Compare International Schools in River Forest, United States

Trinity High School

Instructs in English

Ages 14 - 18 years

Fees $17,784

Type Girls School

Trinity High School is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school in River Forest, Illinois, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside a bespoke curriculum tailored to advanced students. Located at 7574 Division Street, the campus houses a 1,200-seat Auditorium, Health and Fitness Center, and on-site Cafeteria, with the Trinity Library providing tutoring partnerships with Dominican University and a loanable suite of Chromebooks and devices. The IB program, introduced for juniors and seniors, comprises six courses (three higher level, three standard level) plus Theory of Knowledge, the 4,000-word Extended Essay, and Creativity, Action and Service. Trinity became Illinois' first Catholic, all-girls IB World School in 1994. About 56% of students are IB or pre-IB, and many pursue the full diploma or certificates; exams occur in May in the SMG Athletic Facility. The campus also supports Visual and Performing Arts, with IB Art and Film options and an arts and clubs program.

Location

Trinity High School is located at 7574 Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305. It sits in River Forest, a western suburb of Chicago. Transportation routes draw from 56 Chicago-area ZIP codes, with pickup locations ranging from school parking lots to Metra train stations.

Stages

High school (grades 9-12). Freshman and sophomore students may enroll in Pre-IB courses; juniors and seniors may participate in Trinity's IB Diploma Program or IB certificate courses.

Type

All-girls Catholic high school offering the International Baccalaureate Program.

Additional learning support

Student Services provides a four-year school counseling program with assigned counselors; services include short-term counseling, academic planning, college resources, and group counseling referrals.

Country affiliation

USA

Religious affiliation

Catholic

Bus service

Transportation provides routes from 56 Chicago-area ZIP codes, with pickup locations ranging from school parking lots to Metra train stations. Northside routes include Norwood Park Metra Station - Northwest Highway and Raven - Pick-up 6:35 AM, Drop-off 4:05 PM.

Application & entrance fees

- Entrance exam fee (incoming freshmen): USD 25 for the HSPT entrance exam.
- Non‑refundable registration/deposit: USD 650 payable at registration and applied to the student's tuition. The USD 650 registration fee is non‑refundable.

Tuition (2026–2027 academic year)

- Annual tuition (2026–2027): USD 17,784 (this figure is the total tuition for the school year, and is stated as the tuition amount for 2026–2027). The stated tuition total includes the registration/deposit component described above.

Payment plans and per‑installment amounts (based on USD 17,784 total tuition)

- Annual (In Full): single payment of USD 17,784 due by July 15, 2026.
- Semiannual (Bi‑annually): two installments of USD 8,892 (July and December).
- Quarterly (4 installments / called Blocks): four installments of USD 4,446 (July, October, January, April).
- Monthly (10 payments): ten installments of USD 1,778.40 (July through April).
- Bi‑monthly (20 payments): twenty installments of USD 889.20 (twice monthly, July through April).

- Families are required to enroll in the school's tuition management system (FACTS) and choose one of the available plans; if a plan is not selected by May 31, the family will be placed on a monthly invoice plan. Payment dates are typically the 5th and/or the 20th of the month; other customized schedules may be arranged by contacting the Business Office by the stated deadline.

Additional mandatory fees and fundraising obligations

- General Fee: USD 175 (covers tuition processing, retreat, standardized testing, lock, and yearbook).
- Graduation Fee (seniors): USD 125.
- Pre‑IB fee (if applicable): USD 150.
- Mandatory fundraising responsibilities for all students: Walkathon USD 200 and Spring Raffle USD 200 (fundraising shortfalls are billed to the family's account).
- Other fees not covered by annual tuition (examples that will be posted to the family's FACTS account): school uniform items, PE T‑shirt, course fees for selected classes, books and materials, athletic uniform, field trip fees, IB exam/assessment fees, dual‑enrollment costs (Dominican University dual‑enrollment program), retreats and service‑trip costs, and international trip costs.

Uniforms and typical uniform costs (examples from school apparel store)

- School apparel and uniform items are available through the Blazer Shop; example retail prices posted in the shop include items such as polo shirts (approximately USD 39), crew/sweat shirts (USD 30–55), sweatpants (USD 33–40), and T‑shirts (USD 17–23). These amounts are sample item prices and individual uniform requirements and quantities will determine total uniform cost for a family.

