Studying in Chicago
Illinois is one of the states with the highest number of international students in the United States. At the heart of the state is Chicago, a city that offers unique educational opportunities. Studying in Chicago allows students to be close to the center of economic, cultural, and academic development, providing an enriching environment both inside and outside the classroom.
Some key benefits of attending high school in Chicago include:
- Top-Quality Education and Specialized Programs: Chicago’s public and private schools are recognized for their high academic standards. Many schools offer specialized programs, including dual-language tracks, STEM-focused pathways, and performing arts concentrations, allowing students to pursue their interests while prepping for college.
- Strong College and Career Preparation: Schools in Chicago emphasize college readiness, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the rigors of higher education.
- Access to Industry and Cultural Learning: Being in Chicago enables students to connect with major companies and cultural institutions, gaining valuable insights and opportunities that support their academic learning. With extensive public transportation, students in Chicago can explore the city easily to learn and gain valuable experience.
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Niche’s Best Private High Schools in Chicago
Thanks to its outstanding schools, Chicago is a popular destination for students seeking high-quality education. Below are some of the best private high schools in Chicago, based on the 2025 Niche rankings, which consider academic excellence, college readiness, diversity, and community feedback.
- Lake Forest Academy
- British International School of Chicago, South Loop
- Roycemore School
- North Shore Country Day
- Francis W. Parker School
- Lycée Français de Chicago
- Latin School of Chicago
1. Lake Forest Academy
Grades: 9-12
Tuition: $53,200/year (day), $73,400/year (boarding)
International Student Ratio: 25%
Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy (LFA) is a college preparatory boarding and day school that combines academic rigor with a deep commitment to character development.
LFA’s curriculum fosters global citizenship by offering students opportunities to travel abroad, participate in service learning, and engage in globally focused coursework. Through its Global Leadership Opportunities (GLO) program, students travel to destinations worldwide, connecting directly with diverse people, cultures, and environments. More than just a travel program, GLO immerses students in experiences such as exploring the biodiversity of Olympic National Park, studying sustainable development in Singapore, and investigating resilience and recovery in Puerto Rico. These experiences are designed to deepen understanding, challenge assumptions, and inspire students to take meaningful action.
In the classroom, students can pursue innovative courses such as 3D Design Thinking, Global Citizenship Education, Data Science, and Natural Disaster Studies, developing a strong foundation to address global challenges.
Boarding at LFA provides a close-knit community where students build independence while receiving strong support from faculty. Students can participate in athletics, arts, and over 50 clubs, encouraging a balanced lifestyle.
College Outcomes: LFA graduates are accepted into top universities, including Dartmouth, Caltech, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Yale, UPenn, and many more.
2. British International School of Chicago, South Loop
Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Tuition: $33,950/year
Founded in 2002, the British International School (BIS) of Chicago, South Loop, part of the Nord Anglia Education family, offers a personalized, internationally focused education. The school emphasizes individualized learning, igniting students’ curiosity while instilling a love for lifelong learning.
BIS Chicago offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, which allows students to pursue the IB Diploma, IB Certificates, or a High School Certificate, providing flexibility for students’ goals. Students benefit from a global curriculum that develops critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and exposure to international issues. The school’s supportive faculty guides students to achieve their personal best, with the IB Class of 2024 achieving top scores of 40 out of 45, showcasing academic excellence.
Students participate in community service, leadership opportunities, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including Model United Nations, robotics, performing arts, and athletics, ensuring a well-rounded experience.
College Outcomes: Graduates have gained admission to prestigious universities such as Harvard, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Northwestern, and NYU.
3. Roycemore School
Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Tuition: $28,792/year
Founded in 1915 in Evanston, Roycemore School is known for its intimate, diverse community and personalized education that inspires students to discover their passions and think without limits. The school emphasizes creativity, adaptability, and real-world problem-solving.
