#25 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
2026 lists
Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Private schools in Illinois with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 497 schools.
#26 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#27 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#28 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Mother Teresa Catholic Academy
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Crete
Crete, IL
A+Overall grade117 students11 students per teacher
#29 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#30 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#31 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#32 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
St. Andrew the Apostle
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Romeoville
Romeoville, IL
A+Overall grade144 students12 students per teacher
#33 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#34 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#35 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
St. Thomas More Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 60% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Elgin, IL
A+Overall grade145 students12 students per teacher
#36 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
St. Ambrose Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Godfrey
Godfrey, IL
A+Overall grade192 students8 students per teacher
#37 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
St. Thomas the Apostle School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, IL
A+Overall grade164 students9 students per teacher
#38 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#39 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
St. Mary Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 71% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Woodstock, IL
A+Overall grade125 students10 students per teacher
#40 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#41 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#42 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
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
#43 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Divine Providence School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 68% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Westchester, IL
A+Overall grade128 students11 students per teacher
#44 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
St. Walter School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 91% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Roselle, IL
A+Overall grade341 students8 students per teacher
#45 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Alcuin Montessori School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Montessori school in Oak Park
Oak Park, IL
A+Overall grade90 students3 students per teacher
#46 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Visitation Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 91% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Kewanee, IL
A+Overall grade82 students8 students per teacher
#47 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Lake County Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Christian school in Waukegan
Waukegan, IL
A+Overall grade142 students10 students per teacher
#48 Best Private Elementary Schools in Illinois
Quad Cities Christian School Elementary
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–5
Growing: enrollment up 141% since 2011–12
Moline, IL
A+Overall grade130 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.