Would be great to know! Thanks @jym626
So I live in Chicago but work in Naperville. You have 2 very solid school systems. Many go to T20. Unless your moving near his school all but Bennet would not be worth it for you.To get me home is now 1.5 - 2 hours due to construction. Heās not gonna want to do that. Many friends would want to do stuff after school. It will be more of a hassle then itās worth. This has a really good reputation. https://www.imsa.edu/
What school is in your district for high school?
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Iām surprised with living in Aurora/Naperville area that IMSA wasnāt mentioned in the first post. Especially for a student interested in math/sciences.
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I donāt think the data support that private HSs will give your student a better chance at T20 admits than either of the Naperville HSs. If anyone has said data, please do share.
Iāve known Asian students who have attended St Ignatius (and other local private catholic schools), who werenāt sure they would make that choice againā¦but parents often drive the decisions for high school sadly. Many students at Catholic schools may be accepting of students from other religions and/or students whose beliefs might not necessarily match Catholicism teachings, but that doesnāt mean there might not be uncomfortable situationsā¦some specific examples include prayers that end meetings/pep rallies/other get togethers, and overt references to a pro-life beliefs (some times incorporated into said prayers) from teachers and administrators. If you are thinking of going that route, I encourage you to speak to families with similar religions/values/beliefs to your family.
I would also make sure that your student is an important part of the decision making process about where they attend school.
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I do not actually think that there is any high school in Illinois which can compare to IMSA for STEM.
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Agreed, but a fit school for sure.
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True, especially since itās also a boarding school.
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One thing about private schools I havenāt seen address here yet, and maybe OP has already thought about it is whether a family will be comfortable with the fundraising/donation aspects expected of the families attending the school.
It isnāt just the cost of attendance. And while most of the donation/fundraising is voluntary - it is also expected. Just another aspect of the āfitā issue with any private school.
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Iād also question your definition of T20 schools. For Engineering or CS, schools like UIUC, Michigan, Purdue, and Wisconsin are T20.
The commute from Naperville to any of the city schools would be a deal breaker for me. Naperville schools are excellent. If youād really prefer private, take a good hard look at Benet.
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I can assure that there are plenty of people who do not give or volunteer. And have no problem with it. But yes, there is a strong expectation.
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Oh, Iām well aware of the fact there are people who donāt give or volunteer at private schools. Itās a big topic of conversation amongst the parents who are giving/volunteering when they get together for projects and fund raising drives. As well as group chats.
Some schoolās vibe are pretty laid back about that as an issue. Other schools definitely not so much. Can be a social fit issue.
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Now that I know you are in Naperville I would say none of the privates will compare to your public schools. Maybe Lab. Payton or Northside might be worth moving for. I would never consider that commute for any of them - honestly not even Benet is worth it. Your schools are great.
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I donāt understand the motivation to have your child attend a private school in Chicago when you have equally great schools, and arguably better, there in Naperville. These private schools are no better in getting your child into a T20, if thatās your focus. Also, it would come at a high price for very little bang for your buck. The amount of time lost commuting would hinder your childās ability to feel part of the school and ability to participate in extracurriculars. One of the reasons we choose boarding over Latin and Lab was that he would be in one place. S24 was pulled between club swimming and his school. He had friends in both but his world was too bifurcated.
My cousinās children graduated from Benet Academy in Lisle, IL. It is a Catholic school (Benedictine) and preference in admissions is given to kids who are Catholic and I believe being a legacy also helps with admissions (cousinās husband went there). Both kids graduated from Big 10 universities. One went to Notre Dame and is now working in marketing in Chicago. The other went to Purdue and is a nuclear engineer (works for an electric power company). My cousin and her husband lived in Naperville (which was not far from the school). I think both kids had a good experience.
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What do you want me to ask? She and her siblings all attended Benet but they are now in their late 20ās- early 30ās.
I would absolutely not have a child commute in from Naperville to go to any school in the city, even if I had a chauffeur to move them around. There is no worse use of time than sitting in traffic. If you want them to be educated in the city, you should move. If thatās not possible, work with what you have out west.
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If your kid wants more math or wants to excel check this out in Naperville.
The owner is also an amazing chess coach if heās still there.
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Benet Academy is an excellent school with great college placement but as noted above preference is given to Catholic students. Far more take the entrance exam there than they can admit.
Which Naperville HS would your child attend? Unless you want to move into the city I would not recommend sending your student to a city school- way too long to commute.
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