On the North Shore, public schools’ well-earned reputation for excellence is a big draw for potential newcomers when deciding where to live. However, alternatives to publicly funded schools have significantly grown in popularity.
According to consultant Imy Wax in Deerfield, “Interest in schools that cater to specific learning or religious requirements is at an all-time high.”
From parochial to private, military to Montessori, below are the characteristics of each kind of school, and why you might consider it for your child.
Boarding Schools
Boarding schools evoke images of leafy East Coast enclaves for privileged children of the rich and famous. Increasingly, though, boarding schools are contemplated for their focus on student independence, diversity and character development.
Positives:
- Very small class sizes
- Child is immersed in learning environment
Downsides:
- Your child doesn’t live with you and, as a parent, you have to have faith that the educators “parenting” your student share your values.
Cost: $40,000+
Local Options Include:
Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest
- Grades 9-12
- Average of 12 students per class
- 75% of teaching staff lives on campus
- Boarding students make up about 50% of student population
- Cost for boarding students: $47,000
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest
- Grades 9-12
- Girls’ only school
- Average student/faculty ratio is 8:1
- 38% of students practice religion other than Catholicism
- Cost for boarding students: $43,420
Schools for Therapeutic or Learning Disabilities
If your child has a learning or an emotional disability that public schools cannot adequately address, there are programs designed to meet the needs of these special learners.
Positives:
- 24/7 immersion to support social, emotional and academic needs
Downsides:
- Little interaction with students who are not outside the special needs community
- Choices may be limited to ISBE-approved options
Cost: Varies greatly, and many are ISBE-approved for tuition reimbursement.
Local Options Include:
Hyde Park Day School, Northfield
- Ages 6-15
- For students with moderate to severe learning disabilities who are average or above-average intelligence
- Tuition: upon request
Brehm Prepatory School, Carbondale, IL
- Grades 6-12
- For youngsters with complex learning disabilities
- Holistic approach to meeting students’ academic, social and emotional needs
- 24/7 supportive learning community
- 90 students annually attend; staff at about 150 professionals
- Cost for boarding students: $66,900
Montcalm School for Boys and Girls, Albion, MI
- Boys ages 12-21; Girls ages 12-18
- Therapeutic focus on students with learning and behavioral issues
- No more than 15 students per class
- Limited interaction between girls and boys
- Cost for boarding students: $8,500 per month
Military Schools
Attention! For families interested in combining education with military experience, military boarding schools are a good choice.
Positives:
- Provide disciplined environment with focus on teamwork
Downsides:
- The rigors of military-style life aren’t for everyone
Cost: $33,000+
Local Options Include:
Culver Military Academy/Culver Girls Academy, Culver, Indiana
- Grades 9-12
- Student/teacher ratio is 9:1
- Average class size is 12-13 students
- Significant focus on leadership, citizenship and tradition
- Cost for boarding students: $39,000
St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield, WI
- Grades 7-12
- An all-male academy, St. John’s also offers a one-year Post-High School program
- Highly-structured environment
- Strong military component with rifle guards, color guard and fitness challenges
- Cost for boarding students: $33,500
Montessori Schools
Based on the teachings of Italian Dr. Maria Montessori, the core concept is that children learn best when engaging all of their senses and moving freely about to “teach” themselves.
Positives:
- Community-building and peer learning are integrated in lessons
- Full-year and school-year-only options widely available
Downsides:
- The relative freedom allowed students may not meet parental expectations for elementary school or be a good fit for youngsters who benefit from more structure.
Cost: $13,000 +
Local Options Include:
Chiaravalle Montessori School, Evanston
- Grades K – 8
- School year only, tuition depending on grade: $15,050 – 16,420
Countryside Montessori School, Northbrook
- Grades K – 6
- School year tuition: $15,400; full-year, $21,400
Lake Forest Montessori School, Lake Forest
- Grades K – 6
- School year tuition: $13,350 – 13,600; full-year: $17,775 – $18,025
Parochial Schools
For parents who want their child’s religious life to extend beyond home and weekend services, parochial schools provide a learning environment that embraces religious-based values and standards.
Positives:
- Great parent involvement
- Modest dress codes or uniforms
- Continued religious learning
Downsides:
- Fewer extracurricular offerings
- Reduced likelihood of programs for special learners
- May not expose students to differing points of view
Cost: Varies widely but generally $12,000-$21,000
Local Options Include:
Chicagoland Jewish High School, Deerfield
- Grades 9-12
- Established in 2001, the school draws from 18 surrounding communities
- Tuition cost: $21,000
Loyola Academy, Wilmette
- Grades 9-12
- Jesuit, co-ed school with 40% of students from Chicago, 60% from suburbs
- Tuition cost: $13,725
MCC Full-Time School, Morton Grove
- Grades K – 8
- Islamic and general studies, with Arabic language teachings
- Tuition costs: grades K-5, $4705; grades 6-8, $4905
Northridge Preparatory School, Niles
- Grades 6-12
- Boys’ only Catholic school in the Opus Dei tradition
- Tuition cost: grades 6-8, $9,325; grades 9-12, $13350
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Glenview
- Grades K-8
- Largest Catholic elementary school in the Chicago Archdiocese
- Tuition cost: Kindergarten $4,240-6,530, grades 1-8 $4,990-6,530
Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette
- Grades 9-12
- Girls’ only Catholic school
- Tuition cost: approx. $12,000
Solomon Schechter Day School, Northbrook
- Grades K-8
- Judaic and General studies curriculum
- Tuition cost: grades K-4, $17,250; grades 5-8, $17,600
Private Day Schools
Whether you’re a product of private schools yourself, aren’t thrilled with your public school options or just like the idea of a more selective setting, private schools are thriving. However, their growing popularity is making it increasingly difficult to gain admission.
Positives:
- Small class sizes
- Everyone participates in extracurricular activities
Downsides:
- Little support for students with learning disabilities
- Breadth of academic options may be limited
Cost: Elementary $16,000-22,000; High School $23,000-35,000
Local Options Include:
Baker Demonstration School, Wilmette BL
- Grades Preschool-8
- A co-ed school, that was formerly part of National Louis University
- Class sizes for preschool are 10-12, and 16-18 for elementary and middle school
- Tuition cost: $3,000-$18,000 depending on grade
Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest
- Grades 9-12
- A co-ed day school with a boarding option; 50% are day students
- Average of 12 students per class
- Tuition cost: $34,700
North Shore Country Day School, Winnetka
- Grades Jr. K – 12
- Rigorous academics with participation in extracurriculars required
- Average of 8 students per class
- 500 students total
- Tuition cost: Jr. K – Sr. K, $10,650-18,100; grades 1-5, $22,200; grades 6-12, $23,400-25,800
Roycemore School, Evanston
- Grades K – 12
- Installed in its new location in late 2011, Roycemore promotes its diverse student body
- Current enrollment at 265 students
- Student/teacher ratio at 8:1, with average of 18 students per class
- Tuition costs: grade K, $15,500; grades 1-6, $16,350 – 21,275; grades 7-8, $23,125; grades 9-12, $24,425
