Everyone dreams of one day having their wards in any of the best boarding schools in Chicago. The first step to bringing this dream to life is knowing the best boarding schools in Chicago 2024
Chicago is the most populous city in Illinois and the third most populous city in the United States, with a total population of 2.71 million. Despite this, it is home to the majority of illustrious boarding schools.
Enrolling your child in one of the best boarding schools will help you understand modern boarding schools and the relative worth of the boarding school experience. A large number of kids have traditionally called boarding schools in Illinois home.
Taking the stress off your hands, we’ll be diving into the 15 Best Boarding Schools in Chicago and everything you need to know to apply to these schools.
Are there boarding schools in Chicago?
There are boarding schools in Chicago depending on the category you are looking out for. They include;
- Lake Forest Academy
- Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Wheaton Academy
- Carmel Catholic High School
- Chicago Hope Academy
- Marian Catholic High School Amerigo Education
- Moraine Valley Community College
- Urban Prairie Waldorf School
- Francis W. Parker School
- Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
- Morgan Park Academy
- Carver Military Academy High School
- Saint Clement School
- DePaul College Prep
- Chicago Jesuit Academy
How Much Do Boarding Schools in Chicago Cost?
Boarding schools in Chicago usually cost from approximately $8,095/session to about $64,650/year. This tends to vary for different categories, like private and public schools.
Every boarding school in Chicago has a specific tuition fee, so it’s important to take note of the school’s tuition fee along the line. There are also some factors that might influence the cost of these boarding schools- expenses and the cost of living are two things to keep in mind while summing up your options.
Are There Affordable Boarding Schools in Chicago?
If you’re looking for a cheap boarding school in Chicago, then you’re right on track. You don’t necessarily have to break the bank to enroll your child in the best boarding schools in Chicago. These are some of the affordable boarding schools in Chicago:
- Chicago Jesuit Academy which is plainly a tuition-free school
- Carver Military Academy High School which is a tuition-free school
- Marian Catholic High School Amerigo Education with a tuition fee of $14,000/year
- Chicago Hope Academy with a tuition fee of $15,500/year
What are the requirements for boarding schools in Chicago?
When getting your ward into a boarding school, there are certain requirements that you would need to meet to ensure that you are in line with the standards of the school.
Here are the requirements for boarding schools in Chicago:
- Every applicant is required to pass the state exams (ACT/SAT).
- Must meet all financial obligations.
- Must complete the application form.
- Must pay the application fee.
- Must be of a certain age requirement.
- Must have all documentation in order.
What Are the 15 Best Boarding Schools in Chicago?
There are a lot of boarding schools in Chicago, but if you’re going for the best, we’ve made it easy for you with this list. Chicago boarding schools are in different categories. You could find All-Girls, All-Boys, or even Co-ed boarding schools.
These schools are ranked as the best compared to other boarding schools in Chicago. They include:
1. Lake Forest Academy
- Location: Lake Forest IL
- Tuition: $61,500/year
For students in grades 9 through 12, Lake Forest Academy primarily serves as a coed day and boarding institution. It is situated in Lake Forest, Illinois, on the country’s North Shore. 260 boys and girls are now enrolled in the school, with a class size average of 12.
The exceptional residential setting of Lake Forest Academy makes for the ideal setting for students’ educational experiences. There are 52% day students and 48% boarding students in the academy.
2. Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Location: Lake Forest, IL
- Tuition: $54,530/year
The Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, which serves students in grades 9 through 12, is a private, Roman Catholic boarding and day high school. It is situated in Lake Forest, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago. 260 boys and girls are now enrolled in the school, with a class size average of 12.
The unique residential location of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart makes for the ideal setting for students’ educational experiences. containing 52% of day students and 48% of boarding students.
3. Wheaton Academy
- Location: West Chicago, Illinois.
- Tuition: $52,600/year
A group of evangelical abolitionists founded Wheaton Academy, a private, Christian, coeducational high school in West Chicago, Illinois, as a component of the Illinois Institute in 1853. In 1860, Wheaton College and Wheaton College Academy, a preparatory institution, were established from the Illinois Institute.
4. Carmel Catholic High School
- Location: Mundelein, Illinois.
- Tuition: $64,650/year
The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the priests and brothers of the Order of Carmelites jointly administer the coeducational, college preparation at Carmel Catholic High School. The school accepts students in grades 9 through 12. As an expression of faith, Carmel Catholic High School encourages its students to be self-reflective thinkers, appreciative stewards, and accountable leaders.
5. Chicago Hope Academy
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Tuition: $15,500/year
Highly regarded private boarding Christian school Chicago Hope Academy is situated in Chicago, Illinois. It has a student to teacher ratio of 11 to 1 with 273 students in grades 9 through 12. The Academy has been able to raise children from different areas to be disciplined and independent adults.