Billing, penalties, and returned‑payment charges

- A delinquency/collection charge of USD 30 is assessed for each installment in default. A fee of USD 30 will be charged for any check or credit card refused for non‑sufficient funds. Additional attorney and collection costs may be charged if the account is placed with counsel.
- Consequences for being in financial arrears include temporary removal of family access to grade reporting, withholding of official transcripts, and seniors being ineligible for Senior Prom and Graduation until accounts are brought current.

Tuition refund policy (withdrawal schedule and refund amounts)

- Withdraw before school begins in August: full refund of tuition except the non‑refundable registration fee (USD 650).
- Withdraw after first day of school but before the 1st Block ends: refund of all payments made in excess of one‑fourth (1/4) of the tuition.
- Withdraw after the 2nd Block begins but before the 3rd Block begins: refund of all payments made in excess of one‑half (1/2) of the tuition.
- Withdraw after the 3rd Block begins but before the 4th Block begins: refund of all payments made in excess of three‑fourths (3/4) of the tuition.
- Withdraw after the 4th Block begins: no refund available.

Boarding fees

- Not applicable: Trinity High School operates as a day high school; there is no boarding program and therefore no boarding fees.

How fees are billed and posted

- All fees and additional charges are posted to the family's FACTS account (tuition management system). Families must establish a FACTS account to receive timely billing notices and to participate in the available payment plans.

Fee payment options

- Credit card payments: the registration/deposit form accepts major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB) for initial deposit/registration.
- FACTS: families enroll in FACTS for payment plans and electronic payments (FACTS supports automated bank/ACH and card payments within the FACTS system). Checks may be used for payments where accepted; returned checks and refused card transactions incur fees as noted above.

Summary of the main numeric items (quick reference)

- Annual tuition (2026–2027): USD 17,784.
- Registration/deposit (non‑refundable; applied to tuition): USD 650.
- Entrance exam fee (incoming freshmen): USD 25.
- General Fee: USD 175; Graduation Fee (seniors): USD 125; Pre‑IB fee (if applicable): USD 150.
- Mandatory fundraising: Walkathon USD 200 and Spring Raffle USD 200 (per student).

Uniform Requirement

The school has a dress code. Students may wear dress pants, skirts, jeans without rips or tears, or their grade school uniform.

Food Options

The school has a full-service cafeteria run by Country House Kitchen Company. Breakfast and lunch are served daily; the menu includes signature homemade pizza dough, fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and a daily pasta bar with homemade sauces. Students use their ID to purchase meals.

Governance and Ownership

The school was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and is presently sponsored by Dominican Veritas Ministries. The Board of Directors provides governance and oversight of Trinity High School.

Curriculum

IB is Trinity High School's honors curriculum for juniors and seniors. It is a six-subject program with three higher-level and three standard-level courses; the Diploma Program includes the Theory of Knowledge course, the Extended Essay (4,000 words), and the Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) component. Trinity became the first Catholic and all-girls IB World School in Illinois in 1994. About 56% of students are enrolled in IB or pre-IB, with many pursuing the full diploma or certificates. Diploma candidates sit for exams in May of their junior and senior years. Since 1994, over 1,400 Trinity students have pursued the IB diploma or certificates.

Student Teacher Ratio

10:1 Student Teacher Ratio

Exam Results

IB Diploma pass rate is about 90%. Since 1994, over 1,400 Trinity students have chosen either the full IB Diploma or IB Certificates, reflecting long-standing IB participation at Trinity.

Higher Education Progression

100% college acceptance. The Class of 2026 earned $29.2 million in scholarships.

Gifted and Talented

IB is offered to academically talented and motivated students; about 56% of the student body is enrolled in IB or pre-IB, with many pursuing the Diploma or certificates.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school provides social and emotional learning through the Student Services Department. The mission is to promote positive self-development, academic achievement, social responsibility, and lifelong learning. The School Counseling Program is a four-year comprehensive program that is proactive and involves the student, parents, and teachers. Counselors are assigned to students who move with them from grade to grade and act as student advocates. Counselors meet with students to discuss short-term counseling, community referrals, career resources and information, chronic attendance concerns, problem-solving issues, overall academic progress and supports, academic planning, group counseling referrals, and college information.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through Trinity's School Counseling Program, which provides comprehensive academic, social, and emotional counseling and offers short-term counseling and referrals to additional supports as needed.

