Skip to main content

Excellent

#15 of 716 private schools in IL

Top 2% of private schools

Willows Academy

High School

1015 ROSE AVE, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Des Plaines. Learn more

Enrollment

182

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

8.6

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Des Plaines

#1 of 4

public schools

Illinois high schools

#3 of 91

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Willows Academy

Wyllows Academy is a regular public high school located in Des Plaines, Illinois. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 182 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from its 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Wyllows Academy is 4.7 out of 10, placing it in the 75th percentile among Illinois schools based on state rankings.

While detailed test score data is not available, the school focuses on fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment where students can thrive academically and socially. Located in a small city setting, Wyllows Academy benefits from being part of a close-knit community that values education and supports its youth. Wyllows Academy sits at 1015 Rose Avenue, providing easy access for families in the Des Plaines area to drop by and see what the school has to offer.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 182 students, Willows Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Willows 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, Willows 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 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$23,576
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$22,992
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.98x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
80%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$5.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 182 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Willows Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Des Plaines, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
This School
vs
11.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
182
This School
vs
830
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.6
This School
vs
7.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 57.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 26.9% vs 0%
Asian 7.7% vs 0%
Black 1.1% vs 0%
Willows Academy Des Plaines Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Willows Academy (this school) 8.6
Algonquin Middle School 7.3
Chippewa Middle School 7.1
Maine West High School 6.8
Friendship Jr High School 8.5
Iroquois Community School 7.7

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 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,295
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 58%
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 182
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 57.1%
Hispanic 26.9%
Asian 7.7%
Two or More 4.9%
Native American 1.6%
Black 1.1%
Pacific Islander 0.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1015 ROSE AVE, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willows Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Brentwood Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Friendship Jr High School (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Des Plaines, see our Des Plaines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
PLATO ACADEMY Des Plaines 0.5 mi 7.8
Algonquin Middle School Des Plaines 0.7 mi 7.3
Central Elem School Des Plaines 0.6 mi 6.2
Forest Elem School Des Plaines 0.8 mi 5.2
Cumberland Elem School Des Plaines 1.2 mi 6.0
North Elementary School Des Plaines 0.9 mi 5.1
Chippewa Middle School Des Plaines 1.2 mi 7.1
Terrace Elem School Des Plaines 1.0 mi 7.1
SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY Des Plaines 1.0 mi 8.4
Maine West High School Des Plaines 1.3 mi 6.8
Plainfield Elem School Des Plaines 1.4 mi 5.1
South Elem School Des Plaines 1.5 mi 5.5
MARYVILLE JEN SCHOOL Des Plaines 1.9 mi
Devonshire School Des Plaines 1.6 mi 7.0
Brentwood Elem School Des Plaines 1.6 mi 8.7
GUARDIAN ANGEL ORTHODOX DAY SCHOOL Des Plaines 1.6 mi 6.5
JOSEPH ACADEMY Des Plaines 2.3 mi
Iroquois Community School Des Plaines 2.2 mi 7.7
Lions Park Elem School Mt. Prospect 2.1 mi 5.7
Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines 2.0 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,044

Median Home Value

$300,700

Median Rent

$1,406/mo

Population

60,520

College Educated

42.7%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

30.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Willows Academy has a median household income of $84,044. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $300,700, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
WOLCOTT SCHOOL Chicago, IL 8.6
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Lake Forest, IL 8.6
Air Force Acad High School Chicago, IL 8.7
JOSEPHINUM ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Chicago, IL 8.5
Brown County High School Mount Sterling, IL 8.4
ACE Amandla Charter School Chicago, IL 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willows Academy

What grades does Willows Academy serve?

Willows Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Willows Academy?

Willows Academy has an enrollment of approximately 182 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willows Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Willows Academy is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Willows Academy rank in IL?

Willows Academy is ranked #15 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is Willows Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Willows Academy has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Willows Academy a private school?

Yes, Willows Academy is a private all-girls school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Willows Academy a religious school?

Willows Academy has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,264/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Plaines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
182
Gender Split
0% M / 100% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
private
Coed Status
all-girls
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
185 days
Setting
Small City
County
COOK
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.