In 2013, Illinois public schools spent an average of $11,842 per student in total expenses ($7,000 if measured strictly for classroom expenses), according to the Illinois State Board of Education's State Report Card. That cost is spread across the state and individual school districts through income taxes and, especially, property taxes.
But private school students (or more precisely in most cases, their parents) cover those costs themselves.
To help you get a sense of the cost of some of the private schools in the state, along with the differentials that exist between some private schools, we've got a list of the 13 most expensive Illinois private schools below. To keep continuity, we took the highest possible cost (which for some schools included boarding) for grades 9-12. All schools were found using Private School Review and the tuition rates were found on each school's respective website, which are linked with the school's name.
1. Lake Forest Academy - $51,400
Located in Lake Forest, Ill., Lake Forest Academy is a coeducational, independent boarding school.
2. Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart - $47,200
Also located in Lake Forest, Ill., Woodlands Academy is a Roman Catholic, all-girls high school.
3. Francis W. Parker High School - $31,830
Francis W. Parker High School is an independent, co-educational school located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, close to the Lincoln Park Zoo.
4. The Latin School of Chicago - $29,985
The Latin School of Chicago is a coeducational, independent school located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, just south of Lincoln Park.
5. University of Chicago Laboratory School - $29,424
The University of Chicago Laboratory School is a coeducational school affiliated with the University of Chicago and is located on the University of Chicago's campus.
6. The British School of Chicago - $28,250
The British School of Chicago is a coeducational, independent British international school located in the southwest part of the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago.
7. North Shore Country Day High School - $27,250
North Shore Country Day is a coeducational, independent school located in Winnetka, Ill.
8. Roycemore High School - $26,550
Roycemore High School is a coeducational, independent school located in Evanston, Ill.
9. Chicago Academy for the Arts - $24,720
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is located in the River West neighborhood of Chicago and is a coeducational, independent school devoted to the performing and visual arts.
10. Chicagoland Jewish High School - $22,900
Chicagoland Jewish High School is a coeducational, Jewish high school located in Deerfield, Ill.
11. Morgan Park Academy - $22,300
Located in the Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago's south side, Morgan Park Academy is an independent, coeducational school.
12. Elgin Academy - $20,800
Elgin Academy is located in Elgin, Ill. and is a coeducational, independent school.
13. Beacon Academy - $19,900
Beacon Academy is located in Evanston, Ill. and is a coeducational, independent school that's teaching practices reflect Montessori principles.
Check out 12 more ultra-pricey private schools in Illinois at Reboot Illinois.
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