Loyola Academy

1100 Laramie Avenue

Wilmette, IL 60091

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 14, 2024

This school is not for everyone so I understand some of the negative reviews. If your child is competitive, smart, and willing to work hard you won’t find a better school. Yes, sports are a big thing here but there are lots of alternatives. The greatest feature is the faculty which consists of people who are overqualified for their high school teaching job. Amazing educators. The Jesuit Priests are an impressive aspect of an all around great experience.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2022

Overrated Al they want is your money!
Submitted by other on December 24, 2015

I don't deny the many great teachers and qualities of this school, but our experience at Loyola was abysmal. As a freshman, our son was lost academically, had a GPA in the 1.00s, got into trouble with deans three times over petty things (molehills that they trumped up into mountains), and was forced to sign a letter stating that he wouldn't return to the school for his sophomore year. Note: In his 10 previous school years and his 5 years since then, my son consistently did well academically and never had a single disciplinary incident. He's currently on the Dean's List at a major university. My coworker (and fellow Chicago resident) had similar stories about his two sons--one was expelled by Loyola while the other struggled academically there before moving on to another Catholic school and becoming a straight-A student. The other thing I didn't like about Loyola was that those of us receiving monetary grants were forced to attend a ritzy gala that lauded the school's generous donors. It felt like they were using us "paupers" as warm bodies to fill the room--a humiliating experience. It seems that if you're not of the North Shore ilk, it's hard to fit in at this school. This review may be harsh, but so was our experience. We've been very happy with the six other schools we've sent our kids to over the years.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2015

This school is more than happy to take the now near $75,000 from families for four years of an average education which can be comparably found at many good public schools. They seem to emphasize and celebrate their athletes, and even with poor/average grades those are the students that are accepted to their choice colleges. Our daughter was a Loyola Scholar every single semester, with a 3.98 GPA and completed all honors/AP classes. She applied to 10 colleges with the advice of her college counselor and was accepted in only her bottom two choices. It was as though none of her achievements were even recognized. I had close friends who graduated from Loyola Academy many years ago when it was very different. This school is now operated as a business, money-making machine. It's all about their image on the outside, while the inside behind closed doors are well protected little secrets such as this harsh truth. My advice to families considering this school is to consider elsewhere, there simply are plenty of better options for your children's futures. We only wish we knew then what we know now!!!
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2014

Fine school, terrible leadership. Administration cares only about giving honors diplomas to every student to make the school seem better than it is. The school has great teachers and sharp students, but no school's honors program should take themselves seriously if they have 80% of the graduating class earning an honors diploma. Loyola is all about how much a parent can complain, so the school gives them what they want. The last thing Loyola would want is to have their scores compared to the public schools around it...
Submitted by other on March 23, 2014

Loyola Academy is one of the best schools in the state. Loyola puts emphasis on being a good person as well as excelling academically. Loyola shapes its students into wonderful well rounded people ready for college. I do not know someone I don't like at the school. Loyola has a great educational foundation and has great teachers and great resources. Loyola has an aura around it like no other. All are welcome at this great school. If you are even considering it, go to Loyola because it will be the best decision you will make.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2014

Prejudiced foundation. Nothing more to be said. Minority students stay away - see if you can find more than one visible minority teacher!
Submitted by other on August 02, 2013

Terrific. Only the best need apply here. Top school in the state all around. The only complaints are from those that are not good enough to succeed here.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2013

My child is a freshman so it may be a little early to write a review but for now my family and I couldn't be happier. She is in a mix of honors and regular classes and we have found the teachers and administration to be excellent. There are may opportunities to excel or to get help depending on the needs of the child.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2013

This school is focused on one thing & one thing only athletics, if your child struggles academically & is not an allstar athlete they could care less & show them the door mid year. But if they are an athlete then they come up with a plan & protect them. Beyond disappointed in the admins at Loyola, they could care less on the impact of their actions on struggling students future unless they are an all star athlete.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2012

Loyola Academy is an incredibly competitive Jesuit/Roman Catholic preparatory school. Only about 50% of the prospective students who take Loyola's entrance exam are admitted to the freshman class. Loyola Academy has an excellent honors and advanced placement programs as well as the Dumbach scholars program and the Clavius scholars program. Loyola's athletic and extra curricular programs are second to none in Illinois.
Submitted by student on November 11, 2010

Academically, the school is quite good. I took Ancient Greek (and loved it), excelled academically, went to a good college, etc. However, I would not recommend this school to anyone. They allow extensive and extreme bullying to continue unheeded. And, while most teachers are quite good, the school never, ever fires teachers that have been there for years, even if these teachers are abysmal.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2010

My son is a sophomore at Loyola and I truly believe that the school is setting him in the right path to succeed in college. Three of my husband's cousins have attended Loyola academy, one will be finishing medical school next year, the other works in the financial sector and the other is an accountant. The teachers communicate to you any concerns that they may have for your children and they really push the kids to achieve all that they can; you know where my other 4 children will attend. Go Ramblers!!
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2010

I have put two boys through Loyola and it is a wonderful school. My first son graduated and is at Dartmouth and my second will graduated next year. My third son will be starting in the fall. They all have their own gifts and the first two have thrived at Loyola. The true gift of Loyola is an emphasis on service and doing the right thing in life.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2007

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