Welcome to the annual Champaign-Urbana Area Private School Guide! This guide focuses on area private schools for elementary, middle school and high school students. Listings are not recommendations; we offer this list as a community service.
Featured Listings for the 2016 Champaign-Urbana Private School Guide are sponsors of chambanamoms.com
Campus Middle School for Girls
The mission of Campus Middle School for Girls is to promote academic excellence in a nurturing environment where girls can become confident and enthusiastic lifelong learners. In service to this mission, CMS provides: a challenging curriculum that encourages girls to set high expectations for themselves; small class sizes that allow a high level of student participation and teacher attention; diverse curriculum offerings that allow girls to explore an array of subjects, express themselves creatively, and work toward mastery in a variety of disciplines; a safe and positive social environment that enables adolescent girls to achieve a sense of emotional and physical well-being; community service opportunities that encourage students to become reflective, responsible global citizens; and close ties to the University of Illinois and surrounding community that expose students to working scholars, laboratories, museums, libraries and other resources.
What Makes Your School Unique: CMS is the only single-gender middle school for girls in the Champaign-Urbana area.
What the Director Says: Campus Middle School for Girls provides a rich, challenging curriculum in a small environment that allows girls to take risks and responsibility for their learning. –Tami Adams, Executive Director
Affiliation: Independent
Grades Served: 6-8
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): February 6 and February 27, 2016, 1:00 p.m.
Location: First United Methodist Church, 304 S. Race Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana
For more information: website or call (217) 344-8279
Next Generation School
Preparing the leaders of tomorrow to have the courage to lead, the curiosity to discover, the wisdom to learn, and the inspiration to initiate change. Next Generation School is an independent, private school offering superior educational opportunities in a loving, nurturing environment. Our holistic approach to education enables our students to realize their fullest potential and become life-long learners who can successfully navigate the world.
What Makes Your School Unique: For nearly three decades we have been guiding students on a journey of discovery while instilling in them the courage of conviction and the tenacity to be outstanding. By celebrating the uniqueness of the individual and uncovering the unlimited potential of each student, we create an environment where children thrive and flourish. The atmosphere of our school and academic nature of our program has a profound effect on the lives of our students. Because they are continually challenged to think critically and explore limitless possibilities, our students are well prepared for the challenges that await them in higher education and beyond.
What the Director Says: Next Generation School dedicates itself to educating the whole child – ensuring his or her academic growth as well as fostering social and emotional development. By providing a multitude of learning experiences in core academics in addition to Physical Education and the Fine and Performing Arts, students grow into accomplished and confident individuals. This richness of experience sets the stage for a lifetime of learning and leadership that Next Generation School is proud to foster. – Chris Bronowski, Head of School
Affiliation: AdvancED
Grades Served: K-8
Location: Next Generation Primary and Middle School, 2521 Galen Drive, Champaign
For more information: website or call (217) 356-6995
Countryside School
Founded in 1992, Countryside School is a co-ed, independent, nonprofit, K-8 school that offers an accelerated, hands-on curriculum in a warm and nurturing environment. We encourage high academic achievement and emphasize balanced growth – intellectual, emotional, and social – for every student. The school’s beautiful 13-acre campus in west Champaign includes a full size gym and performing arts stage. Our mission is simple: “Joy in Learning, Excellence in Education.”
What Makes Your School Unique: Countryside is the only ISACS accredited, nonprofit independent school in the C-U area. Countryside offers a rigorous, highly engaging, hands-on academic curriculum balanced with physical education, fine arts, and character education. Foreign language instruction begins in kindergarten for all students. Our unique, nontraditional structure features multi-age, team-taught classrooms with low student-teacher ratios. A positive, warm, and nurturing school culture is the heart of Countryside. Financial aid is available.
What the Director Says: “Countryside is the school that you wish you could have attended as a child. Our classrooms are filled with joyful, intrinsically motivated, bright children who are eager to learn. Our superior faculty challenge our students to be the best scholars they can be while instilling a joy of learning that stays with them well after they have graduated. I recommend coming to see our dynamic, rigorous, and exciting learning environment in action by scheduling a tour.” – Stephanie Harman, Head of School
Affiliation: Independent – Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); Illinois State Board of Education
Grades Served: K-8
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): Elementary Information Night (grades K-5): Thursday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the school. Childcare available for ages 3-8. Middle School Information Night (grades 6-8): Thursday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the school.
Location: Countryside School, 4301 W. Kirby Avenue, Champaign
For more information: website or call (217) 355-1253
Carle Auditory Oral School
Carle Auditory Oral School (CAOS) is a private school program focused on listening and spoken language development. Originally founded as a school for children with hearing loss, it was quickly discovered that the hands-on, language-rich learning environment has tremendous benefits for children with normal hearing as well. Small class sizes, highly-skilled teachers, thematic lessons and environmental learning give students the edge they need to be successful both in and outside of school.
What Makes Your School Unique: At Carle Auditory Oral School, children with hearing loss learn alongside those with normal hearing, creating an ideal environment for developing communication and social skills.
What the Director Says: CAOS strives to provide children with a solid foundation of self-confidence, concern for others, academic readiness and enthusiasm for the learning process. –Danielle Darcy, Director, Carle Auditory Oral School
Affiliation: Carle Foundation Hospital
Grades Served: Preschool to 2nd grade
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): Please call to schedule a tour.
Location: Carle Auditory Oral School, 805 W. Park Street, Urbana
For more information: website or call (217) 326-2824
University Primary School (Uni Primary School)
University Primary School (Uni Primary) is The University of Illinois; College of Education’s Preschool-5th grade Reggio Emilia inspired lab school. Across our multi-age classrooms, children are engaged in creative, challenging, and meaningful curricular inquiries using The Project Approach. Uni Primary’s democratic classroom communities make effective use of cooperation, negotiation, and choice as a means to foster children’s curiosity and love of learning.
