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

Illinois Boarding Schools

Lake Forest Academy: Based in Lake Forest, it serves 452 students in grades 9-12 as a co-ed college-preparatory boarding school. Tuition is $79,775 and 30% of students receive financial aid. Classes average 12 students.
Saint Bede Academy: A co-ed college-preparatory boarding school in Peru serving grades 9-12, with 293 students. Tuition is $25,000 and 29% of students receive financial aid. Classes average 18 students.
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Boarding Schools: 2
  • # Students Served: 745

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Boarding Schools: 2
  • # Students Served: 745

Top Illinois Boarding Schools (2026-27)

View top ranked boarding schools nationwide:

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)
View Profile
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
View Profile
2
Boarding Schools
+100.0% (+1 school) 11-yr
745
Students
+70.9% (+309 students) 11-yr

Historical Statistics Overview

This State (IL)
US (avg. per state)
# Schools
2 Schools
6.4 Schools

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Trends in Total Number of Boarding Schools

YearIllinois (IL) TotalUS Avg per State
202526.4
202426.2
202326.0
202225.9
202125.7
202025.4
201915.4
201815.2
201715.1
201614.9
201515.0
201415.0
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# Students
745 Students
2,517 Students

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Trends in Total Number of Boarding School Students

YearIllinois (IL) TotalUS Avg per State
20257452,517
20247452,453
20237282,367
20227282,384
20217282,278
20207282,144
20194402,197
20184352,146
20174352,100
20164301,980
20154361,985
20144361,962
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Academics and Faculty

Midwest Region*
US
* Fewer than 3 schools in Illinois report these figures, so the Midwest regional average is shown.
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
8:1

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Student-Teacher Ratio

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
20259:18:1
20248:17:1
20238:17:1
20228:17:1
20218:17:1
20208:17:1
20198:17:1
20188:17:1
20178:17:1
20168:17:1
20159:17:1
20149:17:1
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% Faculty with Advanced Degree
69%
69%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average % Faculty with Advanced Degrees

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202569%69%
202471%68%
202371%69%
202271%68%
202170%67%
202069%66%
201964%65%
201863%66%
201761%66%
201664%65%
201564%65%
201466%65%
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Academic Programs

Midwest Region*
US
* Fewer than 3 schools in Illinois report these figures, so the Midwest regional average is shown.
Avg. AP Courses
20
22

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
20252022
20242022
20232022
20222122
20212122
20202122
20192021
20181921
20171721
20161520
20151520
20141519
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Avg. IB Courses
None reported
28
Avg. Class Size
14
13

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Class Size

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
20251413
20241413
20231413
20221513
20211413
20201412
20191513
20181513
20171413
20161513
20151413
20141413
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Academic Performance

Midwest Region*
US
* Fewer than 3 schools in Illinois report these figures, so the Midwest regional average is shown.
Avg. SAT Score
1274
1271

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average SAT Score

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202512741271
202412891274
202312841278
202212891276
202112831277
202012771273
201913081271
201813011273
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Avg. ACT Score
27
27

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average ACT Score

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
20252727
20242727
20232727
20222727
20212727
20202727
20192727
20182726
20172726
20162726
20152626
20142625
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Avg. Acceptance Rate
68%
59%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Acceptance Rate

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202568%59%
202467%57%
202367%57%
202266%56%
202164%56%
202064%55%
201964%55%
201866%55%
201766%54%
201664%53%
201564%54%
201464%54%
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Tuition and Finances

Midwest Region*
US
* Fewer than 3 schools in Illinois report these figures, so the Midwest regional average is shown.
Avg. Tuition (Boarding)
$45,840
$64,455

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Tuition Cost

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
2025$45,840$64,455
2024$44,200$62,584
2023$42,079$60,415
2022$41,976$58,343
2021$40,577$57,017
2020$39,877$55,760
2019$36,908$54,186
2018$34,804$52,108
2017$34,585$50,594
2016$33,407$49,180
2015$34,243$47,708
2014$31,928$48,599
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Avg. Tuition (Day)
$26,003
$38,004

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Day Student Tuition

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
2025$26,003$38,004
2024$22,791$36,732
2023$22,203$35,848
2022$21,906$34,469
2021$23,010$34,614
2020$22,400$33,350
2019$19,453$31,555
2018$19,742$30,133
2017$19,617$29,344
2016$19,714$29,140
2015$19,017$28,042
2014$18,991$27,217
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Avg. Tuition (International)
$44,501
$62,450

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average International Student Tuition

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
2025$44,501$62,450
2024$43,337$59,956
2023$42,095$57,872
2022$39,508$56,738
2021$39,003$54,097
2020$38,071$52,930
2019$36,321$51,250
2018$36,825$47,647
2017$34,940$45,370
2016$34,744$45,211
2015$37,232$45,218
2014$35,431$45,073
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Avg. Financial Aid Rate
48%
42%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Financial Aid Rate

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202548%42%
202448%41%
202348%41%
202246%40%
202147%40%
202046%39%
201945%38%
201842%38%
201739%37%
201637%36%
201540%36%
201438%35%
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Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$16,480
$27,075

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average Financial Aid Grant

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
2025$16,480$27,075
2024$15,983$26,722
2023$15,839$26,202
2022$16,317$26,183
2021$15,050$26,267
2020$14,393$26,166
2019$12,102$26,311
2018$11,662$25,365
2017$10,995$24,537
2016$10,519$23,339
2015$10,343$22,851
2014$9,986$22,694
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Avg. Endowment
$105 MM
$84 MM

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average School Endowment

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
2025$105 MM$84 MM
2024$84 MM$83 MM
2023$82 MM$77 MM
2022$84 MM$73 MM
2021$88 MM$73 MM
2020$73 MM$67 MM
2019$75 MM$67 MM
2018$69 MM$72 MM
2017$73 MM$71 MM
2016$80 MM$68 MM
2015$64 MM$67 MM
2014$70 MM$64 MM
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Student Diversity

Midwest Region*
US
* Fewer than 3 schools in Illinois report these figures, so the Midwest regional average is shown.
% Students of Color
32%
30%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average % Students of Color

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202532%30%
202432%29%
202332%29%
202228%27%
202128%27%
202026%26%
201927%24%
201825%24%
201723%22%
201623%22%
201522%21%
201422%21%
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% International Students
21%
27%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average % International Students

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202521%27%
202421%27%
202322%26%
202222%26%
202121%25%
202022%25%
201923%26%
201825%26%
201727%27%
201627%26%
201527%25%
201426%25%
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% Boarding Students
47%
59%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Regional Trends (Midwest) in Average % Boarding Students

YearMidwest Region AvgNational Avg
202547%59%
202449%60%
202352%61%
202250%61%
202152%61%
202052%62%
201952%62%
201850%62%
201752%63%
201655%63%
201557%64%
201456%63%
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many boarding schools are located in Illinois?
There are 2 college-preparatory boarding schools located in Illinois.
What is the oldest boarding school in Illinois?
Lake Forest Academy, founded in 1857, is the oldest boarding school in Illinois.

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