#1 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
2026 lists
Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
Private schools in Cook County, IL with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 211 schools.
#2 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
North Shore Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Winnetka
Winnetka, IL
A+Overall grade510 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
Roycemore School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Evanston
Evanston, IL
A+Overall grade224 students5 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#5 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#6 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#7 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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 Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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 Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
St. George School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Tinley Park
Tinley Park, IL
A+Overall grade128 students9 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#11 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
St. Norbert School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Northbrook
Northbrook, IL
A+Overall grade123 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#13 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#14 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#15 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
Everest Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 93% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Lemont, IL
A+Overall grade164 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
St. Germaine School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn, IL
A+Overall grade173 students12 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
Lansing Christian School
Calvinist school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 83% of Christian schools in Illinois
Lansing, IL
A+Overall grade90 students6 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
Christian Heritage Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
91% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Northfield, IL
A+Overall grade441 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
St. Catherine Laboure School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Glenview
Glenview, IL
A+Overall grade134 students10 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
St. Gerald School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Oak Lawn since at least 2011
Oak Lawn, IL
A+Overall grade233 students13 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
The School of Saints Faith, Hope & Charity
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 94% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Winnetka, IL
A+Overall grade222 students6 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, IL
St. Luke School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in River Forest
River Forest, IL
A+Overall grade247 students10 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Elementary Schools in Cook County, 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
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.