Parenting is one difficult decision after another — and few are more important that choosing where to send your child to school. To help you made the right educational choice for your kids, we’ve compiled a robust guide with resources, directories, and expert tips. Here, we highlight some of the best private schools in Chicago and the North Shore.
For the complete listing of top private schools, check out our Private School Guide.
Private Schools
Countryside Day School
Education can be more than academics. We strive to develop the character skills students need for success in the classroom and beyond their school years. Through our experience- driven approach, we promote respect, responsibility and resourcefulness.
1985 Pfingsten Rd, Northbrook, IL, 60062
847-498-1105
Fusion Academy
Fusion Academy is an accredited private middle and high school where all classes are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. In a one-to-one classroom, the teacher truly gets to know your student and can personalize the course material to their strengths, interests, and learning preferences. Our thoughtfully designed approach of love, motivate, teach, sets a strong foundation of trust and understanding, and we see student engagement and interest in learning soar when students feel seen, heard, and known. Outside the classroom, we’re able to support social growth in our Homework Café, and through clubs, student meetings, field trips, and more.
Students can attend Fusion Academy full-time for middle or high school, take a class for credit, or utilize our tutoring services any time of the year. No matter what you’re looking for, Fusion Academy is ready to customize a program that works best for your child.
Fusion Academy Evanston
847 Chicago Avenue, Suite 200, Evanston, IL 60202
847-868-8693
Fusion Academy Lake Forest
840 S. Waukegan Road, Suite 224, Lake Forest, IL 60045
847-295-4039
Fusion Academy Lincoln Park
1440 N. Dayton Street, Suite 104, Chicago, IL 60642
312-763-6990
Fusion Academy Oak Brook
3041 Butterfield Road, Suite 200, Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-368-0824
Hyde Park Day School
At Hyde Park Day School (HPDS), our sole purpose is to help bright, first through eighth grade students who have learning disabilities reach their full potential. We believe students who receive the appropriate intervention can develop the skills necessary to keep pace in traditional classrooms. We achieve this by teaching our students how to leverage their significant strengths in areas that are difficult, and how to self-advocate for the tools that they need to be successful.
A Wilson® Accredited Partner, HPDS utilizes an integrated services approach, personalized curriculum, highly trained staff, and a 5:1 student-teacher ratio to prepare our students for successful transitions to mainstream public, private, or parochial schools in their home communities. HPDS serves 175 students at three campuses – Chicago, Lemont, and Northfield. More information can be found at hydeparkday.org.
1980 Old Willow Road, Northfield, IL, 60093
847-446-7025
Lake Forest Country Day School
Located on more than thirty acres of property, LFCDS offers programming for students aged two through grade 8 and provides a rich and diverse educational experience grounded in rigorous academics, arts, athletics, and social-emotional learning.
Drawing from more than 37 local communities, students across all grade levels have access to engaging learning spaces that include expansive Outdoor Classrooms, a 2800-square-foot Innovation Center, a newly renovated gymnasium, and a Performing Arts Center.
145 South Green Bay Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045
847-234-2350
JCC Chicago Early Childhood
Our discovery-based program provides the foundation for children to develop and grow while bringing Jewish values to life. We offer preschool, daycare and more for children 6 weeks to 5 years.
Our professional, nurturing educators help your family feel that Florence G. Heller JCC in Lakeview is your home away from home. From incredible classrooms to our beautiful outdoor space, your child will have endless opportunities to learn, play, grow and make friends that last a lifetime.
Our educators and full-time social services team are focused on social-emotional learning to build resiliency and help students adjust to our new world. Helping children understand and manage their emotions, feel and show empathy for others, establish healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions are the cornerstones of growing great people. The development of these essential skills helps mitigate learning deficits that children may have experienced during the pandemic!
Florence G. Heller JCC, 524 W. Melrose St. Chicago, IL 60657
773-938-8340
North Shore Country Day
When North Shore Country Day was founded in 1919, it was the visionary answer to a fundamental question: What matters most when educating a child? Since then, NSCD has continually refined its answer to propel the school’s educational model forward with purpose and passion, building a transformative JK-12 education.
At NSCD, we develop critical thinkers, collaborative problem solvers, and caring citizens of the world. We’ve spent over 100 years creating a culture where relationships catalyze learning. Where children learn to take risks and make their own connections from subject to subject, year to year.
