Lake Forest Academy Tuition: A Comprehensive Overview
Lake Forest Academy (LFA), an independent coeducational college preparatory school in Lake Forest, Illinois, offers education for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve. Founded in 1857, the academy is situated on a 150-acre campus in the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest. LFA is committed to fostering excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility in its students, embodying these values in its practices.
Academics and Rankings
Lake Forest Academy is highly regarded, securing the No. 36 position nationally among nearly 5,000 private high schools and No. 13 among 426 boarding schools in the 10th annual national rankings. It stands out as one of only three Illinois schools to be included in the national top 100, and the only one located outside of Chicago.
The school boasts a rigorous academic environment with an average class size of 12 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6:1. The academy provides a wide array of advanced courses, including 24 AP courses, such as AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language & Culture, AP Computer Science, AP Economics, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language & Culture, AP Latin Language & Culture, AP Music Theory, AP Physics C, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Spanish Literature & Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History and AP World History.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Lake Forest Academy seeks to make education accessible to all qualified students. For the 2025-2026 school year, the tuition for day students is $54,950, while boarding students pay $75,975. These amounts include tuition, room & board, and fees.
LFA demonstrates a commitment to affordability by offering over $6.3 million in financial aid grants annually. These grants are primarily need-based, with the amount varying based on each family’s financial situation. Approximately 31 percent of the student body receives financial aid. In addition to need-based aid, Lake Forest Academy offers a limited number of merit scholarships, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, which do not require a separate application.
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To streamline the financial aid process, Lake Forest Academy partners with Clarity, which helps families estimate their expected contribution to educational expenses based on the financial information provided.
Admission
Lake Forest Academy has an acceptance rate of 31%, lower than the national average of 84%. The application deadline is January 15, with rolling admissions considered thereafter.
Student Life and Extracurricular Activities
The student population at Lake Forest Academy is 437, with a minority student enrollment of 57.9%. LFA is a diverse community with students from all corners of the globe; 26% of students come from outside the United States, representing 16 states and 33 countries.
Lake Forest Academy offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, including 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball. The school also provides a range of artistic options and over 25 extracurricular organizations.
LFA emphasizes global citizenship, cultivating a deeper sense of global awareness and understanding throughout its curriculum. Travel programs expose students to diverse cultures, ideas, and opportunities, encouraging them to investigate the world and its complexities.
Read also: Office of Education Initiatives
Campus and Facilities
Lake Forest Academy is situated on a beautiful 150-acre wooded campus in the northern Chicago suburb of Lake Forest. The campus features academic buildings, residence halls, a gymnasium and ice hockey rink, playing fields, and faculty homes. Many buildings have been added and renovated.
Traditions
Lake Forest Academy has several important traditions, including:
- Move-Up Day: This tradition began at Ferry Hall in 1906 and is held the day before Graduation. Departmental awards and speeches are given, and each class "moves up" to take the place they will occupy the next year.
- All-School Handshake: At the beginning of each year, every student, faculty member, and administrator gathers in the formal gardens and participates in the all-school handshake.
- The House Cup: The House Cup Competition was established in 2004. Students are divided into four houses (Lewis, Sargent, Welch, and Bird) and compete in various events throughout the year.
Read also: Your Guide to Big Lake Community Education
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