Private Schools in
Illinois
- White
- Black
- Hisp.
- Asian Am.
- Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
- Haw. / Pac. Isl.
- Multi.
- Not spec.
- Private Schools
- Public Schools
Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)
Religious Orientation
Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.
| Religious Orientation | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | 426 | |
| Nonsectarian | 260 | |
| Lutheran | 116 | |
| Christian | 108 | |
| Baptist | 35 |
School Type
School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.
| School Type | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular elementary or secondary | 825 | |
| Special education | 98 | |
| Montessori | 68 | |
| Early childhood/day care center | 32 | |
| Special program emphasis | 30 |
Private Schools in Illinois
There are 1,063 private schools in Illinois that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.
| School | Grades | Religion | Enrollment | Mostly … | Racial Difference* | Teachers | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American School | 6th–12th | Nonsectarian | 3,007 | White | 54% | 35 | Early childhood/day care center | |
| University of Chicago Lab School | PK–12th | Nonsectarian | 1,930 | White | 32% | 201 | 1896 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| One World School LLC | 6th–12th | Christian | 1,914 | White | 5% | 44 | Early childhood/day care center | |
| Marist High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,657 | White | 58% | 116 | 1963 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| St. Ignatius College Prep | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,473 | White | 58% | 135 | 1869 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Carmel Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,318 | White | 37% | 80 | 1962 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Benet Academy | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,265 | White | 20% | 67 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Fenwick High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,101 | White | 13% | 87 | 1929 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Depaul College Prep | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 942 | White | 56% | 77 | 1952 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| St. Laurence High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 913 | Hispanic or Latino | -17% | 62 | 1961 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Marian Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 861 | Black | 5% | 51 | 1958 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 832 | White | 56% | 68 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| St. Viator High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 808 | White | 36% | 62 | 1961 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Bishop Mcnamara Catholic High School | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 772 | White | 9% | 37 | 1923 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Frances Xavier Warde School | KG–8th | Roman Catholic | 764 | White | 38% | 71 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Frances Xavier Warde School | PK–8th | Roman Catholic | 764 | White | 41% | 71 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Timothy Christian P-8 | PK–8th | Christian | 752 | White | 16% | 49 | 1911 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Schaumburg Christian School | PK–12th | Baptist | 740 | White | 8% | 42 | 1971 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov Elementary School | KG–8th | Jewish | 740 | White | 89% | 73 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Notre Dame College Prep | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 734 | White | 23% | 45 | 1954 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Nazareth Academy | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 720 | White | -2% | 44 | 1900 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Peoria Notre Dame High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 703 | White | 63% | 49 | 1988 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Del. La Salle Institute Institute Campus | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 699 | Black | 5% | 45 | 1889 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| St. Francis High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 697 | White | 18% | 48 | 1956 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Rockford Lutheran School Jr/Sr High School | PK–12th | Lutheran | 692 | White | 41% | 46 | 1964 | Regular elementary or secondary |
* About racial difference
School Districts in Illinois (863)
* About racial difference
About This Data
Where is this data from?
Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.
What schools are included?
Why are private schools listed under public school districts?
What changes has ProPublica made?
More from Education
Read the latest education investigations from ProPublica.
Do you have information about private schools? Send us a tip.
How Segregation Academies Have Changed Amite County, Mississippi
A new ProPublica analysis shows the extent to which private schools segregate students. Alongside majority-Black public school districts, a separate web of private academies are filled almost entirely with white students.
What an Unregulated School Voucher Program Looks Like
Arizona’s acclaimed voucher program provides zero transparency into private schools’ history, academic performance or financial sustainability to help parents make informed school choices.
Ohio Will Use Taxpayer Money to Construct Private Religious Schools
The state is giving millions in taxpayer dollars directly to private schools to help them renovate and expand their campuses. It may be the next frontier in the push to increase the use of school vouchers, proponents say.