Roycemore’s signature programs include:
- January Short Term (JST): A transformative three-week period where students explore immersive projects, internships, and travel, gaining hands-on experience beyond traditional learning.
- Personal Passion Project (P3): Middle school students engage in interdisciplinary projects that explore big ideas such as sustainability or designing new civilizations.
- DIG Deep (Design, Innovate, Grow): Lower School students dive into project-based design thinking, working in multi-age groups to solve real-world problems collaboratively.
The school’s small class sizes enable personalized attention and mentorship, fostering strong student-teacher relationships and allowing students to explore their unique interests in depth.
College Outcomes: Roycemore graduates attend top institutions such as Caltech, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, MIT, and UC Berkeley.
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4. North Shore Country Day
Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Tuition: $41,425/year
Founded in 1919, North Shore Country Day (NSCD) is located in Winnetka and is known for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum and emphasis on project-based learning. NSCD’s curriculum challenges students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage deeply in their academic and personal development.
All NSCD courses are taught at the highest level, ensuring academic rigor across disciplines. Students also participate in Interim Projects, where regular classes are paused for a week each year, allowing students to engage in immersive, hands-on learning experiences locally and globally. Community engagement is woven throughout the NSCD experience, helping students develop as ethical citizens aligned with the school’s motto, “Live and Serve.”
Students actively participate in arts, athletics, and service opportunities, creating a well-rounded high school experience.
College Outcomes: Graduates from NSCD have been accepted to Yale, UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Vanderbilt, and other top institutions.
5. Francis W. Parker School
Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Tuition: $40,390/year
Founded in 1901 in Lincoln Park, Francis W. Parker School focuses on progressive education, helping students understand their role in society and fostering awareness of diverse perspectives within a multicultural community.
The Upper School curriculum emphasizes critical and analytical thinking, with a structured progression that helps students find their voices in the 11th and 12th grades. Parker offers unique courses such as Climate Science and Environmental Justice, Creating Historical Documentaries, Sociology of Sports, and Box-Fit Boxing, allowing students to engage in innovative and socially conscious studies.
Students participate in an inclusive, discussion-based learning environment with access to a wide variety of clubs, arts, and athletics, ensuring a balanced and engaging school experience.
College Outcomes: Parker graduates gain admission to top universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, and Yale.
6. Lycée Français de Chicago
Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Tuition: $26,500/year
Founded in 1995, Lycée Français de Chicago (LFC) provides a multilingual and multicultural learning environment with a strong focus on academic rigor and cultural diversity. The school offers both the French Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is offered in grades 9 and 10, followed by the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in grades 11 and 12. These programs allow students to pursue an internationally recognized qualification that develops critical thinking and intercultural awareness.
LFC’s French Baccalaureate program stimulates intellectual curiosity while emphasizing a comprehensive curriculum paired with enriching student life opportunities, including clubs, sports, exchange programs, and community service.
College Outcomes: LFC graduates are accepted to leading institutions worldwide, including Harvard, Columbia, UC Berkeley, the London School of Economics (UK), McGill University (Canada), and the University of Toronto.
7. Latin School of Chicago
Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Tuition: $46,395/year
Founded in 1888, the Latin School of Chicago has provided a transformative educational experience for students for over 135 years, fostering curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and empathy.
The curriculum combines strong college preparatory fundamentals with unique opportunities for independent study and project-based learning. Students explore beyond the classroom, engaging in research, internships, and service projects that challenge them to think critically about their place in the world.
The Latin School is known for its strong, tight-knit community, fostering lifelong connections among students, faculty, and peers. The school’s emphasis on individual growth and exploration helps students develop confidence in their abilities while preparing them for the rigors of top universities.
College Outcomes: Latin graduates are accepted to top-tier institutions, including Caltech, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, and Harvard.
Choosing to study in Chicago provides students with access to some of the best private high schools in the United States, each offering unique programs that encourage academic excellence, leadership, and personal growth.
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