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Lake Forest Academy Photo #6 - 100% of our graduates are college-bound and pursue studies at schools across the nation and around the world. LFA hosts numerous alumni events throughout the year and many of our alumni keep in lifelong contact with their teachers and coaches.

Lake Forest Academy

1500 W Kennedy Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Tel: (847) 615-3257
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Lake Forest Academy Photo #1 - Located on the former estate of J. Odgen Armour, various historical and modern buildings comprise Lake Forest Academy's 150-acre campus, including the Cressey Center for the Arts, the Reyes Family Science Center, and a newly expanded athletic center.
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Lake Forest Academy Photo #1 - Located on the former estate of J. Odgen Armour, various historical and modern buildings comprise Lake Forest Academy's 150-acre campus, including the Cressey Center for the Arts, the Reyes Family Science Center, and a newly expanded athletic center.
Lake Forest Academy Photo #2 - A LFA education extends well beyond campus. The Stuart Center for Global Leadership (located in the JC Cowart Student Center) offers enriching travel opportunities for all students. Students have traveled to various countries, including to Italy, China, Peru and Ghana in recent years.
Lake Forest Academy Photo #3 - Lake Forest Academy's rigorous academic program challenges students to be independent thinkers and prepares them for collegiate studies. A student's curriculum is composed of a core set of academic subjects and a broad range of freely elected courses. Students must satisfy a minimum of 18 course credits over four years to earn an LFA diploma.
Lake Forest Academy Photo #4 - The arts are integral to an LFA education. Through a robust arts curriculum and various extracurricular opportunities, students develop as creative and curious thinkers. In addition, the Arts Concentration program invites eager students to engage in more concentrated study of the visual arts, music, and theater.
Lake Forest Academy Photo #5 - LFA's academic calendar follows a block schedule which rotates on a seven school day cycle. Each schedule is tailored to the individual student and provides non-class time to get a head start on homework, attend a club meeting, get extra help from a teacher or catch up with friends.
Lake Forest Academy Photo #6 - LFA thrives on a culture of participation in all aspects of campus life and especially in school athletics. Over their tenure at the Academy, students join several of our 27 interscholastic sports teams and proudly represent LFA in our orange and white team uniforms. The LFA athletic program uplifts sportsmanship and the individual success of each student-athlete.
Lake Forest Academy Photo #7 - 100% of our graduates are college-bound and pursue studies at schools across the nation and around the world. LFA hosts numerous alumni events throughout the year and many of our alumni keep in lifelong contact with their teachers and coaches.
Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy is an independent coeducational college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve.
Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • Top Ranked IL School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 452 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $54,950
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Lake Forest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:

Category
Attribute
SAT Score
Highest average SAT score
ACT Score
Highest average ACT score
Acceptance Rate
Lowest average acceptance rates
Student Body
Largest student body
AP Courses
Most AP courses offered
Sports offered
Most sports offered
Extracurriculars
Most extracurriculars offered
School History
Oldest founding date
School Resources
Largest endowments

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
State or regional independent school association
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Religious Affiliation
Nonsectarian
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1857
Colors
Orange & black
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
Last Day of School
Fri. Jun 5, 2026
Campus Size
150 acres

Student Body

Total Students
452 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
43%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Lake Forest Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
65 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
24 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Art HistoryAP Biology
AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC
AP ChemistryAP Chinese Language & Culture
AP Computer ScienceAP Economics
AP English Language & CompositionAP English Literature & Composition
AP Environmental ScienceAP French Language & Culture
AP Latin Language & CultureAP Music Theory
AP Physics CAP Psychology
AP Spanish Language & CultureAP Spanish Literature & Culture
AP StatisticsAP United States History
AP World History
Average SAT score
1430
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
32
(Out of 36)
Classroom Dress Code
Formal

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$54,950
View national tuition avg.
Tuition Notes
The 2025 - 2026 school year tuition for day students is $54,950 and the tuition for boarding students is $75,975.
% on Financial Aid
34%
Acceptance Rate
31%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Carolyn Gorowski
Application URL
Endowment Size
$62.2 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered
15 sports
Sports
BaseballBasketball
CheeringCross Country
Field HockeyGolf
Ice HockeyLacrosse
SoccerSoftball
SquashSwimming
TennisTrack and Field
Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
25 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Amnesty InternationalArchive Club
Black Student UnionCaxy Comedy
DebateFuture Business Leaders of America
Gender and Sexuality AllianceHarlow Society
Investment ClubJewish Student Union (JSU)
Literary MagazineMath Team
Model UNMuslim Student Union
PhotographyScholastic Bowl
Science OlympiadStudent Ambassadors
Students Demand ActionSustainability Club
Symphony for ServiceThe Spectator
UNIDOS


Arts and Music Programs:
Co-AxVOX

School Notes

  • School Motto: Midwestern Heart. Global Mind.
  • School Mascot: Caxy
  • Lake Forest Academy, founded in 1857, is an independent coeducational college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through twelve.
  • Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Jean Harlow - Actress
    • Bix Biederbecke - Jazz cornet player
    • Bradley Russell Weinberger - Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice
    • David Bradley - Film director
    • Judy Baar Topinka - Former Illinois State Treasurer
    • Frances Perkins - First female Secretary of Labor
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Lake Forest Academy cost?
Lake Forest Academy's tuition is approximately $54,950 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Lake Forest Academy?
The acceptance rate of Lake Forest Academy is 31%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. Lake Forest Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Illinois with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Lake Forest Academy?
Lake Forest Academy famous alumni include: Jean Harlow, Bix Biederbecke, Bradley Russell Weinberger, David Bradley, Judy Baar Topinka and Frances Perkins.
Does Lake Forest Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Lake Forest Academy offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.
What sports does Lake Forest Academy offer?
Lake Forest Academy offers 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Lake Forest Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for most sports offered.
What is Lake Forest Academy's ranking?
Lake Forest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Lake Forest Academy?
The application deadline for Lake Forest Academy is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • Top Ranked IL School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 452 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $54,950
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Lake Forest, IL is $14,848 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Lake Forest, IL is 72% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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