Northridge Preparatory School

8320 Ballard Road

Niles, IL 60714

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on January 06, 2025

This school does not teach Christian values and principles as advertised. Do not waste your money. There are plenty of better options.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2024

During the pandemic, I watched my child completely isolate. I saw children in the public education system start to turn on each other, simply for voicing their own thoughts and opinions. I heard about Northridge through friends of my sister, whose children went to Willows. From my very first phone call to Michelle Who is administrator at Northridge? I fell in love with the families the teachers, the staff, and the message of Faith, family and education. My Son started there in seventh grade and we’ve never looked back. He is now in ninth grader. They have helped strengthened his faith his love for his family And his overall respect for everyone. All the time, letting him be a boy who is now turning into an incredible young man there is not enough room on this review to tell you of the support and unending love that the school has given my family alone during some extremely hard times. I could not think more highly and will be sad when My Son graduates.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2022

It was one of our best decisions we made during pandemic to transfer our son to Northridge Prep. From the Principal to teachers and all the staff members, we feel that our son will be well educated and taken care of. Our son has become more independent, responsible and respectful. All the teachers are excellent.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2021

It is amazing school. Hands down. It helps boys to be young man, educationally, spiritually, emotionally. This is for boys school. and they love it. Ask them. Look also at the pictures form different events, available on the website. This is 6 star school!!!
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2016

My son is currently a high school senior at Northridge Prep, class of 2017, he has attended the school since 6th grade and have to say it is a great school. Academically tough, which is wonderful, you will notice a wonderful support system of other kids wanting to get great grades so the other students seem to follow the lead. They are proud to achieve something here, no cell phones in class, not much messing around in the halls, this is an all business school. Strict in the best of ways, the children are all very respectful, and that I appreciate. One day I was walking up to the front doors and I noticed a boy who recognized me race to the door to open it for me and great me like a true gentleman... so wonderful to see, so on purpose as I entered the atrium I met eyes of boys I did not know and tested their manners silently, as they all greater me with hello's and head nods with smiles, every one of them. In the world of self importance, and people racing to get where they are going it was a wonderful experience to see respect and kindness, simple passing hello's that stood out to me. Kudos to their parents... and school, you are all raising wonderful gentlemen.
Submitted by other on April 17, 2014

A recent graduate of Northridge Prep, I still consider myself to be a Northridge man. When I was looking for a high school, its academics were key. Northridge routinely sends students to stellar colleges including Stanford, Notre Dame, Northwestern, U of C, and Illinois. Importantly, service is also a big part of the Northridge community. An example is the all-school volunteer program with Misericordia--a community of care for people with disabilities. Instead of merely focusing on preparing your sons for college, Northridge centers on the formation of the whole person, building the spirit as well as the mind. The amazing faculty ensures that no one falls through the cracks; you are not just a face in the halls, and the teachers are not just voices in the front of the classroom. My teachers made me believe I could go anywhere and do anything. I believe choosing Northridge was best decision of my life. This school provided me a motivating environment and challenged me to reach toward academic and spiritual heights I could never have dreamed of anywhere else. Although I am now a freshman at my first-choice college (go Cardinal!), I am now and will always be a Northridge man.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

I'm a parent of a 10th grade student at Northridge. I feel so fortunate to be apart of this community. Northridge has not only fostered my son in his academics but also as young man looking to the future. I have two older children who attended other middle and high schools. Their experience was not nearly as positive as our Northridge experience. At Northridge we have faculty who go above and beyond what most schools require. Most of the faculty teach the students all through middle school in one given subject. The same is in High school. This allows for a very unique relationship and familiarity to develop. The teacher knows the strength and weaknesses of each student, thus allowing them to focus on where the student may need help . I would highly recommend Northridge prep.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2011

I have found Northridge to be a diamond in the rough.As a parent you do the checking and research to find a school that will best address and prepare your son for the future.Northridge has combined many of the values that we are looking at instilling in them.The values of faith,hard work,responsibility, and respect.If you were able to walk the halls at NRP you would see these characteristics modeled by all the teachers and administration.What has always been satisfying to my wife and I is that every teacher that our son has had has always asked how he is doing outside the classroom.They truly are interested in the complete person.Getting to know many of the boys at NRP we would have to say that they are doing a wonderful job alongside the parents at raising really good young men who are very well mannered and respectful.NRP administration as always encouraged a team concept between the school, parents and their boys. NRP does not just teach our faith they live and model it everyday.We could not think of better mentors for our son then the men at Northridge.Making a decision as to where to send your kids to get this kind of instruction is difficult but we are all very happy at NRP.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2011

