Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy is an independent coeducational college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve.
Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked IL School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 452 students
- Yearly Tuition: $53,200
- Acceptance rate: 31%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Lake Forest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
ACT Score
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Resources
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1857
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
452 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
39%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
65 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
78%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
24 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language & Culture, AP Computer Science, AP Economics, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language & Culture, AP Latin Language & Culture, AP Music Theory, AP Physics C, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Spanish Literature & Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History, AP World History
Average SAT score
1430
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$53,200
Tuition Notes
The 2024 - 2025 school year tuition for day students is $53,200 and the tuition for boarding students is $73,400.
% on Financial Aid
33%
Acceptance Rate
31%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Carolyn Gorowski
Endowment Size
$68.5 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
15 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
24 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Amnesty International, Archive Club, Black Student Union, Caxy Comedy, Caxy Key, Debate, Future Business Leaders of America, Gay-Straight-Alliance (GSA), Harlow Society, Investment Club, Jewish Student Union (JSU), Literary Magazine, Math Team, Model UN, Photography, Scholastic Bowl, Science Olympiad, Students Demand Action, Sustainability Club, Symphony for Service, The Spectator, UNIDOS
Arts and Music Programs:
Co-Ax, VOX
Amnesty International, Archive Club, Black Student Union, Caxy Comedy, Caxy Key, Debate, Future Business Leaders of America, Gay-Straight-Alliance (GSA), Harlow Society, Investment Club, Jewish Student Union (JSU), Literary Magazine, Math Team, Model UN, Photography, Scholastic Bowl, Science Olympiad, Students Demand Action, Sustainability Club, Symphony for Service, The Spectator, UNIDOS
Arts and Music Programs:
Co-Ax, VOX
School Notes
- Lake Forest Academy, founded in 1857, is an independent coeducational college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve.
- Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Jean Harlow - Actress
- Bix Biederbecke - Jazz cornet player
- Bradley Russell Weinberger - Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice
- David Bradley - Film director
- Judy Baar Topinka - Former Illinois State Treasurer
- Frances Perkins - First female Secretary of Labor
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Lake Forest Academy cost?
Lake Forest Academy's tuition is approximately $53,200 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Lake Forest Academy?
The acceptance rate of Lake Forest Academy is 31%, which is lower than the national average of 90%. Lake Forest Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Illinois with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Lake Forest Academy?
Lake Forest Academy famous alumni include: Jean Harlow, Bix Biederbecke, Bradley Russell Weinberger, David Bradley, Judy Baar Topinka and Frances Perkins.
Does Lake Forest Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Lake Forest Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Lake Forest Academy offer?
Lake Forest Academy offers 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Lake Forest Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for most sports offered.
What is Lake Forest Academy's ranking?
Lake Forest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Lake Forest Academy?
The application deadline for Lake Forest Academy is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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People that viewed Lake Forest Academy also viewed these schools: North Shore Country Day School, Fusion Academy Lake Forest, Woodlands Academy Of The Sacred Heart, Fenwick High School and Lake Forest Country Day School.
The nearest high school and elementary school to Lake Forest Academy is Fusion Academy Lake Forest (1.2 miles away)
The nearest preschool is School Of St. Mary Upper Grade Center (1.5 miles away)
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