Top 10 Catholic High Schools in Illinois in 2027

1Loyola Academy

Loyola Academy ranks first because it is the largest Jesuit secondary school in the United States, combining that scale with a broad Advanced Placement and honors catalog, selective college placement, and powerhouse athletics in Wilmette. Jesuit retreat and service programs send students into Chicago neighborhoods, and the arts offerings run deep.

Loyola suits families who want maximum program breadth and a clear Jesuit identity and who can manage North Shore tuition and commute. It trades away small-school intimacy: with a very large enrollment, students must advocate for themselves to access advising and top roles. Compared with Marist below, Loyola offers more resources and prestige at a materially higher price point.

2Marist High School

Marist High School ranks second as the best-value Catholic school on this list, pairing a deep AP and honors slate, a respected STEM focus, and broad college placement with tuition well below the North Shore independents. Its Mount Greenwood location on Chicago's Southwest Side keeps it accessible to city families, and Chicago Catholic League athletics are competitive.

Marist fits families seeking strong, mission-driven Catholic education at an accessible price, especially on the Southwest Side. It trades away some of the national prestige and scale of Loyola above, and its course catalog is less expansive than the largest Jesuit schools. Compared with Fenwick below, Marist offers comparable rigor at lower cost but with less national academic-competition profile.

3Fenwick High School

Fenwick High School ranks third for exceptional academic rigor in the Dominican tradition in Oak Park, just west of Chicago. Its demanding curriculum, strong AP and honors program, and long record of placing graduates at selective universities place it among the state's strongest Catholic schools. Nationally competitive debate and academic-competition teams add real value.

Fenwick fits academically ambitious students who want a study-and-truth-centered Dominican culture and a rigorous college-prep pace. It trades away the program breadth and athletic scale of larger schools like Loyola above, and the workload is genuinely demanding. Compared with Saint Ignatius below, Fenwick offers similar intensity in a suburban setting rather than an urban landmark campus.

4Saint Ignatius College Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep ranks fourth for elite Jesuit academics housed in a historic landmark building on Chicago's Near West Side. The school offers a rigorous classical and college-prep curriculum, deep AP access, and a college list that rivals the city's top independent schools. Jesuit formation and a strong service tradition round out a highly sought-after program.

Saint Ignatius fits city families who want Jesuit intensity and a central location, and students ready for a demanding classical core. It trades away the suburban campus space and athletic facilities scale of schools like Loyola and Benet, and admission is highly competitive. Compared with Fenwick above, Saint Ignatius offers a similar academic profile in an urban rather than Oak Park setting.

5Benet Academy

Benet Academy ranks fifth for outstanding academics and exceptional college placement in the Benedictine tradition in Lisle. The school is consistently ranked among the top schools in Illinois, with a strong AP program and a culture emphasizing prayer, community, and scholarship. Its western-suburb location draws families from across DuPage County.

Benet fits families seeking academic excellence paired with a values-driven, community-centered culture in the western suburbs. It trades away the urban access and Jesuit service emphasis of the Chicago schools above, and its Benedictine identity shapes daily life in ways some families should evaluate. Compared with Nazareth below, Benet offers stronger national academic standing but a more demanding pace.

6Mount Carmel High School

Mount Carmel High School ranks sixth as a leading all-boys Catholic school in the Carmelite tradition on Chicago's South Side in Woodlawn. It combines a strong college-prep curriculum with a storied athletic program and a deep tradition of forming young men in faith and character. Carmelite spirituality gives the school a distinctive identity among Chicago's Catholic options.

Mount Carmel fits families who want a single-sex environment for boys with strong athletics and Carmelite formation. It trades away coeducational settings and the broader arts and activities menus of larger coed schools above, and its South Side location affects commute for suburban families. Compared with Loyola and Saint Ignatius above, Mount Carmel offers comparable formation in an all-boys setting rather than a coed one.

7Nazareth Academy

Nazareth Academy ranks seventh for strong academics and a supportive, family-oriented culture in La Grange Park, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It offers solid AP and honors options, competitive athletics, and an arts program with a strong reputation. Its emphasis on community and individual attention, paired with strong college outcomes, makes it a leading western-suburb option.

Nazareth fits families who prioritize a welcoming community and individual attention over maximum scale or prestige. It trades away the AP breadth and national college-placement profile of Benet above, and its athletic programs are competitive but less dominant statewide. Compared with Carmel Catholic below, Nazareth offers a smaller, more intimate setting while Carmel provides a larger course catalog and facilities.

8Carmel Catholic High School

Carmel Catholic High School ranks eighth for academic strength, a broad AP and honors catalog, and strong athletics and arts programs in Mundelein. Co-sponsored by the Carmelites and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it supports a deep slate of courses and activities thanks to its size. Modern facilities serve advanced coursework in the sciences and arts alike.

