Lake Forest Academy Photo - Everyone at LFA (students, faculty, and staff) belongs to one of four houses - Bird, Lewis, Sargent, or Welch. The four Houses compete in a series of mini competitions throughout the year and the House that earns the most points WINS!

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.

Top Illinois Boarding Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
900 South Brehm Lane
Carbondale IL, IL 62901
(618) 457-0371
Gr: 6-12, PG Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 6 students Acceptance rate: 100% Tuition listed
Lake Forest Academy
Lake Forest Academy Photo - Lake Forest Academy's 435 students are from 15 states and 35 countries. LFA is commited to diversity and inclusion; our student body includes 25% international students, 34% domestic students of color, and 33% of students receive financial aid.
(2)
1500 West Kennedy Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 615-3267
Gr: 9-12, PG | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 34% Tuition listed
Saint Bede Academy
Saint Bede Academy Photo - With an average student population of 300, our small class sizes offer students one-on-one interaction with their instructors.
(Catholic)
24 W US Highway 6
Peru, IL 61354
(815) 250-0285
Gr: 9-12 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Avg. class size: 18 students Acceptance rate: 80% Tuition listed

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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