#1 Best Private High 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 High Schools in Illinois
Private high schools in Illinois with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 121 schools.
#2 Best Private High 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 High 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 High 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 High 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 High 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
#7 Best Private High 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
#8 Best Private High 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
#9 Best Private High 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
#10 Best Private High 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
#11 Best Private High 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
#12 Best Private High 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
#13 Best Private High 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
#14 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
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
#15 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
Fenwick High School
Parish school · Grades 9–12
The largest Catholic school in Oak Park
Oak Park, IL
A+Overall grade1,024 students12 students per teacher
#16 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
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
#17 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
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
#18 Best Private High 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
#19 Best Private High 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
#20 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
Willows Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
The only Catholic school in Des Plaines
Des Plaines, IL
A+Overall gradeAll girls241 students9 students per teacher
#21 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
Loyola Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The largest of 344 Catholic schools in Illinois
Wilmette, IL
A+Overall grade1,947 students11 students per teacher
#22 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
Holy Trinity High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 61% of Catholic schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade292 students12 students per teacher
#23 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
Boylan Catholic H. S.
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The largest Catholic school in Rockford
Rockford, IL
A+Overall grade586 students13 students per teacher
#24 Best Private High Schools in Illinois
Marian Central Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Woodstock, IL
A+Overall grade294 students12 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.