school district, which can be initiated at any time based on need.
For a Willow Springs resident, what are the key considerations when comparing local public schools (e.g., La Grange School District 102/105) to private school options?
Key considerations include educational approach, cost, and community. Willow Springs is served by excellent public elementary districts (La Grange 102 and La Grange Highlands 106) and Lyons Township High School, which are highly rated and funded by local property taxes. Choosing a private school often involves a desire for a specific religious education, smaller class sizes, or a specialized program like that for the deaf. The financial commitment is substantial, whereas public school is tuition-free. Transportation can also be a factor; while public schools provide busing, private schools may require carpooling. Many families in Willow Springs value the community aspect, whether it's the tight-knit parish community of a Catholic school or the specialized support network of a school like Lyons Township School for the Deaf.
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