Best private high schools in Chicago/suburbs??

[RingWalk]

I could be wrong but my impression was that they are both more expensive than most colleges and close to impossible to get into. Like $25K a year plus.

I read a story in a magazine last year on admission to schools like this downtown and the competition is so fierce between the uber wealthy, legacies, people who've been on waiting lists since their kids were in embryo, etc., it was shocking. And I went to an Ivy-caliber college.

But I have no first hand experience.

I went to a working class Catholic schools with 2K yearly tuition : )

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

I could be wrong but my impression was that they are both more expensive than most colleges and close to impossible to get into. Like $25K a year plus.

I read a story in a magazine last year on admission to schools like this downtown and the competition is so fierce between the uber wealthy, legacies, people who've been on waiting lists since their kids were in embryo, etc., it was shocking. And I went to an Ivy-caliber college.

But I have no first hand experience.

I went to a working class Catholic schools with 2K yearly tuition : )

Each school posts its tuition levels on the website. They're both in the $21-25K range through 5th grade and more like $25-28K from grades 6-12. That's a rough guide. Supposedly, there is a LOT of pressure to donate, so families paying cash (i.e. no financial aid) can expect an annual cost of about $30K/child (though you cannot be forced to donate).

There are many applicants given priority: siblings of current students, children of employees, children of alumni, etc. Thus, it's very hard to get in as a totally unaffiliated applicant. Throw in the advantage of a donation and it's even harder. With the large state income tax increase in IL, the real estate tax hikes in Chicago and the never ending tuition hikes at these schools (which are already high to begin with), one would think that the competition for spots at these schools might dip a bit. That said, I don't think the data suggests that this is happening (at least thus far).

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by citylove101

Surprisingly, Parker's College Placement is (almost) as good as Latin's

I don' think there's anything surprising about this at all. Both schools take smart kids to start with, which is key. Otherwise its a matter of 'fit'. Some kids will do better in a traditional atmosphere, some in a progressive one. Put a kid in an atmosphere that's wrong for her and she will suffer. Both schools also have the option of discharging kids who don't thrive, which makes the college outcomes look better. That's why I say the OP should go with the school that fits her daughter's temperment.

I didn't mean this as a knock to FWP. It's just that I wouldn't expect their grads to gain acceptance to the most selective Universities as often as the graduates of Latin (which, from what I know, HEAVILY emphasizes grades, Academics, rigorous courses, high test scores, etc.) I get the sense Latin is in the business of getting its students into the best Colleges, while Parker tries to nurture its students as individuals and productive citizens (not necessarily Ivy League graduates).

When I saw that FWP's College placement list was about as good as Latin, I personally was a bit surprised. I didn't attend either, but this was my take.

[helpifican]

I go to Latin and its not cut-throat at all, people are competitive but, only if you make it competitive. Its a great community and the teacher to student relationship is amazing.

[eskercurve]

Brother Rice is a pretty good high school on the south side. It's a larger high school though, with a 2008 enrollment of around 1200 students. When I went there it was about that high or more. A lot of the students are in AP courses and there's a pretty good record of admission to college, something like 92% or more. I don't know the rate admitted to tier I colleges, but I do know a fair number of my former classmates became lawyers, engineers, scientists, and skilled tradesmen.

The only downside is that it is an all male high school (albeit with a larger all-girls school next door), it is Roman Catholic and you are required to take four years of theology. So if having a single-sex high school or a religious school are not your idea of a good environment then it's probably not for you. However, if your kid has the potential to excel academically, from my own experience it is a great place to go, and the Christian Brothers work hard to teach kids and the other teachers do too, at least when I was there.