#1 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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 Illinois
Private schools in Illinois with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 579 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Ic Catholic Prep
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 82% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Elmhurst, IL
A+Overall grade371 students9 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#4 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#5 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Roycemore School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Evanston
Evanston, IL
A+Overall grade224 students5 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#7 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Rosary High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Aurora
Aurora, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls220 students11 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Illinois
St. Edward Central Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The largest Catholic school in Elgin
Elgin, IL
A+Overall grade207 students10 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#10 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Regina Dominican HS
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Wilmette
Wilmette, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls200 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Holy Family Parish School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 93% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Peoria, IL
A+Overall grade97 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Illinois
St. Teresa High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 7–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Decatur
Decatur, IL
A+Overall grade237 students9 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#14 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Noonan Elementary Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 95% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Mokena, IL
A+Overall grade191 students5 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#16 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#17 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#18 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Lake Forest Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The largest independent school in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, IL
A+Overall grade446 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Illinois
The High School of Saint Thomas More
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Champaign
Champaign, IL
A+Overall grade205 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#21 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls120 students5 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Illinois
Blessed Sacrament School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Belleville
Belleville, IL
A+Overall grade142 students10 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Illinois
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
#24 Best Private Schools in Illinois
St. Norbert School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Northbrook
Northbrook, IL
A+Overall grade123 students8 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.