My oldest son is a sophomore at Northridge and had attended since 6th grade.During that time, we have seen administration move the school forward in positive ways.With the introduction of the "hall system" middle school students mix with high school students for special projects and activities.This breaks the barriers between the different age groups and encourages friendships.It has also added numerous leadership opportunities.NRP is truly about educating the "whole" student.My son has grown academically (top-notch college prep curriculum), spiritually (unmatched teaching of the Catholic faith), athletically (outstanding athletic director and coaching staff), and socially (solid friendships formed with friends who share a common set of values). I believe my son, as well as his classmates, will be more than prepared for the future because of the foundation set at NRP. This day in age, when colleges acceptances are extremely selective, NRP students continue to be accepted at some of the country's most prestigious universities. We are constantly stopped and asked by strangers, as well as friends, what we are doing to raise such a fine young man. Our answer is always, "Northridge."
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2011

We have two sons at Northridge Prep. I truly believe that by the time they go off to college, they will be ready to meet that responsibility. Mostly, they will be ready because their father and I have done our best to prepare them to be young men of honor and integrity. But I have no doubt that they will be ready because Northridge supported the efforts we made in our own home. We have never looked to keep our sons from the inevitable hardships of the outside world, but rather try to give them the skills and strength of character necessary to meet those hardships. Northridge is helping us develop not just their academic performances, but their moral values. NRP forms leaders of intellectual distinction, men of faith and respect, men who are committed to community service and a loving family. We are not the only family by far who has had a positive experience at our school. The families here believe that when the time comes, their sons too will be ready-and their readiness will be due in great part to Northridge.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2011

Northridge Prep is in a class of its own when it comes to an authentic Catholic education! It truly is the ONLY real Catholic High School in town. The single sex education is the best thing you can do for your sons, coupled with an outstanding all male faculty. My sons would not be of the caliber intellectually, spiritually or morally if not for the support we get from NRP. They are able to participate in sports, clubs, theatre etc.. that they would not be able to if at a large school. While it does not offer all the bells and whistle and endless or should I say excessive extras, it offers a well balanced classical college prep education and prepares the young men to be quality husbands, fathers, professionals and citizens, something or culture could use more of.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2011

Our son is a sophomore at NRP and we have found it to be a very good school. Most of the teachers have been excellent. The families are dedicated to the Catholic faith and to the well-rounded education of their sons. They represent a broad cross section ethnically and economically. General mood at the school is a joyful, fired up bunch of people - teachers, families, and boys. On the one hand, we wish they would offer a few more options for sports; on the other hand, the way our culture is obsessed with year-around sports clubs and the like, we've adjusted just fine. NRP does not have the vast resources that some other private schools have, but that's ok as there is a nice "pull together" mentality among the families and teachers. My wife and I would highly recommend Northridge for the formation of virtuous, well-educated young men.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2011

Our son attended Northridge Prep School for 7 years. Today he attends one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the country. My wife and I are convinced this was made possible by the academic preparation he received at Northridge coupled with the school's reputation among college admissions counselors. Beyond that, however, our son received a top-flight education in character from the Northridge faculty and staff. Northridge delivered on its promise to educate our son.
Submitted by other on September 13, 2011

Unfortunately, Northridge Prep really does not live up to it's hype. A number of the excellent veteran teachers have been pushed out and a culture of fun and games (supposedly to build character and leadership) has moved in. Academics seem to be less important than before, and except for sports, other important offerings such as the arts are minimal at best. The leadership of the school is just not very competent. In the past, the sheltered environment of Northridge worked well as a good fit for many awkward boys who would have gotten eaten alive in public middle & high schools. That seems to be a thing of the past also. For the money, unless your boys play basketball, there are just too many better schools to choose from. I would definite send mine elsewhere.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2011

Parents (i.e. mothers in the mothers club who have nothing better to do than gossip) have too much control. For a school that absolutely cannot be beat when it comes to theology, the mothers have a terrible way of showing it through their manipulation and gossip. One, in particular comes to mind, but I digress. The North Shore mothers and some from Northwest are trying to turn Northridge into something that they have envisioned. Viva la Northridge of Shepherd, Kestler, Volino, Knox, Burns (please turn away from the dark side), Herman(s), Diem, Stenson and all the other teachers who know what the school is actually supposed to be! P.S. The current headmaster is a spineless one who doesn't know the first thing about young men and can't devote his time to the school because he has a family. Make it a rule to have a numerary headmaster!