History

Trinity High School traces its origins to Rosary House High School, founded in River Forest, Illinois, by Sinsinawa Dominican sisters in 1917–1918. Rosary House organized as Trinity High School and received a charter on October 20, 1925; the school opened its Division Street building in September 1926. It remained a single-gender Catholic high school for girls, with lay teachers joining later. The school expanded through the 1940s and 1960s, including a west wing and a 1963 auditorium; by 1968 the faculty included 37 sisters, 24 lay teachers, two priests, and about 1,200 students. Trinity's mission centers on faith, leadership, and service as it guides the school into the future.

Community

Trinity High School is a Catholic, single-gender girls' school rooted in the Sinsinawa Dominican tradition, with a community that emphasizes faith, knowledge and truth. The school has offered clubs such as Art Club, French Club, Music Club (Cecilian), and Glee Club, and has a history of student journalism and theatre through This'n That and Shakespeare productions. The Trinity community encourages students and faculty to think, work, and play with energy and purpose, a spirit reflected in alumnae who make a difference. The culture centers on an ethic of care, belonging and lifelong learning as students prepare for leadership in church and community.

Facilities Overview

The campus is located at 7574 Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305. The school houses a 1200-seat proscenium Auditorium with a large stage (50 feet wide by 29 feet deep) and state‑of‑the‑art lighting and sound systems; renovations are underway to upgrade heating, air conditioning, and seating. Auditorium rental is available; the Facilities Rental Application and contact information are provided. The Health and Fitness Center and Cafeteria are on campus with dedicated hours. The Trinity Library hosts events, provides research instruction, offers tutoring with Dominican University partners, and lends Chromebooks, chargers, headphones, and calculators. IB exams are held in the SMG Athletic Facility.

Sports Facilities

Trinity offers Fall, Winter, and Spring sports: Fall includes Cross Country, Flag Football, Golf, Swimming, and Tennis; Winter includes Basketball, Bowling, Competitive Cheer, and Competitive Dance; Spring includes Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, and Track & Field. The Athletic Department emphasizes teamwork, faith, knowledge and truth, and aims to provide experiences that foster lifelong learning through sport. The program is led by Athletic Director Ken Trendel, with a commitment to qualified coaching and high-quality facilities. IB exams are held in the SMG Athletic Facility, reflecting the campus' integration of athletics with its academic programs.

Academic Facilities

The International Baccalaureate Program is a core offering, with junior and senior IB courses and the Diploma or Certificate options, supporting rigorous, globally minded study. IB exams are conducted in the SMG Athletic Facility. The Trinity Library provides research instruction, one‑on‑one tutoring, and access to loanable devices such as Chromebooks, chargers, headphones, and calculators. Trinity supports technology-enhanced learning with a 1:1 BYOD program, and a recommended Windows-based device configuration for students. Visual Arts and Performing Arts spaces offer IB Art and Design courses, and the arts are integrated with the curriculum through exhibitions, events, and student portfolios.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The Visual Arts program offers IB Art and Design and IB Film, with frequent student exhibitions and portfolio development; clubs include the National Art Honor Society, Trinity Advertising and Design Team (TAD), and Art Club. Performing Arts encompass Dance, Choir, Theater, and Sunflower Orchestra, with an on‑site Auditorium as a performance hub. The Library hosts author visits, student film premieres, festivals, poetry slams, and collaborates with Dominican University for tutoring; the library also supports daily checkouts of Chromebooks, chargers, headphones, and calculators.

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers a robust lineup of honor societies and academic clubs, including National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and National French, Italian, and Spanish Honor Societies. Quill and Scroll, International Thespian Society, National Science Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society are available to recognize excellence across disciplines. Competitive and STEM activities include Math Team, Science Olympiad, Robotics (including Girls Who Code/Robotics), Mock Trial, and Model UN.

Arts & Creative

The Visual Arts program features Dance (Blazerette Dance Club), Choir, Theater, and Sunflower Orchestra. Art Club and Drama Club provide hands-on creative outlets, and Music Mix Masters offers additional performance opportunities. The school also hosts other performing arts initiatives through student groups and ensembles.