6. Marian Catholic High School Amerigo Education
- Location: Chicago Heights, Illinois
- Tuition: $14,000/year
In Chicago Heights, Illinois, there is a coeducational high school called Marian Catholic High School. It is situated in the Chicago Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church. There are 837 pupils in grades 9 through 12, and there are 12 students for every instructor. Every student at Marian Central Catholic High School is committed to growing intellectually, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
7. Moraine Valley Community College
- Location: Palos Hills, IL
- Tuition: $8,095/session
In Palos Hills, Illinois, there is a public community college called Moraine Valley Community College. It was established in 1967, and the Cook County Forest Preserves are all around it. Additionally, the college runs outposts in Blue Island and Tinley Park, both in Illinois. It is a modest university with 4,131 undergraduate students enrolled. The acceptance rate at Moraine Valley is 100 per cent.
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8. Urban Prairie Waldorf School
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: $16,686
In Chicago, Illinois, there is a prestigious private school called Urban Prairie Waldorf School. With 157 pupils in grades PK–8, it has a student-teacher ratio of seven to one.
A modern, welcoming pre-k through the 8th-grade institution, Urban Prairie Waldorf School educates and develops pupils into responsible global citizens.
9. Francis W. Parker School
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: $34,230
A renowned private school in Chicago, Illinois is called Francis W. Parker School. With a student-teacher ratio of nine to one, it has 935 pupils in grades PK–12 overall. From junior kindergarten through the twelfth grade, children who reside in the Chicago region can attend Francis W. Parker School, an independent school.
10. Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: $13,350
An all-girls Catholic high school called Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School is at 3737 West 99th Street in Chicago, Illinois’ Mount Greenwood area. It sits majestically in the Chicago Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church. The biggest high school in the nation for only females is Mother McAuley.
11. Morgan Park Academy
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: $24,500
Pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students receives service from the coeducational, autonomous, college-preparatory Morgan Park Academy. It is on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, in the Morgan Park neighbourhood.
The Academy consists of a group of people that appreciate rigorous academics, independent thought, diversity in the real world, values-based education, and a supportive atmosphere.
12. Carver Military Academy High School
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: Carver Military Academy is tuition-free.
The Riverdale neighbourhood on Chicago’s far south side is home to the public 4-year military high school George Washington Carver Military Academy. The school, whose history dates back to 1947, is run by the Chicago Public Schools. 435 students in grades 9 through 12 attend Carver Military Academy High School.
13. Saint Clement School
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: $9,330
On Chicago’s Northside, there is a Catholic PreK through 8th-grade school- Saint Clement School. Saint Clement School, which is rooted in the depth of Catholic tradition, engages each and every child in a demanding academic atmosphere that empowers and motivates our students to identify their special talents.
14. DePaul College Prep
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: $15,920
A Vincentian Catholic high school called DePaul College Prep is situated in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is situated on Chicago’s north side.
The Vincentians, officially known as the Congregation of the Mission, Western Province, are the sponsors of DePaul College Prep. It is a prestigious private Catholic institution. 725 students in grades 9 through 12 attend.
15. Chicago Jesuit Academy
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Tuition: CJA is a tuition-free school.
For young men from low-income families, Chicago Jesuit Academy offers full scholarships. It is a Jesuit, Roman Catholic middle school that prepares students for college. Everyone’s top pick is the academy because both its lower and middle schools are tuition-free.
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Are there Co-ed Boarding schools in Chicago?
Most parents are comfortable with their kids being in a mixed boarding school rather than a single boarding school. In cases like this, there are Co-ed boarding schools. They are;
- Wheaton Academy
- Lake Forest Academy
- Morgan Park Academy
- Chicago Hope Academy
What are the Catholic boarding schools in Chicago?
Chicago has few Catholic boarding schools for students in the Catholic faith. They include:
- Carmel Catholic High School
- Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- DePaul College Prep
- Saint Clement School
Conclusion
Chicago is one of the states to take into consideration while selecting the best boarding school for your child. This is due to the fact that Chicago’s boarding schools have made a significant contribution to the personality development of the kids who have successfully enrolled in them.
Therefore, it is necessary to choose from the best of these boarding schools. We have been able to outline the 2024 ranking of the best boarding schools in Chicago. It’s your turn to make the right choice now!
Boarding Schools in Chicago (Frequently Asked Questions)
There are various ways to pay for boarding school. Most schools require payment of fees in advance. Your acceptance letter will come with an invoice. The summer, usually in early July or early August, is when the tuition and other payments for half the year are due.
Experts advise waiting until your child is at least nine years old before sending them to boarding school. They must be able to express their ideas and feelings in words, have solid parental bonds, and have a sense of personal identity.
Early boarding has a secret trauma that lingers. A young youngster is transported away from home to live with strangers, losing both their attachment figures and their place of residence in the process. They experience protracted separation. They might go through loss and bullying.
In recent research for The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), the Arts & Science Group of Baltimore found that boarding school students are more likely than private and public school students to receive postgraduate degrees and rise more quickly in their careers.
References
- niche.com – 2022 Best boarding high schools in the Chicago Area
- smapse.com – 5 best boarding schools in Chicago for foreign students. Description, rankings, 2023 fees