Carmel fits Lake County families who want a large coed Catholic school with broad offerings and a strong campus-ministry program. It trades away the national prestige and college-placement profile of the top five schools above, and its northern-suburban location limits access for Chicago families. Compared with Nazareth above, Carmel offers more course breadth and facilities but less individual attention.

9Montini Catholic High School

Montini Catholic High School ranks ninth for strong academics, a supportive environment, and competitive athletics in Lombard, DuPage County. The diocesan-affiliated coed school offers solid AP and honors coursework, a respected fine-arts program, and good college outcomes. Its community feel gives western-suburb families an accessible Catholic option.

Montini fits families seeking a balanced, accessible Catholic school with a close community and solid academics. It trades away the AP depth and college-placement strength of Benet and Nazareth above, and its athletic and arts programs are respected but less prominent statewide. Compared with Joliet Catholic below, Montini offers a more suburban DuPage setting while Joliet Catholic carries a deeper athletic legacy.

10Joliet Catholic Academy

Joliet Catholic Academy ranks tenth for a strong college-prep curriculum, AP and honors options, and a culture grounded in faith and service southwest of Chicago. Its deep roots in the Carmelite and Franciscan traditions shape daily life, and its celebrated athletic legacy is among the most storied in Illinois high school sports. The school rounds out the state's leading Catholic options.

Joliet Catholic fits families in the Joliet area who want tradition, faith formation, and a strong athletic culture in a coed setting. It trades away the broader course catalogs and college-placement reach of the top five schools above, and its distance from Chicago limits access for city families. Compared with Montini above, Joliet Catholic offers a stronger athletic legacy but a smaller suburban footprint.

How we ranked these

Each school was scored on four weighted pillars: academics and college outcomes (curriculum depth, AP and honors access, multi-year matriculation results) at the heaviest weight; faith formation and mission identity (Jesuit, Dominican, Benedictine, Carmelite, diocesan) next; program breadth across arts, athletics, service, and signature offerings third; and value and access, including tuition range and financial aid depth, last. Only currently operating Illinois Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago and statewide were eligible.

Deliberately excluded: single-year athletic championships, alumni fame, marketing claims, and campus facilities age, because none reliably predict four-year student outcomes. We also ignored raw enrollment size and acceptance-rate hype, since selectivity at Catholic schools often reflects applicant volume rather than instructional quality. No weight was given to paid placements or promotional profiles, and no school was included on reputation alone without verifiable academic and college-placement evidence.

What to look for

Fit of charism matters more than rank. A Jesuit school like Loyola or Saint Ignatius runs on inquiry and service; Fenwick's Dominican culture centers study and truth; Benet's Benedictine rhythm stresses community and prayer. Ask how that tradition appears in the daily schedule, retreat requirements, and discipline philosophy, not just the mission statement. Also compare coed versus single-sex honestly, since Mount Carmel offers a very different social environment than Marist or Carmel Catholic.

Get the money and logistics right before falling in love. Request a multi-year college matriculation list, the full AP and honors catalog, and the counselor-to-student ratio, then ask for a need-based aid estimate in writing. The common mistake is comparing sticker tuition across schools without aid, or choosing on athletic reputation and campus feel while ignoring commute time, activity depth, and whether the charism actually suits your child.

Related questions

How does Loyola Academy compare with Saint Ignatius College Prep?

Both are Jesuit and academically elite, but they differ in setting and scale. Loyola in Wilmette is the largest Jesuit secondary school in the country, with enormous program breadth and athletics. Saint Ignatius sits in a historic Chicago landmark near the West Side, with a more urban, classical college-prep feel and intense academics. Visit both to see which culture fits.

Is Marist High School really a better value than North Shore Catholic schools?

On tuition, generally yes. Marist pairs a deep AP and honors slate, strong STEM focus, and extensive activities with pricing well below North Shore independents. Value depends on aid, though: ask each school for a need-based estimate, since strong aid packages can narrow the gap. Marist's Southwest Side location also changes commute math for many families.

What is the difference between Jesuit and Dominican Catholic high schools?

Jesuit schools like Loyola and Saint Ignatius emphasize inquiry, reflection, and service, with retreats and community engagement central to formation. Dominican schools like Fenwick stress study, truth, and preaching, producing a rigorous academic culture with a distinct intellectual flavor. Both are demanding, but the rhythm of prayer, service, and classroom expectation differs in ways families notice during visits.

Should my child attend a single-sex or coeducational Catholic high school?

Illinois offers strong options on both sides. Mount Carmel is an all-boys Carmelite school with a storied athletic and academic tradition, while Loyola, Fenwick, Benet, Marist, and Carmel Catholic are coed. Single-sex settings can reduce social distraction for some students; coed settings mirror college and career environments. Fit matters more than the category, so shadow visits are essential.

How much does financial aid matter at Illinois Catholic high schools?

Enormously. Tuition ranges widely, from Southwest Side schools like Marist to North Shore and suburban independents, and the strongest schools maintain meaningful need-based aid and scholarship programs. Families should request an aid estimate before ruling out a school on sticker price. Ask whether aid renews annually, what documentation is required, and how merit awards interact with need-based grants.