Cultural & Language

National French Honor Society, National Italian Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society are offered, along with an American Sign Language Club. The European Student Union provides cultural exchange opportunities. The school fosters language and cultural engagement through these societies and clubs.

Social & Hobbies

A broad array of clubs and organizations includes Anime Club, Drama Club, Blazer Broadcasting Club, Pep Club, Cover to Cover, Gamerz, Girls Who Code/Robotics, Model UN, Mock Trial, and many others.

Community & Service

Community service is part of student life through service initiatives and clubs. Examples include Blazers Against Cancer and Mazzuchelli Mentors.

Leadership & Professional

Class Councils (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) and Executive Council provide student leadership opportunities. Ambassadors and Athletic Ambassadors offer leadership roles within activities and athletics. Liturgy Planning Team and Trinity TLC provide service and leadership in faith-based and campus life.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Athletics are organized by season with Fall, Winter, and Spring sports. Fall includes Cross Country, Flag Football, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, and Volleyball; Winter includes Basketball, Bowling, Competitive Cheer, and Competitive Dance; Spring includes Lacrosse, Softball, Soccer, and Track. The school fields 14 sports teams.

Admissions

1) Visit Trinity High School. Families can schedule a campus tour to meet administrators, learn about Trinity's programs, and experience student life. Shadow Days are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September through May, giving prospective students a firsthand view of classes and daily routines. Tours and shadow days help families gauge fit before applying. 2) Apply for freshmen. The 2027/2028 Admissions Application opens on October 1. Applications are submitted online through the school's admissions portal and a confirmation email is sent after submission. Required items for the application include the 7th grade year-end report card, the most recent 8th grade progress report, names and emails for the teachers and middle school counselor who will submit recommendations, any IEP/504 plans or essential documents, a government-issued photo ID, and a non-refundable $60 application fee (waivers apply for some Catholic elementary students). You may log in to track admissions status as the process progresses. 3) The Admissions Interview. The admissions interview is a vital part of the process and provides an opportunity for the admissions and administrative teams to learn more about the student and family. The interview helps establish a strong partnership between families and the school and begins the relationship that informs the admissions decision. 4) Student Acceptance. Acceptances are issued on a rolling basis, with official letters indicating admission. New students are admitted on a conditional basis, contingent on continued academic growth and positive behavior both at their current school and upon arrival at Trinity. 5) Enrollment. Beginning in early January, accepted families receive the Enrollment Packet to finalize enrollment. An enrollment fee of $125 is due at enrollment and increases to $250 after January 31. The Tuition Manager assists families with tuition agreements, payment plan options, and financial aid eligibility, and guides them through available grants and scholarships. 6) Transfers. For transfer students, contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Scholarships

Premiere Dominican Scholarship: $40,000 total ($10,000 renewable annually) to students who score at the 99th percentile or higher on Trinity's entrance exam; renewable for all four years with a minimum 3.0 GPA, no serious disciplinary action, and completion of required service projects; March 1st deadline to submit the Principal letter of recommendation and personal statement. Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli Scholarship: $24,000 total ($6,000 renewable annually) to students who score at the 95th–98th percentile; renewal requirements mirror the above; March 1st deadline for recommendations and personal statement. Sinsinawa Honors Scholarship: $12,000 total ($3,000 renewable annually) to students who score at the 90th–94th percentile; renewal requirements mirror the above; March 1st deadline for recommendations and personal statement. Triss Brady Meyer Memorial Scholarship: $4,000 total ($1,000 renewable annually) awarded to an incoming freshman who is a daughter or granddaughter of a Trinity alumna; includes an essay describing the connection to Trinity. Trinity High School Legacy Scholarship: $1,000 nonrenewable scholarship awarded to an incoming freshman who is a daughter, granddaughter, or niece of a Trinity alumna; based on academic performance and leadership, character, and service qualities demonstrated during junior high years. Sister Natalie – Sister Viviana Award: $1,000 nonrenewable award presented to one incoming freshman from each of the following grade schools where the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters taught: St. Giles, St. Vincent Ferrer, and St. Luke; consideration is given to class standing, teacher/principal recommendation, leadership, character, and service.

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Compare International Schools in River Forest, United States

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Food Options

Governance and Ownership

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Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

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Community

Facilities Overview

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Academic Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities

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