#1 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Trinity High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Chicago, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls316 students11 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Private schools in Chicago, IL with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 144 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Gems World Academy Chicago
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 82% of independent schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade196 students3 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Frances Xavier Warde School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 93% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade745 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Daystar Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the most diverse private schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade271 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
The Latin School of Chicago
Independent school · Grades K–4
Smaller classes than 84% of independent schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade371 students5 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Mount Carmel High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
94% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Chicago, IL
A+Overall gradeAll boys588 students11 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Northside Catholic Academy
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 75% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade267 students10 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Old St. Marys School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade419 students8 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Intercultural Montessori Language School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 67% of Montessori schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade133 students4 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Frances Xavier Warde School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 4–8
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade426 students9 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
St. Constance School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 76% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade116 students10 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 98% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls90 students5 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Depaul College Prep
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
One of the 3 largest Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade1,245 students11 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Lycee Francais De Chicago
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade687 students6 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
St. Edward School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 62% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade232 students11 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
St. Hilary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade109 students9 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
St. Jerome School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 82% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade104 students9 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Univ of Chicago Lab School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade1,946 students8 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Chicago Jesuit Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 3–8
Smaller classes than 88% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade246 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Altus Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 1–8
Smaller classes than 89% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade76 students8 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
St. Matthias School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Chicago since at least 2011
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade221 students12 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
German International School Chicago
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 73% of independent schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade135 students6 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Montessori Academy of Chicago
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–6
The smallest classes of any Montessori school in Chicago
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade72 students3 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Chicago, IL
Visitation Catholic School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 96% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade110 students5 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.