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Excellent

#3 of 716 private schools in IL

Top 1% of private schools

Lake Forest Academy

High School

1500 W KENNEDY RD, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

437

Student-Teacher

6.1:1

Score

9.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Lake Forest

#1 of 6

public schools

Illinois high schools

#1 of 91

About Lake Forest Academy

Lake Forest Academy is a high school located in the heart of Lake Forest, Illinois. With an enrollment of 437 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1, the school provides individualized attention to its learners. The campus houses 71 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students through a range of academic programs.

While specific test score data is not available, Lake Forest Academy holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks at the 78th percentile among Illinois schools. This suggests that while there may be room for improvement in certain areas, the school remains committed to fostering student development and academic growth. Set within a large suburban area, Lake Forest Academy benefits from its vibrant community setting.

The school is well-integrated into the local neighborhood, offering students numerous opportunities to engage with community resources and activities beyond the classroom.

What's said publicly about Lake Forest Academy

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Lake Forest Academy is a co-educational college preparatory school serving boarding and day students in grades 9 through 12 1 . Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, on the North Shore approximately 30 miles north of Chicago, the institution enrolled 435 students during the 2019–2020 school year 1 . The student body originates from 13 states and 35 countries 1 . Tom Johnson serves as the current head of school 1 . The school holds accreditation from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), and the Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB) 1 . It is characterized as one of the most selective boarding schools in the United States 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1, Lake Forest Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Lake Forest Academy 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 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$79,435
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$83,371
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.05x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
74%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$119.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 437 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Lake Forest Academy compares to the 7 public schools in Lake Forest, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
This School
vs
10:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
437
This School
vs
454
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
9.1
This School
vs
7.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 42.1% vs 0%
Asian 34.8% vs 0%
Black 6.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.4% vs 0%
Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest Public Avg

All Schools in Lake Forest

School Rating
Lake Forest Academy (this school) 9.1
Deer Path Middle Sch West 5.8
Deer Path Middle Sch East 7.1
Rondout Elem School 9.9
Everett Elem School 7.6
Lake Forest High School 8.2
Sheridan Elem School 9.1
Cherokee Elem School 6.3

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)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,296
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
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 437
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 42.1%
Asian 34.8%
Two or More 10.3%
Black 6.4%
Hispanic 6.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1500 W KENNEDY RD, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Forest Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lake Forest High School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SAFE HAVEN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Lake Bluff), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Forest, see our Lake Forest schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAKE FOREST Lake Forest 1.6 mi 6.4
Rondout Elem School Lake Forest 2.2 mi 9.9
SCHOOL OF ST MARY UPPER GRADE CENTER Lake Forest 2.1 mi 7.1
Everett Elem School Lake Forest 2.4 mi 7.6
Daniel Wright Jr High School Lincolnshire 2.6 mi 8.1
SAFE HAVEN SCHOOL Lake Bluff 2.7 mi 6.3
Deer Path Middle Sch West Lake Forest 2.1 mi 5.8
Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest 2.2 mi 7.1
SCHOOL OF ST MARY Lake Forest 2.5 mi 7.0
Lake Bluff Elem Sch Lake Bluff 3.1 mi 9.8
Laura B Sprague School Lincolnshire 3.6 mi 8.0
Lake Forest High School Lake Forest 2.9 mi 8.2
Lake Bluff Middle School Lake Bluff 3.1 mi 5.6
FOREST BLUFF SCHOOL Lake Bluff 3.2 mi 6.2
LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lake Forest 2.8 mi 7.7
Sheridan Elem School Lake Forest 3.1 mi 9.1
Copeland Manor Elem School Libertyville 3.3 mi 6.8
Oak Grove Elem School Libertyville 3.9 mi 8.4
Cherokee Elem School Lake Forest 3.2 mi 6.3
Forrestal Elem School Great Lakes 4.0 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$225,551

Median Home Value

$899,200

Median Rent

$2,321/mo

Population

20,957

College Educated

81.2%

Homeownership

89.2%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Forest Academy has a median household income of $225,551. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $899,200, with a median rent of $2,321/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Westmont High School Westmont, IL 9.0
Chicago Academy High School Chicago, IL 8.5
Southland College Prep Chtr HS Richton Park, IL 8.3
IC CATHOLIC PREP Elmhurst, IL 8.0
Chicago HS for the Arts Chicago, IL 7.9
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School Paxton, IL 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Forest Academy

What grades does Lake Forest Academy serve?

Lake Forest Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Lake Forest Academy?

Lake Forest Academy has an enrollment of approximately 437 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Academy is 6.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Lake Forest Academy rank in IL?

Lake Forest Academy is ranked #3 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is Lake Forest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Forest Academy has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Lake Forest Academy a private school?

Yes, Lake Forest Academy 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 Lake Forest Academy a religious school?

No, Lake Forest Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (646/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
437
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
162 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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