Do these Catholic high schools offer strong STEM programs?

Yes, though depth varies. Marist has a respected STEM focus, Carmel Catholic's modern facilities support advanced science coursework, and Loyola and Fenwick offer extensive AP and honors sequences in math and science. Ask for the actual course catalog and lab requirements rather than marketing language, and check whether dual-credit or research partnerships exist with nearby universities.

How important is the college counseling office when comparing these schools?

Very. Strong Catholic schools pair rigor with personalized college advising, and counselor-to-student ratios vary sharply. Ask how many students each counselor handles, when college planning begins, and whether the school hosts college rep visits. Request a multi-year matriculation list rather than a single year's acceptances, since one strong class can distort the picture.

Are athletics a reasonable reason to choose a Catholic high school?

Athletics can enrich the experience, but it is a weak primary criterion. Loyola, Mount Carmel, Marist, and Joliet Catholic all have celebrated athletic traditions, yet rosters change and coaching staffs turnover. Choose first on academics, charism, and fit, then confirm the athletic program suits your child's level and that playing time and development are realistic.

FAQ

What is the best Catholic high school in Illinois?

Loyola Academy in Wilmette is our top overall pick. As the largest Jesuit secondary school in the United States, it combines a deep AP and honors catalog, selective college placement, powerhouse athletics, strong arts, and Jesuit service formation. Its scale supports resources few Illinois Catholic schools can match, making it the benchmark for academics and program breadth statewide.

Which Illinois Catholic high school offers the best value?

Marist High School on Chicago's Southwest Side is our best-value choice. It delivers strong academics, a respected STEM focus, an unusually deep activities menu, and competitive Chicago Catholic League athletics at tuition well below North Shore independents. Families should still request aid estimates, since packages vary and can change the comparison.

Are there all-boys Catholic high schools in Illinois?

Yes. Mount Carmel High School on Chicago's South Side is a leading all-boys school in the Carmelite tradition, known for college-prep academics, character formation, and a storied athletic program. It offers a distinct alternative to coeducational schools like Loyola, Fenwick, Benet, Marist, and Carmel Catholic for families considering single-sex education.

What religious orders run Illinois Catholic high schools?

Illinois Catholic schools span several charisms: Jesuit (Loyola Academy, Saint Ignatius College Prep), Dominican (Fenwick), Benedictine (Benet Academy), Carmelite (Mount Carmel, Joliet Catholic), Marist (Marist High School), and Sisters of St. Joseph (Nazareth Academy). Each tradition shapes retreats, service requirements, discipline, and daily culture differently, so ask how it shows up in practice.

Do Illinois Catholic high schools offer financial aid?

Most of the strongest schools maintain need-based aid and scholarship programs, so families should request an estimate rather than assume a school is unaffordable. Ask whether aid renews annually, what documentation is required, and how merit awards interact with need-based grants. Comparing sticker tuition alone is the most common financial mistake families make.

How were these ten Catholic high schools ranked?

We weighted academics and college outcomes most heavily, then faith formation and mission, program breadth across arts, athletics, and service, and finally value and access including aid. We excluded single-year athletic titles, alumni fame, and marketing claims. Only currently operating Illinois Catholic high schools with verifiable academic and college-placement evidence were eligible.

Where are these Catholic high schools located?

The list spans Chicago and its suburbs. Loyola is in Wilmette, Saint Ignatius in Chicago's Near West Side, Fenwick in Oak Park, Mount Carmel on the South Side, Marist in Mount Greenwood, Benet in Lisle, Nazareth in La Grange Park, Carmel Catholic in Mundelein, Montini in Lombard, and Joliet Catholic in Joliet.

What should families ask on a Catholic high school visit?

Ask for a multi-year college matriculation list, the full AP and honors catalog, and the counselor-to-student ratio. Ask how the school's charism shapes retreats, service, and discipline. Request a written financial-aid estimate and confirm renewal terms. Finally, ask about commute, transportation, and how activities and athletics fit your child's actual interests.

Is a larger Catholic high school always better?

No. Larger schools like Loyola and Carmel Catholic support broader course catalogs and activities, but smaller schools such as Nazareth and Montini offer more individual attention and tighter community. The right size depends on your child's temperament. A student who thrives in a large, busy environment differs from one who needs to be known personally by teachers.

How early should we start applying to Illinois Catholic high schools?

Begin exploring in seventh grade and plan visits and shadow days in eighth grade. Most Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools open applications in the fall of eighth grade, with entrance exams and aid deadlines following in winter. Starting early gives families time to compare aid offers, arrange transportation, and prepare for placement testing without pressure.

Sources

• https://schools.archchicago.org/
• https://www.goramblers.org/
• https://www.fenwickfriars.com/
• https://www.ignatius.org/
• https://www.benet.org/
• https://www.mtcarmel.net/
• https://www.marist.net/
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/illinois
• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/s/illinois/
• https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/

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