For the 2025 school year, there are 16 blue ribbon private high schools serving 8,049 students in Illinois.
The top ranked blue ribbon private high schools in Illinois include Christian Heritage Academy, Timothy Christian Schools, and Wheaton Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 91%, which is higher than the Illinois private high school average acceptance rate of 86%.
Blue Ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
Top Ranked Illinois Blue Ribbon Private High Schools (2025)
School
Location
Students
Year
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
150 students
Year: n/a
1 Carmel Pkwy
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-3000
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-3000
1,107 students
Year: 2021
Central Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1201 Airport Rd
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 661-7000
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 661-7000
295 students
Year: 2017
315 Waukegan Road
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 446-5252
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 446-5252
437 students
Year: 2003
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
699 students
Year: n/a
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
132 students
Year: n/a
700 Ashland Ave
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
(708) 755-7565
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
(708) 755-7565
819 students
Year: 1995
3506 N California Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 686-4500
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 686-4500
597 students
Year: n/a
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
385 students
Year: n/a
701 Locust Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-7660
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-7660
206 students
Year: n/a
St. Viator High School
(Catholic)
1213 E Oakton St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 392-4050
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 392-4050
808 students
Year: 2008, 2014
188 W Butterfield Rd
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-4616
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-4616
1,269 students
Year: 2019
Wheaton Academy![Wheaton Academy Photo]( "Wheaton Academy Photo")
(Christian)
900 Prince Crossing Rd
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 562-7500
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 562-7500
667 students
Year: 2019
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
210 students
Year: 2014
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
155 students
Year: n/a
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
120 students
Year: 2020
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 Christian Heritage Academy, Timothy Christian Schools, and Wheaton Academy.
How many blue ribbon private high schools are located in Illinois?
16 blue ribbon private high schools are located in Illinois.
How diverse are blue ribbon private high schools in Illinois?
Illinois blue ribbon private high schools are approximately 31% minority students, which is lower than the Illinois private school average of 35%.
Recent Articles
Why Private School? (2025 Edition)
Discover the updated benefits of private schooling in our comprehensive 2025 edition. From academic rigor to personalized learning and community values, this article explores why private schools might be the right choice for your child.
A Parent's Guide To Understanding High School Teaching Methods
This comprehensive guide helps parents navigate the various teaching methods used in today's high school classrooms. By understanding these approaches, you'll be better equipped to support your teen's learning journey, communicate effectively with teachers, and create a complementary learning environment at home.
February 08, 2025
Social Emotional Learning: Education's Hidden SymphonyA musician's perspective on Social Emotional Learning reveals how this educational framework orchestrates success through five essential emotional competencies.
