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Average

#398 of 716 private schools in IL

Forest Bluff School

Elementary School

8 W SCRANTON AVE, Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Lake Bluff

#2 of 2

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#238 of 471

About Forest Bluff School

Forest Bluff School is a charming elementary school nestled in the picturesque suburb of Lake Bluff, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Forest Bluff offers a small and close-knit community with an enrollment of just 100 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs.

Forest Bluff School has eight full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment focused on both academic achievement and personal growth. Although specific test score data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating suggests there is room for improvement in academic performance. However, this setting allows ample opportunities for educators to tailor their teaching methods to best serve their students.

Situated in a large suburban area, Forest Bluff School benefits from its tranquil neighborhood and access to local resources such as parks, libraries, and community centers that enhance the educational experience beyond the classroom walls. This school is ideal for families seeking a warm, nurturing environment where children can thrive academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Forest Bluff School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Forest Bluff School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$24,513
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$65,745
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
2.68x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
35%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$17.6M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 100 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Forest Bluff School compares to the 2 public schools in Lake Bluff, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
This School
vs
10.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
100
This School
vs
441
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
7.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90% vs 0%
Asian 10% vs 0%
Forest Bluff School Lake Bluff Public Avg

All Schools in Lake Bluff

School Rating
Forest Bluff School (this school) 6.2
Lake Bluff Middle School 5.6
Lake Bluff Elem Sch 9.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,246
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 18%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 100
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.0%
Asian 10.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

8 W SCRANTON AVE, Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest Bluff School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Bluff Elem Sch (rated 9.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sheridan Elem School (rated 9.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Forest), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forrestal Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Great Lakes), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Bluff, see our Lake Bluff schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Bluff Middle School Lake Bluff 0.4 mi 5.6
Lake Bluff Elem Sch Lake Bluff 0.5 mi 9.8
Lake Forest High School Lake Forest 1.1 mi 8.2
Sheridan Elem School Lake Forest 1.2 mi 9.1
LEARN Chtr Sch 6 N Chicago Campus Great Lakes 1.8 mi 6.6
Forrestal Elem School Great Lakes 1.8 mi 7.7
Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest 2.2 mi 7.1
SCHOOL OF ST MARY Lake Forest 2.2 mi 7.0
Deer Path Middle Sch West Lake Forest 2.2 mi 5.8
SAFE HAVEN SCHOOL Lake Bluff 1.8 mi 6.3
LEARN 10 Charter School North Chicago 2.5 mi 6.4
LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lake Forest 3.0 mi 7.7
Neal Math Science Academy North Chicago 3.1 mi 7.3
Green Bay Early Childhood Center North Chicago 3.0 mi 7.2
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Lake Forest 3.2 mi 8.6
North Chicago Community High Sch North Chicago 3.3 mi 6.7
A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago 3.3 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAKE FOREST Lake Forest 2.7 mi 6.4
LAKE FOREST ACADEMY Lake Forest 3.2 mi 9.1
Cherokee Elem School Lake Forest 3.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,546

Median Home Value

$568,500

Median Rent

$1,672/mo

Population

10,289

College Educated

66.5%

Homeownership

68.9%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Forest Bluff School has a median household income of $127,546. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $568,500, with a median rent of $1,672/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AUGUSTUS TOLTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY Chicago, IL 6.2
DOWNERS GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downers Grove, IL 6.2
Farmersville Elem School Farmersville, IL 6.2
Hollywood Elem School Brookfield, IL 6.2
ICCI ACADEMY Chicago, IL 6.2
Malden Grade School Malden, IL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest Bluff School

What grades does Forest Bluff School serve?

Forest Bluff School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Forest Bluff School?

Forest Bluff School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Bluff School?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest Bluff School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Forest Bluff School rank in IL?

Forest Bluff School is ranked #398 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is Forest Bluff School's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest Bluff School has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Forest Bluff School a private school?

Yes, Forest Bluff School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Forest Bluff School a religious school?

No, Forest Bluff School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (871/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Bluff). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
100
Gender Split
78% M / 22% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
LAKE
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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