Boarding School Review - Established 2003
Brehm Preparatory School
Lake Forest Academy
Saint Bede Academy

Best Illinois Boarding Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 3 college-prep and junior boarding schools serving 745 students located throughout Illinois.
You can also browse our full boarding school directory or specify additional search criteria.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • # Boarding Schools: 3
  • # Students Served: 745
  • Average Tuition: $61,582
  • Average Acceptance Rate: 71%
  • Average Class Size: 12 students
  • % Students Boarding: 44%
  • % International Students: 13%
  • % Students of Color: 26%
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 24%
  • % Faculty w/Advanced Degree: 73%
Brehm Preparatory School
Lake Forest Academy
Saint Bede Academy

Quick Facts (2026)

  • # Boarding Schools: 3
  • # Students Served: 745
  • Average Tuition: $61,582
  • Average Acceptance Rate: 71%
  • Average Class Size: 12 students
  • % Students Boarding: 44%
  • % International Students: 13%
  • % Students of Color: 26%
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 24%
  • % Faculty w/Advanced Degree: 73%

Top Illinois Boarding Schools (2026)

Brehm Preparatory School Photo - Balancing Fun and Learning: Brehm's unique team-building exercises, like our beachball balance challenge, promote student coordination and camaraderie.
Brehm Preparatory School
Gr: 6-12, PG
Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Avg. class size: 6 students
Acceptance rate: 100%
Tuition listed
900 South Brehm Lane
Carbondale IL, IL 62901
(618) 457-0371
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Lake Forest Academy Photo - Lake Forest Academy's 452 students are from over 19 states and 40 countries. Our student body includes 22% international students, 43% domestic students of color, and 34% of students receive financial aid.
Lake Forest Academy
Gr: 9-12, PG | 452 students
Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Avg. class size: 12 students
Acceptance rate: 34%
Tuition listed
1500 West Kennedy Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 615-3267
(2)
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Saint Bede Academy Photo - With an average student population of 300, our small class sizes offer students one-on-one interaction with their instructors.
Saint Bede Academy
Gr: 9-12 | 293 students
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Avg. class size: 18 students
Acceptance rate: 80%
Tuition listed
Catholic
24 W US Highway 6
Peru, IL 61354
(815) 250-0285
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many boarding schools are located in Illinois?
There are 3 college-preparatory boarding schools located in Illinois.
What is the average tuition cost of boarding school in Illinois?
The average Illinois boarding school tuition cost is $61,582 per year.
What is the oldest boarding school in Illinois?
Lake Forest Academy, founded in 1857, is the oldest boarding school in Illinois.
What boarding school in Illinois has the lowest acceptance rates?
Lake Forest Academy has the lowest boarding school acceptance rate (34%) in Illinois.
What boarding school in Illinois has the highest average SAT scores?
Lake Forest Academy has the highest average SAT scores (1430) in Illinois.

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