#1 Best Private Middle 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 Middle Schools in Cook County, IL
Private schools in Cook County, IL with middle-school grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 211 schools.
#2 Best Private Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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
#7 Best Private Middle 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
#8 Best Private Middle 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
#9 Best Private Middle 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
#10 Best Private Middle 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
#11 Best Private Middle Schools in Cook County, 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
#12 Best Private Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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.