What Makes Your School Unique: We value innovation and connectedness across all content areas, with problem solving and self-directed learning paired alongside teacher guided instruction and activities.
What the Director Says: Located on campus at The University of Illinois, Uni Primary students are inspired by experts in a variety of fields, tour museums and archives, visit labs, and make discoveries shared in a young research community. Come over for a visit, and see the “serious delight” in our learning day for yourself. -Dr. Ali Lewis, University Primary School Director
Affiliation: University of Illinois; College of Education
Grades Served: Preschool-5th Grade
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): Community Open House for Prospective Families, Alumni, and Researchers: Thursday, February 18 9:00 AM-3:00 PM or schedule a site visit by calling Uni Primary at 217-333-3996. A Prospective Family Information Meeting will be held Wednesday, February 24 6:00-7:30 PM at the school.
Location: Children’s Research Center, 51 Gerty Drive, Champaign
For more information: website or call 217-333-3996
St. John Lutheran School
Lutheran Schools have a distinct, consistent theology and clear mission, beginning with the Bible as the inerrant word of God. Our teachers take the time to learn about their students, and respond to meet their needs at each learner’s level. We also seek to model servant leadership by serving others before self, empathizing with others, and providing opportunities for students to serve; while at the same time working to instill discipline in students by using God’s teachings and commandments coupled with His grace and forgiveness appropriately in a loving, supportive environment.
What Makes Your School Unique: We believe that skilled, caring teachers deploying a variety of strategies can best meet the needs of our students, so our elementary classrooms are organized with two traditional grade levels per classroom with one full-time teacher and 2 additional resource teachers to allow for flexible, responsive groupings and instruction.
What the Director Says: At St. John, we strive to help parents lay the foundations for their children’s futures. Our caring and committed staff seeks to provide for the spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of our students. As a school, we are grounded in the Word of God and committed to providing an outstanding education for each child in preschool through eighth grade. -Joel Burgener, Principal
Affiliation: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Grades Served: Pre-K – 8
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): Tuesdays in February and Early March from 11-1 or call to make an appointment for a personal tour.
Location: St. John Lutheran Church and School, 509 S. Mattis Ave., Champaign
For more information: website or call (217) 359-1714
Judah Christian School
Judah Christian School is a private, interdenominational Christian school (PreK-12th) that has a 30 year history in the C-U community. The school offers excellent academics taught by caring, certified teachers. The school is a member of the IESA and IHSA and offers outstanding extra-curricular choices, including fabulous fine arts. JCS is in the midst of a campaign and efforts to move to 51 acres in southwest Champaign at the intersection of Kirby and Rising Road.
What makes your school unique?: JCS strives to educate students from a Biblical perspective and focuses on teaching children the way God has created them to learn. Further, JCS is a fun and safe place to learn where teachers spend their time teaching the whole child. Classrooms and hallways are controlled and the family atmosphere truly sets JCS apart.
What the director says: “As the CEO and current parent of four, I can attest to the fact that Judah is truly a special place. Immediately upon entering the school you know something is different. The atmosphere speaks of family, safety, care and excellence. With very affordable tuition and eternal rewards, JCS is an invaluable investment.” –Mike Chitty, Chief Educational Officer
Affiliation: ISBE, ACSI
Grades Served: Preschool & K-12
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): Join us for Fantastic Friday Open Houses from 9am-2pm every Friday school is in session from Feb-May.
School Location: Judah Christian School, 908 N. Prospect Ave, Champaign
For more information: website or (217)359-1701
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School, a pre-K through grade 8 Catholic school, offers an academic environment like no other in Champaign-Urbana. Nationally accredited by stringent AdvancED standards, our focus is on academic excellence. Our outstanding curriculum provides a solid foundation in core academics, with test scores significantly higher than the national average. Our curriculum includes full-time art, music, and physical education programs, and our school features a 9,000 volume library, an updated computer lab, and smart-board equipped classrooms.
What makes your school unique?: Holy Cross is more than a school; it’s a joyful community. Reflecting the diversity of the CU community, students of numerous faiths and backgrounds come to learn in a Catholic setting.
What the director says: Parents often tell us one reason they choose Holy Cross School is the sense of community they feel when they walk through our doors. Their children feel welcome, cared for and safe. Many students and families build friendships that last a lifetime. From athletic competitions to family events, school activities and liturgical celebrations, we learn, play, pray and grow together. — Mrs. Chris Ellis, Principal
Affiliation: Holy Cross Catholic Church (Catholic Diocese of Peoria)
Grades Served: Preschool (age 3-4) up to 8th grade
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): Tours available anytime
School Location: Holy Cross School, 410 W White Street, Champaign
For more information: website or (217)356-9521
Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana
We provide individualized instruction according to each child’s age, abilities and interests following the Montessori philosophy and the Montessori method of education. Each classroom is a carefully prepared environment allowing children to learn through action.
What makes your school unique?: We follow Dr. Montessori’s philosophy through the use of her method of education which remains relevant to today’s children and studies regarding social and cognitive development.
What the director says: “Come and visit us to learn more about our passion for educating children in an environment that is supportive and encouraging of self direction.” –George Cook, Administrator
Affiliation: American Montessori Society Grades Served: 1st – 6th
Open House/Informational Meeting Date(s): TBA Enrollment Contact: George Cook School
Location: Montessori School of Campaign Urbana, 1403 Regency Drive East, Savoy
For more information: website or (217)356-1818
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