For the 2026 school year, there are 16 blue ribbon private high schools serving 8,036 students in Illinois.
The top-ranked blue ribbon private high schools in Illinois include Timothy Christian Schools, Central Catholic High School, and Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart.
The average tuition cost is $17,854, which is higher than the Illinois private high school average tuition cost of $15,752.
Blue Ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this and .
Top-Ranked Illinois Blue Ribbon Private High Schools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Beacon Academy ![Beacon Academy Photo]( "Beacon Academy Photo")
Montessori School
1574 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(224) 999-1177
Evanston, IL 60201
(224) 999-1177
Gr: 9-12 | 150 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition listed
1 Carmel Pkwy
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-3000
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,107 students Avg. class size: 15 students Blue Ribbon year: 2021 Tuition listed
Central Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1201 Airport Rd
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 661-7000
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 661-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 295 students Avg. class size: 15 students Blue Ribbon year: 2017 Tuition listed
315 Waukegan Road
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 446-5252
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 446-5252
Gr: PK-12 | 437 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 15 Blue Ribbon year: 2003 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
De La Salle Institute - Institute Campus ![De La Salle Institute - Institute Campus Photo - De La Salle Institute]( "De La Salle Institute - Institute Campus Photo - De La Salle Institute")
(Catholic)
3434 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-7355
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-7355
Gr: 9-12 | 699 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 39
The High School Of Saint Thomas More ![The High School Of Saint Thomas More Photo - STM chaplain Father Andru O'Brien celebrates the Senior Recognition Mass in May 2022.]( "The High School Of Saint Thomas More Photo - STM chaplain Father Andru O'Brien celebrates the Senior Recognition Mass in May 2022.")
(Catholic)
3901 N Mattis Ave
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 352-7201
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 352-7201
Gr: 9-12 | 210 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 19 Blue Ribbon year: 2014 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Josephinum Academy Of The Sacred Heart ![Josephinum Academy Of The Sacred Heart Photo - Library]( "Josephinum Academy Of The Sacred Heart Photo - Library")
All-girls (Catholic)
1501 North Oakley Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-1261
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-1261
Gr: 9-12 | 132 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
700 Ashland Ave
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
(708) 755-7565
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
(708) 755-7565
Gr: 9-12 | 819 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 46 Blue Ribbon year: 1995 Tuition listed
3506 N California Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 686-4500
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 686-4500
Gr: PK-12 | 597 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Quad Cities Christian School ![Quad Cities Christian School Photo]( "Quad Cities Christian School Photo")
(Christian)
4000 11th Street
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 762-3800
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 762-3800
Gr: NS-12 | 385 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
701 Locust Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-7660
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-7660
Gr: 9-12 | 206 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 24 Tuition listed
St. Viator High School
(Catholic)
1213 E Oakton St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 392-4050
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 392-4050
Gr: 9-12 | 808 students Avg. class size: 25 students Blue Ribbon year: 2024 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
188 W Butterfield Rd
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-4616
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-4616
Gr: PK-12 | 1,269 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 21 Blue Ribbon year: 2019 Tuition listed
Wheaton Academy ![Wheaton Academy Photo - Wheaton Academy Campus]( "Wheaton Academy Photo - Wheaton Academy Campus")
(Christian)
900 Prince Crossing Rd
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 562-7500
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 562-7500
Gr: 9-12 | 667 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 28 Blue Ribbon year: 2019 Tuition listed
Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart
All-girls (Catholic)
760 E Westleigh Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-4300
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-4300
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 7 Blue Ribbon year: 2020, 2025 Tuition listed
Lake County Baptist School ![Lake County Baptist School Photo]( "Lake County Baptist School Photo")
(Baptist)
1550 W Yorkhouse Road
Waukegan, IL 60087
(847) 623-7600
Waukegan, IL 60087
(847) 623-7600
Gr: PK-12 | 155 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon private high schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked blue ribbon private high schools in Illinois include Timothy Christian Schools, Central Catholic High School, and Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart.
How many blue ribbon private high schools are located in Illinois?
16 blue ribbon private high schools are located in Illinois.
How much do blue ribbon private high schools cost in Illinois?
The average tuition cost is $17,854, which is higher than the Illinois private school average tuition cost of $15,752.
How diverse are blue ribbon private high schools in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon private high schools are approximately 29% minority students, which is lower than the Illinois private school average of 35%.
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