Families of every background, from across Chicagoland, entrust us with their children’s education because here, every student is known, valued and empowered to become the amazing people they’re meant to be.
310 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL, 60093
847-441-3313
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
When you set foot on the campus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Glenview, you enter a place like no other – a vibrant 21st century Catholic School in an idyllic eight-building campus filled with Preschool – 8th Grade students.
OLPH School is dedicated to designing an individualized program of success for each child. Careful structuring of classes allows for every child to be known and loved while providing a broad range of learning opportunities in academic, visual and performing arts, athletics, service, and leadership.
We invite you to discover the distinction that makes our school an extraordinary place of learning. Explore our website. Tour the school. Ask questions. Become a part of Our Lady of Perpetual School: A Premier Private Education in the Finest Catholic Tradition.
1123 Church St., Glenview, IL, 60025
847-724-6990
Rose Hall Montessori School
Rose Hall Montessori School was founded 40 years ago with the mission to educate the whole child. Following the educational philosophy of Dr. Montessori, we provide a stimulating and nurturing environment that allows children to grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually; to reach their highest potential and gain a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
Rose Hall’s priority is to help each child become the person they are meant to be and to develop a strong sense of self and confidence. We work hard to provide a supportive, caring, and peaceful environment in which young children feel safe to explore, grow, learn, and become independent. Rose Hall recognizes the importance of early childhood skills such as cooperation, resilience, and empathy, as well as opportunities for academic excellence. Our teachers are dedicated to this process through meeting each child exactly where they are while nurturing the whole child.
1140 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
847-256-2002
Solomon Schechter Day School
For 60 years, Schechter has educated thousands of students poised for success academically, socially, and emotionally in high school, college, and beyond. Outstanding educators meet students where they are and provide them with the additional support and extra challenges they need to reach their highest potential as unique individuals and developing learners. Our students gain life-long skills and values, and are inspired to use their knowledge, skills, and creativity to enrich our world.
Today’s Schechter is a National Blue Ribbon school serving 400+ students at our Ginsburg Early Childhood Center in Skokie, and our Sager School (K-8) in Northbrook. Our students and families represent a wide range of Jewish observances and practices. Schechter is more than a school. Schechter is a community for life!
Schechter offers flexible tuition and bus service at no additional cost from stops in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, and Skokie.
3210 Dundee Road Northbrook, IL 60062
847-498-2100
St. Clement School
At Saint Clement, we engage each and every child in a challenging academic environment that empowers and inspires our students from Prek3 through 8th grade.
Upon graduating from Saint Clement School, our students enter high school empowered by their rich experience of faith, service and intellectual discovery.
Our students are compassionate leaders entrusted with a sacred responsibility to share their gifts, serve the common good and respond with confidence to the challenges each day.
“Saint Clement provides a strong, nurturing and safe community with high expectations for academic achievement. The junior high teachers excel and prepare the graduates to perform well at whatever high school they attend.”
We are proud to say Saint Clement school is the recipient of the 2020 National Blue Ribbon School Award.
2524 N Orchard, Chicago, Illinois, 60614
773-348-8212
St John’s Northwestern Academies
Nestled in the quaint Wisconsin town of Delafield is St John’s Northwestern Academies. For over a century now, our school has guided young people from all over the world toward a successful life of service and achievement, structuring our approach around four pillars: academic excellence; enriching spiritual and character development; and outstanding athletic programs. We pride ourselves in developing our students in all aspects of life, raising them to maximize their potential in whatever they attempt.
Daily life is thoughtfully structured to offer your child a full range of experiences from innovative learning in small classes; exciting athletics with facilities onsite; to deepening friendships. Our extremely experienced and dedicated staff are second to none and work tirelessly to ensure your child not only grows but soars! This is a place where leaders are formed. Come and visit us and seize the opportunity to propel your child towards all round success!
1101 Genesee Street, Delafield, Wisconsin, 5301
262-646-3311
Tutoring
Academic Approach
It’s a new school year, which means new classes, new teachers, new skills, and new stresses for your students. College entrance exams may be the last thing on their minds right now, but it should be on yours. We know that students with the best growth scores on the ACT or SAT prepare well in advance of test day. They plan around coursework and extracurricular schedules. They put in the work over time. Make sure your child is in the best position to succeed on the ACT or SAT. Contact Academic Approach for a free consultation!
144 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL, 60093
773-348-8914
